WORLD PROPERTY CHANNEL ®

(NEW YORK, NY) -- W Hotels Worldwide is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the completion of a $40 million renovation at  its 688-room New York property.

"Innovation has been central to the W brand since its inception," says Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts. "In just 10 years, W Hotels has evolved from a New York-centric concept to a worldwide phenomenon."

Company officials say they plan to triple the W Hotel's global footprint by 2011, expanding into primary destinations from Dubai to Shanghai, Hong Kong to London, Athens to Barcelona and Hoboken, NJ to  South Beach, FL. 

"Our renovated guestrooms are a celebration of the innovation, design and unique style W has led over the past 10 years," says Edward Maynard, General Manager, W New York. Host Hotels owns the property.

Eva Zeigler

"In addition to celebrating our 10-year milestone as the first W Hotel to open its doors, we are excited to share the property's sophisticated, contemporary and clever new design with our guests who will continue to enjoy our signature Whatever/Whenever promise in guestrooms that have been designed specifically to their travel needs."

Nadia Biski, a partner at BBG-BBGM, a New York-based global interior design firm, says "BBG-BBGM's innovative design provides a unique platform to layer in W signature experiences and programming."

Edward Maynard

Adds Vera Manoukian, Area Managing Director, W Hotels of New York, "New York is the epicenter of fashion, design, music and entertainment, all passions of the W brand.

"As the category buster and leading innovator, W Hotels will continue to refuel our cool in New York City with upcoming revitalization projects, including the renovations of W New York-Times Square and W New York-Union Square in 2009."