We
like to think we're pretty hip.
We
may not be 20 anymore, but we still know what's hot when we see
it, whether it's a pair of sleek black leather boots or the next
big trend in hotels. And believe us W Hotels are all that
and then some.
Wait,
we know what you're thinking. Hotel chains lack originality. Yes,
some do...for some chains, a room in San Diego is just a carbon
copy of a poorly decorated room in Houston or another one in Madison,
Wisconsin. A stuffy, claustrophobic room with wild striped comforters,
cheap faux brass lamps that reminds you of, yes, yet another hotel
room.
We
want more. For those of us who travel frequently, we want to walk
into a room and sigh, feeling immediately at ease. We want a cushy
bed with a soft, fluffy comforter. We want a spacious, open atmosphere
that resonates style without being overbearing and obnoxious.
We want sophisticated decor, not something left over from the
1980s. We want a hotel that caters to business travelers, but
doesn't forget that we need more than just a bed at the end of
the night. We need a home away from home.
And
that's where W Hotels come in. When we first stayed at a W (in
Atlanta earlier this year), we became so enamored of the W philosophy
(not to mention the fine amenities, which we'll tell you more
about later) that we felt like shouting it from the rooftops.
But since we're not completely insane (yet), we decided to do
the next best thing: write a story about our experience for you,
our loyal readers. After all, we know you're hip too.
Founded
in 1998 and part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a
total of 20 W Hotels will be open by the end of 2001, including
new properties in Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego.
A W hotel room is luxurious without being frilly or ostentatious.
A W room is simple, almost Zen-like with its cool, fresh color
schemes, emphasizing the things that really matter to us: comfort,
technology, style and convenience (although we'd really recommend
better quality hair dryers).
So
far we've experienced three of the 14 operational W hotels --
Atlanta, Los Angeles Westwood and New York. And even though the
W hotels all have the same fine amenities, each one has its own
distinct feel and flavor. We're starting with the following three
reviews and will be adding more to the list as we experience them.
So stay tuned!
A T L A N T A
We stayed at the W Atlanta while on assignment, testing out the new Jaguar X-Type. It was this hotel that hooked us, got us thinking about possibly writing a story about the W chain. The rooms, so spacious and soft, made us almost not want to leave. Almost -- keep in mind we were testing a new Jaguar, after all.
We also enjoyed the hotel lobby, with its comfy lounge feel and selection of books. The lobby reminded us of a huge living room, where we could sit back and relax after a long day. Located in Perimeter Center, an upscale northern suburb of Atlanta, the W Atlanta opened in February 1999, the second W Hotel to debut.
Its location is pretty central: 20 minutes from the Buckhead District, and only 45 minutes from Hartsfield International Airport.
With its 252 guest rooms and 22 suites, W Atlanta provided the perfect combination of business luxury and Southern hospitality.
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L O S A N G E L E S
Just 20 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport, W Los Angeles is located in a secluded area of Westwood. We liked the hotel's proximity to the shops and activity of Westwood, and how even though we were right in the middle of it all, we still felt nestled in a luxurious hideaway. And call us superficial, but we also liked being greeted by the W's employees -- handsome hard-bodied men dressed in form-fitting black clothing. However, we thought the W Los Angeles seemed to sacrifice good service for good looks. For example, Mojo, the W's restaurant, is aesthetically pleasing with amazing decor, lighting and attractive waitstaff, but we had to send back our food twice to be cooked to our liking. And the restaurant, which serves Nuevo Latino cuisine, was blaring music that didn't fit the image Mojo was striving to achieve...and frankly, was too loud for the 6 p.m. dinner crowd.
Our room, like all that we've experienced in the W chain, was expertly decorated and comfortable. The pillowtop beds (standard in all W rooms) are by far the most comfortable we've ever experienced in a hotel. Although we did enjoy the comforts of the our room (and the pool view), we were disappointed in what seemed to be a security issue in our suite: the room door didn't automatically close behind us, which we didn't notice until after taking a nap and a shower.
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N E W Y O R K
union square
Housed in New York's old Guardian Life Building, the W New York Union Square has (so far) been our favorite W hotel. Completely stylish, the 270-room hotel embraces the gorgeous architecture and feel of the historic building, which has undergone extensive renovations. The overall feel is reminiscent of the grandeur of an early 20th century hotel with a distinctly modern touch. Details such as the gold-topped Corinthian marble columns found in the hotel's ballroom are unique -- details that just can't be found in newly constructed buildings. The elaborate ceilings and immense iron staircase in the lobby are breathtaking.
The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating and the hotel location in Union Square is beyond excellent. We enjoyed the atmosphere (and food) of Olives, the hotel's restaurant, but could've done without the seemingly mile-long walk to the restrooms (which were upstairs). In all fairness, the staff later told us the reason behind the odd location was to prevent people from coming off the street and using the facilities. Makes sense.
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We've compiled a list of the remaining W Hotels on which we'll be reporting soon. Here you'll learn the basics - such as amenities, location and the number of guest rooms.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST
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