W Hotels News
W Dubai – Al Habtoor City opens to guests
W Hotels Worldwide is debuting the W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, the brand’s first hotel in the Emirate. Owned by the Al Habtoor Group, the design-led lifestyle brand is set to shake up the destination with its rooftop W Lounge, pulsating WET pool deck and innovative fashion and music happenings. The opening marks the W brand’s second outpost in the Middle East, following the debut of W Doha in 2009.
W Edinburgh set for 2021 opening in Scotland
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced it will debut the W Hotels brand in Scotland with W Edinburgh. Opening in 2021 and set to reinvigorate the city’s traditional hospitality scene, the hotel will be part of TH Real Estate’s Edinburgh St James scheme, which is set to complete in 2020.
Breaking Travel News interview: Ignace Bauwens, Complex General Manager, Al Habtoor City, Dubai
Breaking Travel News editor Chris O’Toole here chats with Ignace Bauwens, Complex General Manager, The St Regis Dubai, W Dubai, and The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City, about the major Starwood investment in the United Arab Emirates and what the three new properties will bring to the destination.
W Hotels prepares for Amsterdam debut
This September, W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will make its much arrival in the Dutch capital with W Amsterdam. The debut of the contemporary design-led lifestyle brand will ignite the city with its electrifying style, signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy and a full calendar of exclusive W Happenings, showcasing what’s new and next in design, fashion and music.
W London – Leicester Square celebrates 20 years of Britpop
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic Oasis Vs. Blur UK chart battle, W London – Leicester Square has teamed up with the original lady of Britpop Lauren Laverne to launch The Britpop Collection, a vinyl library available to guests through room service. Curated by radio presenter and former musician Lauren Laverne, The Britpop Collection features 40 handpicked vinyl records available for hotel guests to kick back and enjoy from the comfort of their room.
W Retreat & Spa - Maldives appoints new general manager
W Retreat & Spa - Maldives has announced the appointment of its new general manager, Mark O’Sullivan. A native of Ireland, O’Sullivan brings to the retreat over 17 years of experience providing strategic and inspirational leadership. Prior to joining Starwood, he also served with Hyatt, InterContinental, The Kensington Hotel and most recently served as the general manager at Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort in Thailand.
General manager appointed ahead of W Amsterdam opening
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Igor Buercher as general manager for W Amsterdam hotel, as the iconic brand prepares to debut its unique style of modern luxury in the Dutch capital this autumn. Buercher has recently joined W Amsterdam from the landmark Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, where he has been General Manager since 2013, and brings with him a wealth of experience having been part of the Starwood team for the past 19 years.
W Doha launches SnapChat profile
W Doha Hotel & Residences, the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Qatar, recently launched a SnapChat account to reach global travellers and the local community with engaging content. The hotel is not only the first business in Qatar to start communicating with followers via the app, but also the first hotel to launch the platform globally.
W Hotels continues expansion in China
The stylish new 349-room W Beijing - Chang’an has opened its doors. This is the latest addition to Starwood’s growing portfolio of nearly 140 operating hotels in Greater China, with a strong pipeline of more than 130 hotels to come.
W Hotels boost luxury portfolio in Thailand
W Hotels is planning to debut its third hotel in Thailand with W Retreat Phuket - Phang Nga Bay. Scheduled to open in January 2018, the W Retreat will offer a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant and a specialty restaurant and bar. It will feature 120 square metres of modern meeting and event space; FIT, a well-equipped workout facility and swimming pool; and a contemporary spa with six treatment rooms.
Starwood plans W Hotel in Brisbane
Starwood Hotels is set to debut the iconic W Hotels brand in Brisbane, in the state of Queensland, Australia. Scheduled to open in early 2018 as part of a mixed-use development, W Brisbane will bring a new interpretation of modern luxury to George Street at the western end of the central business district, overlooking the Brisbane River.
New appointment for W London
W London are appointmenting Robert Wattie as the hotel’s new Beverage & Food Manager. Reporting to Conrad Patterson, Head of Ignite Operations for Ignite Group who manage the W London outlets, and Coen van Niersen, General Manager of W London – Leicester Square, Wattie will oversee W London’s vibrant W Lounge with its creative cocktail menu, renowned W Rock Tea and chilled-out W Does Brunch on Sundays.