W Taipei | Kitchen table — Photo by Starwood
W Taipei | WET Pool Area — Photo by Starwood
W Hotels Designer of the Future “ – interacts with guests as they enter the building, by changing shape, look and feel in sync with its surroundings — Photo by Starwood

)--W Hotels Worldwide today opens the doors of its 39th hotel globally, W Taipei, which is located in the buzzing central business district of Xinyi. The 405-room hotel has been designed by renowned architects G.A. Design International Ltd. of London and is encased in radiant glass. Rising 31 floors, W Taipei is the only hotel in the city with a panoramic vista of the iconic 101 Tower, one of the world's tallest buildings. Today's opening of W Taipei coincides with the opening of W London - Leicester Square, which will be the W brand's 40th hotel globally.

"W Taipei marks an important step in the global expansion of the W brand, in particular in Mainland China and the Taiwan region," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "W Taipei is sure to redefine the meaning of 'hotel' in Taipei and is well equipped to electrify the city."

"We are thrilled with the opening of W Taipei today," commented Qian Jin, Senior Vice President of Operations, China & Taiwan, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "W Taipei is the ultimate urban getaway in the middle of one of Asia's hippest and most cosmopolitan cities. Without a doubt, W Taipei will be the venue of choice for discerning and style-conscious trendsetters – particularly those inspired by W brand's unique mix of forward looking design and innovative style."

Taipei Hotel Design Redefined

Upon arriving at W Taipei, guests will marvel at "The Chain" - made of the strongest stainless steel with a mirror finish – that symbolically anchors the energy of the W Taipei into the ground and is juxtaposed with a gigantic green wall filled with plants organically grown throughout Taiwan. W Taipei showcases a cutting-edge collection of design installations that bring to life the hotel's design concept of "nature electrified." For instance, an interactive light installation – entitled "To Light You Fade" created by rAndom International, a "W Hotels Designer of the Future " – interacts with guests as they enter the building, by changing shape, look and feel in sync with its surroundings.

Sip, Mix and Indulge at W Taipei's Bars and Restaurants

Taiwan's newest scene, W Taipei will feature an eclectic assortment of signature restaurants and lounges. The Kitchen Table tantalizes with a broad menu of spicy and aromatic tandoor dishes, wood-fired pizzas, stylish salads, succulent seafood and grill dishes. Outside on the WET pool sky deck, al fresco dining means an urban barbecue overlooking Taipei's Technicolor city lights. On the 31st floor, the W brand's Cantonese restaurant, Yen, features a sleek bar for sipping as well as delicate dim sum, fresh seafood, signature soups, delicious desserts – and five private dining rooms for more intimate affairs. As the consulting chef of Yen, creative Chef Jereme Leung brings his innovative style of cooking and unique approach to contemporary Chinese cuisine.

Sanctuary of Serenity High above the Energy of Taipei

Guests at W Taipei may choose from 405 guestrooms and suites, designed as private sanctuaries inspired by nature with spectacular urban views. Overlooking the Yangmingshan mountain range that surrounds Taipei, guestrooms feature an interior balcony/play pad, a great place to relax in the serenity of the room amidst cosmopolitan Taipei, as well as warm-colored stones, burnished wood and lush, electrified floral carpeting contrasted with modern, subtle lighting inspired by Chinese lantern boxes. Designed with the international jet-setter in mind, all guestrooms boast the signature ultra-comfortable W Bed with its 350-thread count linens; a sleek, modern white work station with a leather ergonomic chair; state-of-the-art in-room technology including high-speed wired and wireless Internet access; flat-screen, 42-inch LCD televisions; Bose 2.1 sound systems; charging MP3 player docks; IP phone with voicemail; and a W Taipei's signature W Zodiac Animal – a whimsical touch to the room.

W Taipei – A Meeting Destination

W Taipei will offer more than 2,833 square meters (more than 30,000 square feet) of meeting and event space. The Mega Room at W Taipei will be the largest pillar-less ballroom in the city, with over 1,039 square meters (more than 11,000 square feet) of space for everything from annual meetings and state dinners to gala wedding banquets and high-wattage fashion shows. To make meetings unforgettable, W Taipei will feature W's signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, offering guests whatever they want, whenever they want it, as long as it's legal!

W Taipei Celebrates Its Premiere with a Special Offer

Jet-setters and business professionals alike can indulge in W Taipei's "Spectacular" opening offer, which includes: accommodation in a Spectacular Room or Fantastic Suite; al fresco breakfast at The Kitchen Table; signature welcome cocktail at Yen Bar; an in-room welcome amenity designed by celebrity chef Jereme Leung; VIP insider access to the Xinyi district's nightclubs; and a complimentary W Zodiac Animal – a whimsical touch to every W guestroom. The "Spectacular" package is available February 14 through August 31, 2011, and starts from US$250 per night (TWD $7,800) for a Spectacular Room and US$445 per night (TWD $13,800) for a Fantastic Suite. Package is subject to availability and does not include a 10% service charge and 5% tax.

W Taipei's "Spectacular" opening offer can be booked online at www.wtaipei.com; via email to [email protected]; or by phone at [+886 2 7703 8888]. For reservations and more information, please visit www.whotels.com/taipei.

About W Hotels Worldwide | W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 39 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 50 hotels by the end of 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Bali, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels &

Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®,Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®, along with an expanded partnership withDesign Hotels™. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitterand Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.

Hwee Peng Yeo
Glodow Nead Communications for W Taipei
+65-9768-6087
Starwood