W Hotels Worldwide Franchise News

Online Contest Launches in Search of Final DJ to Join This Year’s Program, Hosted at W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak
NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - W Hotels Worldwide, in collaboration with burn studios, an innovative music platform developed by burn®, a globally leading energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company, today announced the new international DJs who have been selected to participate in the second annual W Hotels & burn studios DJ Lab. In addition, a global search has launched on whotels.com/music to find the final DJ, representing Asia, to join the curated group. The DJ Lab is designed to bring together the most exciting rising DJ talent from around the globe and provide them with unprecedented mentorship and valuable tools to help them realize their full potential...

W Paris - Opéra Brings Vibrancy and Energy, Fused with the Sophisticated Radiance of Paris, to the Heart of the Eclectic 9th Arrondissement
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces today the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in France with the highly-anticipated opening of W Paris - Opéra. Owned by Barcelona-based Meridia Capital, the hotel is set inside a historic 1870s Haussman-era heritage building near Opéra Garnier, Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendome in the eclectic, historic 9th Arrondissement in Paris. Through W Hotels’ unique and distinctive programming, which is inspired by the brand’s roots in New York where it was founded in 1998, W Paris - Opéra will set a new scene in the city for both guests and Parisians alike...

Emerging International DJs to be Mentored by Top Industry Leaders Such as Cassius, Jason Bentley, Mode-F and W's Michaelangelo L'Acqua and Tour W Hotels Globally August 04, 2011 // Franchising.com // Ibiza, Spain – W Hotels Worldwide, in collaboration with burn studios, an innovative music platform developed by burn, a globally leading energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company, today unveiled the W Hotels and burn studios DJ Lab, a unique approach to supporting rising music talent. The DJ Lab has been designed to bring together the most exciting new DJ talent from around the globe and provide them with tools, information and mentorship to enhance their skills and help them realize their full potential. W Hotels and burn studios, with support from SAE Institute and Avid pro audio equipment, created this original weeklong program, which will commence at W Barcelona and conclude at the burn studios Hacienda in Ibiza, Spain...

Slated for 2015 Opening, W Mumbai will Mark W Hotels' Debut in India MUMBAI, India, Apr 05, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced plans to open W Mumbai, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in India.

Located in bustling South Central Mumbai where modern architecture intertwines with colonial cultural monuments, W Mumbai will introduce its world renowned lifestyle hotel concept to one of India's hippest cities, where the country's music, fashion, media and entertainment industries converge. Under a management contract with Jaguar Buildcon Private Limited, W Mumbai will be developed on approximately three acres of land and is expected to open by 2015. Overlooking the Mahalaxmi racecourse, the hotel will form a part of the Namaste Tower, an iconic 55-story mixed-use building designed by WS Atkins to look like clasped hands...

Slated to Open in 2014 in Mexico City's Emerging Santa Fe District, W Santa Fe will be Designed by World-Renowned Architect Richard Meier NEW YORK, Mar 31, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Accelerating growth in Latin America, W Hotels Worldwide today announced plans to open the second W Hotel in Mexico City, to be located within the bustling Santa Fe business district. Managed under an agreement between Starwood Hotels & Resorts, ALHEL and GIM Desarrollos,W Santa Fe will overlook one of the area's most stunning evergreen valleys, with spectacular views of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes. Slated to open in 2014, W Santa Fe will be part of a new build, mixed-use development, called Liberty Plaza, designed by Richard Meier, Edmonds International and Krause Sawye...

Slated to Open in 2014 in Riviera Maya, Mexico, W Kanai will be the Fifth W Retreat Worldwide, Joining W Maldives, W Bali, W Koh Samui and W Vieques Island NEW YORK, Mar 31, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- W Hotels Worldwide today announced plans to open W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya, located within an exclusive beachfront community surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mayan Rivera's lush lagoons and pristine mangroves. Nestled on the eastern coast of Mexico's magnificent Yucatan Peninsula, the 180-room Retreat is being designed by acclaimed architect Richard Meier. Owned by ALHEL and GIM Desarrollos, W Kanai will be the centerpiece of the Kanai Resort, which will include four hotels and a Beach Club.

"We are excited to further expand W's exclusive retreat portfolio with W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya, another fantastic location for the global jetsetters to escape and play when the hustle and bustle of the city gets to be too much," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien...

W Bali Provides a 'New Scene Unseen' within the Trendy Beachfront Enclave of Seminyak BALI, Indonesia, Mar 01, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- W Hotels Worldwide today unveils W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak, its third Retreat to open within the past 12 months. The newest W Retreat, W Bali is located in the trendy enclave of Seminyak and reinvents the exuberance of its locale, where designer boutiques, diverse galleries, lively restaurants, and modern cocktail bars and clubs hold court. The first W Hotel in Indonesia, W Bali brings a 'new scene unseen' to the Island through its modern design and signature bars and restaurants that allow guests and locals alike to mix and mingle or disappear into their private escape.

"As much as W has re-defined the hotel experience over the past 12 years, it is now reinterpreting the meaning of resorts," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien...

W London, Located in the Heart of London's Entertainment Scene, Celebrates the Dual Personality of the Brit LONDON, Feb 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- W Hotels Worldwide today premieres its newest flagship hotel, W London-Leicester Square, the W brand's 40th hotel globally. Set in the epicentre of London's entertainment scene, W London is situated on the corner of Leicester Square and Wardour Street, nestled between cultural Soho and the world famous square. The building, which was developed by Northern Irish property company McAleer & Rushe, stands 10-storeys tall and is veiled in translucent glass that will change colour according to the time of day, the ambience of the area or happenings within the hotel and city. The opening of W London marks a significant milestone in the W brand's global expansion, coinciding with today's opening of W Taipei...

With Panoramic Views of the Iconic 101 Tower, W Taipei Fuses the City's Natural Surroundings with Its Urban Core TAIPEI, Taiwan, Feb 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- W Hotels Worldwide today opens the doors of its 39th hotel globally, W Taipei, which is located in the buzzing central business district of Xinyi. The 405-room hotel has been designed by renowned architects G.A. Design International Ltd. of London and is encased in radiant glass. Rising 31 floors, W Taipei is the only hotel in the city with a panoramic vista of the iconic 101 Tower, one of the world's tallest buildings. Today's opening of W Taipei coincides with the opening of W London - Leicester Square, which will be the W brand's 40th hotel globally.

"W Taipei marks an important step in the global expansion of the W brand, in particular in Mainland China and the Taiwan region," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien...

Global Glam Features Exclusive Fashion and Accessories Inspired by the Unique Design Personalities of Three W Hotels – W Austin, W Taipei, and W Mexico City February 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // NEW YORK – W Hotels Worldwide today premieres the fourth season of its exclusive Global Glam fashion collection, curated by W Hotels Global Fashion Director Amanda Ross. The presentation of the latest collection of Global Glam will take place in The Box venue during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, the W brand's second time to show the line during the New York Collections. A fashionable interpretation of W Hotels' continued global growth, Global Glam features an exclusive line of fashion and accessories inspired by the unique design personalities of W Hotels around the world...

February 09, 2011 // Franchising.com // New York – W Hotels Worldwide will continue to showcase what's new and next in design with the opening of six new W Hotels around the world in 2011. Design has been at the forefront of W Hotels since the opening of the David Rockwell-designed W New York – the first ever W Hotel – more than 12 years ago and has evolved with more recent hotel openings by designers such as Patricia Urquiola (W Vieques), United Design (W Doha), and Ricardo Bofill (W Barcelona), among others. As a way to further fuel innovation in design, W Hotels has also forged unique design partnerships such as its "W Hotels Designers of the Future" award with Design Miami/Basel.

"Design has always been an integral part of the W brand," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader of W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien...

December 13, 2010 // Franchising.com // Austin, TX – W® Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, celebrates the opening of W Austin and The Residences at W Austin, the brand's 38th hotel globally. Owned and developed by Stratus Properties and the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, W Austin is located in the heart of Austin's 2nd Street District, connected to a 3,000 person capacity music and performance venue – ACL Live at The Moody Theater – that will also serve as the new home of the iconic Austin City Limits television show.

In this casually cosmopolitan city where the unconventional is enthusiastically embraced – evidenced by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird" – Austin is a perfect fit for the W brand...

Set on the North Shore of Thailand's Famed Samui Island, W Retreat Koh Samui Brings a New Dimension of Modern Design and Contemporary Lifestyle to Thailand November 01, 2010 // Franchising.com // KOH SAMUI – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today opens the doors of W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W in Southeast Asia. An all-villa beachfront resort uniquely located at the peak of the north shore of Thailand's famed Samui Island, W Koh Samui brings an alluring new dimension to Thailand through its location, forward-looking design, and vibrant contemporary lifestyle. The opening of W Koh Samui is also an important milestone as W Hotels continues to grow internationally, on track to more than double its global portfolio by 2012, reaching more than 50 hotels worldwide...

After 13 Seasons Backstage at Bryant Park, W Hotels Launches Fashion Next Program Supporting Emerging Designers and Hosts First-Ever Global Glam Fashion Presentation at Lincoln Center, Among Other Hot Fashion Happenings at Its New York City Hotels September 10, 2010 // Franchising.com // New York, NY – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today announces another industry first with the launch of Fashion Next, an integrated approach to fostering and supporting fashion designers all year long. Launching at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Fashion Next brings W from backstage, where it has hosted a VIP Lounge during the New York shows for the past 13 seasons, to center stage, where it will host the presentations of several emerging designers who W will then collaborate with beyond fashion week...

The First New W Hotel in New York City in More than Eight Years Brings Innovation and Energy to New York's Bustling and Historic Financial District August 19, 2010 // Franchising.com // New York, NY – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today announced the unveiling of W New York – Downtown and The Residences at W New York – Downtown, bringing a surge of energy to lower Manhattan. Located in New York City's historic Financial District on the corner of Washington and Albany Streets, W New York – Downtown features 58 floors of modern design and stylish amenities in Manhattan's fastest growing residential destination. Developed by The Moinian Group, W New York – Downtown is W Hotels' first residential development in Manhattan, offering a world-class contemporary lifestyle experience for guests and residents alike...

Located in Taipei's electric commercial, cultural and entertainment centre of Xinyi, the Ultra Stylish W Taipei will Open in December 2010, Increasing the W Portfolio in Asia Pacific WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced plans to open W Taipei hotel in late 2010, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in Taiwan. Located in the buzzing Central Business District of Xinyi - where iconic modern architecture intertwines with soulful Taiwanese cultural monuments and the world's third tallest building - W Taipei will introduce the lifestyle hotel concept to one of Asia's hippest cities where Taiwan's music, fashion and entertainment industries converge. Perfectly situated in the centre of Taipei's business, financial, retail and entertainment hub, the hotel also caters to leisure seekers intent on insider access to the nearby nightlife spots which set the trends for the city's electric party set...

In a Continued Commitment to Expand Globally in Primary Destinations including London, Paris and Hong Kong, W Unveils Plans to Open its First Hotel in the UAE May 03, 2010 // Franchising.com // Abu Dhabi, UAE – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has signed an agreement with Belbadi, a local UAE multidisciplinary corporation, to bring the design-led lifestyle brand to the United Arab Emirates in 2013. Located on the waterfront of Al Bateen Wharf, W Abu Dhabi will be part of a multi-component development, including high-end retail stores, restaurants and residences and will offer stunning views over the marina and the open sea. The hotel will feature around 350 stylish guest rooms, including 25 suites and two "Extreme Wow" suites (W's interpretation of a Presidential Suite), a signature spa with 12 treatment rooms, three restaurants, a lounge and a rooftop night club...

Design Miami's Renowned Designers of the Future Award is Renamed for the First Time, "W Hotels Designers of the Future Award" Official Announcement of the Award Winners Took Place This Morning at Salone del Mobile April 15, 2010 // Franchising.com // Milan, Italy – As a reflection of design leadership and innovation, W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster, today announced a partnership with Design Miami/ Basel, the most prominent and substantive forum for international design. This new alliance kicked off this morning at Salone del Mobile in Milan, where Design Miami/ Basel announced its annual Designers of the Future Award, which is now known for the first time as the "W Hotels Designers of the Future Award." The renowned Award, launched by Design Miami/ Basel in 2006, recognizes young, emerging designers whose work reflects exceptional innovation and beauty in limited-edition design...

SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE) - Crowning an industry-leading, employee-driven green program, the four-diamond W San Francisco made history this week by earning the first LEED certification of an existing building belonging to a major hotel brand. With its Silver LEED certification, W San Francisco becomes only the seventh hotel in the United States to receive the recognition for an existing building. Stringent criteria for an existing building certification measure "operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts," according to the U.S. Green Building Council, which administers LEED.

"For our guests, the green experience at W San Francisco is a seamless part of their overall W experience, which is extremely gratifying for us," said Michael Pace, W San Francisco's General Manager, and a sought-after speaker on green business practices...

Amid the Undiscovered Beauty and Tranquility of Vieques Island, Eight Miles off the Coast of Puerto Rico, W's First Retreat in the Caribbean Creates a New Standard for Modern Travel April 02, 2010 // Franchising.com // NEW YORK - W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has unveiled W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, the W brand's 37th hotel globally and its first retreat within North America. Owned by REIG CAPITAL, through its affiliate Vieques Hotel Partners, W Vieques is located only eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico and opens as the second W Retreat in the world, following the successful opening of W Retreat & Spa – Maldives in 2006. As W Hotels continues its transformation into a global powerhouse, on track to expand its portfolio to more than 50 hotels by the end of 2011, W is slated to open nine new hotels this year, including two retreat properties in Bali and Koh Samui, Thailand...