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                                                                    Exhibit 3.96

                            CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

                                       OF

                      MeriStar Sanibel Inn Company, L.L.C.

1.   The name of the limited liability company is MeriStar Sanibel Inn Company,
L.L.C.

2.   The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County
of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of
Formation of MeriStar Sanibel Inn Company, L.L.C. this Thirtieth day of
September, 1998.

                                   /s/ Christopher L. Bennett
                                       -------------------------
                                       Christopher L. Bennett
                                   By: Authorized Person