tw1tch, welcome to FT. The advanced search feature of FT will bring up a number of threads in the Starwood forum on some easier routes to Gold status. One of those threads with relatively recent posts is
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418484.
Your *wood Mastercard may also offer such a route.
If you can stretch it, see if Platinum status is within your reach in a calendar year as the hotel recognition benefits are best at that level.