W History
Combining the personality and style of an independent hotel with the reliability, consistency and attentive service of a major business hotel, W Hotels® has redefined the upscale hotel experience - becoming the most successful new hotel brand in the industry.
It began with the recognition that there are customers who seek a balance between style and substance - in their own lives, as in the destinations they choose. Each W hotel embodies this balance with a strikingly modern approach to design that is as refreshing, accessible and comfortable as one's own living space, and an emphasis on comfort, warm, attentive service and exceptional amenities.
The W experience began with the W New York (49th St. and Lexington), which opened its doors in December of 1998. An instant phenomenon, its success drove the development of more than a dozen new properties in exciting destinations - including Sydney, Los Angeles, Honolulu and New Orleans - in an unprecedented two-year span. By the end of 2002, W is welcoming guests in San Diego, two locations in Chicago , and New York Times Square.
Each hotel also offers signature restaurant and bar areas that attract not only the hotel guests, but in-the-know local residents as well. A collaboration with renowned chef Drew Nieporent led to the success of the restaurant Heartbeat in the first W New York, followed by Earth & Ocean at W Seattle and Icon at W New York - The Court. Following the creative excellence established by Drew are Gail Deffarari of XYZ at W San Francisco, and Todd English of Olives at W New York - Union Square.
It's an approach that reflects the W vision of the hotel as a wonderful gathering place, much like the grand hotels of the early 1900s. Now, W has become the modern destination where all of life's special moments can be celebrated.