W-hotel cover

SYDNEY, Australia, June 13 / Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., opens its first overseas W hotel this month with W Sydney. The hotel, located at the historical Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, part of a luxury residential and marina complex, opens for business June 12th. This brings the total number of open properties to 11.

W Sydney, the first W property outside of North America will feature W Hotel trademarks throughout with an emphasis on urban style and comfort. A five minute stroll from the Central Business District, the W Sydney represents an alternative for travelers – a hotel which combines the personality and style of an independent hotel with the reliability, consistency and attentive service of a major business hotel.

"The reaction to W Hotels from the Sydney marketplace has been extremely positive since the brand's inception in late 1998", says Barry Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Sydney made logical sense to us as our first international market for W Hotels, particularly as the city prepares for the Olympics."

According to General Manager, Paul Walters, W Sydney will fill a niche in the Sydney market. "W Sydney is located in an area that offers a different perspective of Sydney yet is only a five minute walk from the center of the city," says Mr. Walters. "This property will offer sophisticated travelers all the comforts they want plus all the tools they need to conduct business in an environment that is in tune with their lifestyle."

Beginning with the lobby, the W Sydney adopts a relaxed approach – a cafe and bar will be located in the centre and oversized lounge chairs in intimate arrangements allows guests to meet with friends in a casual environment. A fitness centre features the latest equipment, an indoor black tiled pool, an outdoor sun deck and a massage service.

The 104 guestrooms, including 43 loft suites, offer city and harbor views and are designed for comfort. Contemporary style furniture, natural fabrics throughout and specially designed room accessories will set the tone. The focus of the room is the luxurious W bed with a pillow top mattress, 250 thread count linens and goose down comforters and pillows. Other signature W features include a snack and beverage bar, a coffeemaker with W's own blend of coffee and custom-formulated bath products.

W Hotels feature amenities and services for today's most discerning travelers, and as the brand's newest hotel, W Sydney, provides the latest in modern amenities and high-tech capabilities. Meeting every conceivable need of business travelers, guestrooms feature the latest in cutting-edge technology, including a VCR and 27" color TV equipped with ultra-fast Internet access (via an infrared keyboard). This system also allows guests to set up their own personal, secure E-mail addresses while staying at W Hotels. For guests traveling with their own laptops, high-speed dataport connectivity is available at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional data modems. Each room has two phones (one with dataport and speakerphone capabilities and another 900MHz cordless dual-line phone).

Above and beyond the customary offerings of a sophisticated "Style" hotel, W Hotels maintain a service commitment that provides "Whatever, Whenever." Whether it be a laser printer at 2 a.m., a last-minute tuxedo fitting or a bath filled with chocolate milk, guests need only ask, and their special requests come to life.

The first W Hotel opened in New York in December 1998. This was followed by the 1999 openings of W Atlanta (February); W San Francisco (May); W Seattle (September); W Honolulu – Diamond Head (October); W New York – The Court - The Tuscany (November); and W Los Angeles – Westwood (December) and the opening of two properties in New Orleans in March 2000. More than 20 W Hotels are anticipated to be opened by the end of 2002, including the hotel in Sydney, Australia (June 2000); Newark, CA. (July 2000); Union Square NY (November 2000); Chicago (two properties); Miami – South Beach; Philadelphia; San Diego and Mexico City.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.

For reservations and information on W Hotels, call toll-free 877-WHOTELS or visit the W website at www.whotels.com.