W Istanbul

Starwood to open a W hotel in London

03-Sep-08 Alyson Cook

With a focus on contemporary luxury and whimsical style, W London-Leicester Square will be built on the site of the former Swiss Centre building in the heart of the film premiere capital, Leicester Square. The new hotel will feature 194 luxurious guest rooms and 10 two-level, luxury branded residences, as well as a signature spa and fitness facility.

"As part of the W brand's global expansion, W London-Leicester Square will provide a unique alternative for our global guests while facilitating their discovery of one of the world's most fashionable cities," said Michael Wale, senior vice president director operations, North West Europe, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

"W London-Leicester Square will offer escape, exclusivity and innovative design in the heart of London's most dynamic district."

Part of a 10-story, mixed-use development, W London-Leicester Square will be the newest hotel to join the W Hotels brand's growing portfolio in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. By the opening of W London-Leicester Square in 2010, W Hotels will have doubled the size of its property portfolio globally.

W London-Leicester Square's 194 rooms include nine suites, two WOW Suites and one Extreme WOW Suite, all featuring custom-made furnishings, W's signature "munchie boxes" stocked with exclusive amenities, and the W bed, a luxurious ensemble featuring a feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose-down comforter.

Leicester Square is host to numerous high-profile movie premiers and celebrity events throughout the year and W London-Leicester Square will provide an exciting new venue for such events, while serving as a sophisticated urban sanctuary for discerning travellers and local insiders. The hotel's vibrant and highly desirable location gives guests access to the city's finest theatres, restaurants, lounges and nightclubs and is within walking distance to Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.

W London-Leicester Square will also provide guests with exclusive Whatever/Whenever® service, a 24-hour concierge that provides whatever guests want - from box seats at a Premier League game to a private shopping excursion at Harrods - whenever they want it.

W Manchester is also set to open in 2010. The Ian Simpson-designed hotel will boast approximately 160 guest rooms, a signature spa, fitness facility, a retail store, and a destination restaurant.

W Istanbul opened in April amid the redevelopment of the Akaretler Row Houses in Besiktas. It features 136 rooms including the Spice Market restaurant.

W Minneapolis - The Foshay opened on 13 August, and W Scottsdale, Arizona, opens tomorrow (5 September).

www.whotels.com