Starwood Hotels to move headquarters to Connecticut

* Move planned for January 2012

* Starwood cites cost savings, environment

ATLANTA Nov 18 (Reuters) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc (HOT.N) plans to relocate its global headquarters to Connecticut from New York in 2012 and bring more than 800 jobs to the state, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell said on Wednesday.

The governor's office said in a statement that Starwood's move to Stamford, Connecticut, from White Plains, New York, was planned for January 2012. The Starwood offices would be located at the waterfront Harbor Point development in Stamford.

Frits van Paasschen, president and chief executive of Starwood, which operates hotels under the Sheraton, St. Regis and Westin brands, said cost savings and environmental factors influenced the location change.

"Not only did the State of Connecticut provide meaningful incentives that translate to a savings of 20 percent per year in rent, but we will also have the opportunity to design office space that reflects Starwood's leadership in global hospitality, design and brand-building, as well as our commitment to the environment and our communities," van Paasschen said in the statement from Gov. Rell's office.

The statement added that Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development will assist with a $9.5 million loan and up to $75 million in urban and industrial site reinvestment tax credits. Starwood also expects to receive up to $5 million in sales tax exemptions on building materials through the Connecticut Development Authority, the statement said.

The move is expected to create more than 800 jobs in Connecticut within two years.

(Reporting by Karen Jacobs)