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Spice Market To Open In The W London

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

London is getting a Valentine from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. February 14th, 2011 marks the premiere of Spice Market London in the new W London - Leicester Square hotel. This South East Asian-inspired restaurant will be the sister restaurant of the iconic Spice Market in New York's Meatpacking District.

This opening will reunite Vongerichten with members of his original team from his past London restaurant Vong. Chef de Cuisine Tim Tolley was Head Chef at Vong for four years and General Manager Bertrand Pierson was at the helm from 2000-2003. "I'm thrilled to be returning to London and opening Spice Market in the heart of London, Leicester Square. London is such a diverse and vibrant city that I think it will be the perfect place for the European flagship Spice Market," said Jean-Georges.

Spice Market London will serve a larger range of Asian foods and other dishes not served in New York. The restaurant will be open for breakfast ,lunch and dinner. Signature dishes will include: Spiced Chicken Samosa with Coriander Yogurt, Cod with Malaysian Chilli Sauce and Thai Basil and Ovaltine Kulfi, Caramelized Banana and Spiced Milk Chocolate. The cocktail menu features a variety of exotic drinks such as Ginger Margarita, Lychee Raspberry Bellini and a Pineapple Mojito.

The restaurant is set over two floors, with interiors done in warming shades of gold, copper, chrome and wood. The restaurant will have a stunning 'birdcage' gold spiral staircase and 600 custom-designed shimmering wok lamps covering almost every part of the ceiling giving out an attractive low light. The rear wall will host a wall of spices. There will be 70 seats downstairs available for dining, a cocktail lounge and sushi bar. Upstairs hosts 100 seats with an open kitchen and a private room accommodating up to 30 covers.

Tags: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, london restaurants, spice market, w hotel, w london

Helena Christensen Stars In W London Promo Film

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Enigmatic actress and model Helena Christensen is the star of a short film made by W Hotels to tease London's new Leicester Square, W London. Christensen plays fictitious guest Alex Worthington who has a dark little "meet cute" with Adam, a mysterious brooding stranger played by male model David Gandy. It's a step above some of the other short film brand promos I've seen in that it appears to have a story rather than just a collection of music-video-like vignettes. The film, titled, "Away We Stay" was written and directed by Edoardo Ponti and is a bit of a nod to the 1966 classic Blow Up produced by Edoardo's father Carlo Ponti. The hotel isn't the star here but it forms a nice backdrop to the glamorous story which showcases London's chicer side.

[via Breaking Travel News]

Tags: david gandy, Helena Christensen, leicester square, w hotel, W Hotels, w london

W Hotel in Atlanta Heads Back To The Lender

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The W Atlanta-Downtown hotel and condos project went back to its lender this week. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the hotel tower, which was developed by Barry Real Estate Cos. was foreclosed upon by the senior lender, a joint venture between the FDIC and Square Mile Capital Management. Barry Real Estate had ceded its ownership stake to Capri Capital Partners, the hotel's mezzanine lender, in order to avoid foreclosure. The original lead lender, Silverton Bank, had failed in May 2009 and was taken over by the FDIC. In May, the FDIC auctioned the servicing rights to the loan to Square Mile and so both are part of the latest move. The hotel, which opened last year is doing brisk business. The hotel's general manager reports that several conventions have filled the hotel to capacity for 12 nights in October. This month the hotel is offering a Breast Cancer Awareness month package that includes 2 ThinksPink cocktail, free valet parking and a $10 donation to the Young Survival Coalition with rates starting at $219.

Other W hotels have had similar problems. The W Boston has been fighting foreclosure for months. The W Union Square in New York City was in foreclosure for months but was recently purchased. The W San Diego was foreclosed on over the summer and is now owned by its lender.

Tags: atlanta, hotel foreclosure, hotels in trouble, w hotel

W New York - Downtown Debuts Near Ground Zero

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments, Architecture & Design

Starwood has just opened the doors of its newest property, the W New York – Downtown, featuring 58 floors of upscale urban luxury and signature comforts in New York City's rapidly revitalizing Financial District. The towering building also houses the new Residences at W New York - Downtown for those who want to make their stay more permanent. Poised for a prime view of the new Freedom Tower being constructed at Ground Zero, the hotel features architectural design elements by award-winning Gwathmey Siegel & Associates with interior design by GRAFT and a special "light shower sculpture" by UK light sculptor Bruce Munro. Hospitality offerings include BLT Bar & Grill and The Living Room Bar and Terrace with outdoor space (above). The hotel features 217 rooms including 16 studio suites, one WOW and two Extreme WOW suites. The Residences are comprised of 223 luxurious W-branded modern condominiums with access to the hotel's luxe amenities.

Tags: hotels, New York, New York City, Starwood, W Hotel, W Hotels, W New York - Downtown

Targa Trophy Supercar Rally Kicks Off This Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

The Targa Trophy triple-crown series of open road rallies featuring some of the most exotic cars in the world will kick off later this month with high-octane events slated for Southern California, Northern California and Arizona. The series pits drivers against the clock in an effort to drive pre-selected routes through some of the most technical driving roads and scenic byways in the western United States. The first leg – the So Cal Challenge - runs from Hollywood to San Diego, the second event – the Bay Area Rally Fest - takes participants through Silicon Valley and West San Francisco, and the Desert Finale runs through the Arizona desert to Scottsdale. Each two-day event will start with an exclusive private party at the host city's W Hotel.

As the participants make their way to the finish there will be a series of checkpoints and movie screenings culminating in the finale dinner and awards ceremony. HRE Performance Wheels, which designs, engineers and manufactures forged alloy wheels for the world's finest cars in their San Diego facility, has signed on "Official Wheel" of this year's competition. HRE will craft a unique forged aluminum trophy for the rally winner and provide prizes to other top placing drivers as well. The grand prize for the "Triple Crown" winner will be a custom-made set of forged HRE wheels made for the winning vehicle. The So Cal Challenge kicks of on June 25; the deadline to sign up is June 22.

Tags: Arizona, California, Hollywood, rally, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Southern California, supercars, Targa Trophy, W Hotel

Charity Wine Dinner Offers Wine At Hollywood And Vine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events, Charity

If you are interested in checking out the new W Hotel at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood, California a fine opportunity presents itself with the Eighth Annual Wine Aficionado Dinner benefiting the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program. The event will take place on Thursday, May 13th. Tickets for this year's dinner "Hollywood and Wine: The Biggest Stars in Wine Today" are $1,250 per person or $10,000 per table of ten. Attendees also have the opportunity to be among the first to stay at the W Hollywood at a special rate of $259 on the night of the dinner.

This year's dinner will showcase some of the world's finest wines paired with a four-course dinner prepared by Innovative Dining Group. Several of LA's top sommeliers to oversee the dinner's wine service. The evening will conclude with a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind lots like a walk down the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere in a Randolph Duke couture gown; dinner with comedians Cheech and Chong; a progressive dinner for four couples in Los Angeles' top elite homes; a private movie screening; and a lot of 100-point Robert Parker rated wines from around the world.

The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program supports the Bogart Labs at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Named in memory of Neil Bogart, the late record and film executive who died of lymphoma at the age of 39, The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program was founded in 1984. This January Bogart awarded a five-year $4.7 million grant to support the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases (CCCBD) and the creation of the Bogart Leukemia Research Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Tags: bogart pediatric cancer research, w hollywood, w hotel, wine, wine dinner

Drai's Hollywood Offers Poolside Partying At Hollywood and Vine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Drai's Hollywood at the New W Hollywood Hotel just might be the new summer hang out. The hotel is situated on the famous corner at Hollywood and Vine. The club includes a large lounge lined with banquettes backed with rich red velvet tiles which are separated by mirrored, ceiling-high columns. Opposite the banquettes, one full wall of the space looks out onto Hollywood through floor-to-ceiling windows offering glittering city views. The room also opens up into a dance space with a DJ booth framed by a massive, carved wooden picture frame looking out onto the floor.

The restaurant area seats approximately 120 guests and offers treats from Chef Claude Segal. The restaurant is between the indoor lounge area and the open air rooftop pool/patio area offering a choice of inside or outside dining. The pool patio is the most prized location. It resembles a penthouse roof garden and both sides have custom cabanas. One side of the pool has flat-topped cabanas with low couches and white privacy curtains. On the other side, raised up a few steps from the pool level, is a row of covered daybed with Moroccan-style inlaid wooden tables and cabinets, stained wicker seats, red-cushioned couches, large mirrors and flat screen TVs all surrounded by heavier white drapes. At the far end of the pool, up a flight of stairs above an outdoor poolside bar, is a set of four larger, very VIP cabanas that overlook the entire rooftop area.

Tags: drais hollwood, hollywood, nightclub, victor drai, w hotel, waits twins

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W Union Square Saved From Second Foreclosure Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

A few months ago Dubai-based Istithmar lost control of the W New York Union Square hotel during a foreclosure auction. One of the property's lenders LEM Mezzanine was named the winning bidder for just $2 million but taking on $212 million in debt. Now the entity formed by LEM Mezzanine, Hotels Union Square Mezz 1 LLC, has filed for bankruptcy to avoid a second foreclosure auction.

DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale, which held a $60 million loan on the property, was planning to foreclose on the property on Wednesday. Crains reports that Hotels Union Square Mezz 1 reported debts of between $100 million and $501 million. A spokesperson for LEM said that the company is still working on restructuring the hotel's debt. The 20-story hotel, which opened in 2000 was bought by Istithmar in 2006 for $285 million.The hotel remains open for business and is currently offering a special of rates from $289 per night for arrivals Thursday - Saturday.

Tags: hotel foreclosure, hotel foreclosures, hotels in trouble, istithmar, Istithmar World, new york, union square, w hotel

Dubai-Based Fund Loses W Union Square Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The fallout from the Dubai cash crunch seems to have begun. Dubai-based Istithmar lost control of the W New York Union Square hotel during a foreclosure auction on Tuesday. The Real Deal reports that one of the property's lenders LEM Mezzanine, a private equity fund holding a junior portion of the mezzanine debt bid $2 million for the debt on the hotel which Istithmar bought in 2006 for $285 million. Istithmar had also submitted a bid of $2.1 million but they had asked for certain loan changes and so LEM was named the winning bidder taking on $212 million in debt. The hotel will continue on as usual and LEM is banking on an eventual upturn in the tourism market.

What will Istithmar unload next? Two potential targets seem to be Barney's New York which has been rumored to be for sale for a long time. The problem is that no one is willing for pay what Istithmar paid for it ($942 million in 2007) especially at a time when department stores have been going through a deep and painful purge. This year's holiday season could be key for the department store brand. Another target could be the Queen Elizabeth 2, the luxury liner which is supposed to become a floating hotel. Istithmar also owns shares in Yacht Haven Grande, a mega-marina and resort complex in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source

Tags: dubai, istithmar, istithmar world, IstithmarWorld, new york city, NewYorkCity, union square, UnionSquare, w hotel, WHotel

It's a Gossip Finale for W Hotels' Wonderlust series

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

From Peter, Bjorn and John to Pete Yorn, W Hotels have presented themselves as the premier rock curator this year, with a series of events throughout their nationwide hotels. It's been an amazing year for rock fans to get up close and personal with some of today's hottest acts in intimate W Hotel settings. And if it's not enough to be within arms reach of your favorite acts sipping signature W cocktails, each show is photographed by legendary music photographer Mick Rock. They're ending the year with a bang with an amazing live performance from the Gossip at the W San Diego. Music for Men is one of our favorite albums of the year, and we're insanely jealous of anyone who gets to see this sure-to-be unforgettable show.

While access to the show is strictly limited to VIP invites, you can be one of those guests with an All Access Package starting at $229, which includes a Fabulous Room, two tickets to the show, a meet and greet with Gossip, an exclusive Wonderlust giftbag, and a late checkout 3PM checkout (you're gonna need it!). Upgrade to a mere $299 for a Cool Corner suite. This is a once-in-a-lifetime rock-and-roll opportunity that is sure to sell out quickly.

Head to the W Website for more information on this killer package.

Friday, December 11, 2009
8 PM
W San Diego
421 West B Street
San Diego, CA

Tags: hotel deals, HotelDeals, music performances, MusicPerformances, san diego, SanDiego, the gossip, TheGossip, w hotel, WHotel

W Hotel opens in Washington

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

If only this one had been open in January when millions rushing to D.C. to witness President Obama's Inauguration were faced with sold-out hotels left and right. In what marks another milestone in the global expansion of the W Hotel brand, the W Hotel in Washington, D.C opened this past Thursday with a giant bash. It was a jam-packed party full of the town's political elite, including Presidential Aide Reggie Love and the President's personal secretary Katie Johnson, as well as celebs like Emmy Rossum who flocked to hear an intimate performance by John Legend. In an event that brought Versailles to Washington, the party was full of Marie Antoinette models sporting powdered wigs and opera glasses while guests sipped on pink cocktails and munched on cotton candy.

The new W Hotel, the 25th to open in North America, takes over the historic Hotel Washington, which opened in 1917. The new design incorporates the 1920s Beaux Arts architecture of the original building with the edgy designs of Dianna Wong whose, L.A.-based firm transformed all of the interiors. Wong gathered artwork symbolizing "old Washington," which she sprinkled among her more modern designs including a digital fireplace, crackled paint, deconstructed fixtures, and new chandeliers complimenting the original 1920s light fixtures. Her theme throughout the hotel is "pinstripes and lace," to appeal to both the masculine and feminine powers of Washington.

As the city's closest hotel to the White House, the location features unparalleled views of our nation's monuments, and can expect to attract an abundance of stately guests from around the world, and perhaps a national scandal or two.

W turned the famed rooftop, where for decades politicos have converged to drink and deliberate, into a modern cocktail lounge, with a menu provided by cocktail king Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey and Little Branch. The cocktails can also be ordered in the Living Room, W's design of the traditional hotel lobby. Dining options include the J&G Steakhouse and Wine Bar from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.The W Washington D.C. has 317 guestrooms in total, including 23 Marvelous suites. The W's interpretation of the traditional Presidential Suite, the "pinstripes and lace" Extreme WOW suite, is an exact symbol of the new design influence quickly arriving in our nation's capital.

Gallery: W Hotel opens in DC

Source

Tags: hotel, hotel opening, HotelOpening, new hotel, NewHotel, w hotel, washington dc, WashingtonDc, WHotel

Ducasse's 1st Caribbean Eatery to Open at W Vieques

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Famed French chef Alain Ducasse will open his first restaurant in the Caribbean at the new W Retreat & Spa: Vieques Island this November, called "miX on the beach." At the eatery (above) Ducasse will offer a sophisticated menu, exploring "colorful Latino Caribbean flavors with an artful French twist and refreshing dishes that highlight only the finest ingredients from land and sea, expertly prepared and creatively presented." Both indoor and outdoor dining will be available with impressive ocean views on all sides. The first W Retreat & Spa in the Caribbean, the resort is located just off the Southeast coast of Puerto Rico on the peaceful 55-acre island of Vieques. In addition to miX on the beach, Ducasse's team will also manage the entire food and beverage program for the resort.

Tags: Alain Ducasse, AlainDucasse, beach, Caribbean, celebrity chef, CelebrityChef, chef, Puerto Rico, PuertoRico, resort, spa, Vieques, W hotel, W Retreat Spa, WHotel, WRetreatSpa

W Hotel Opens In South Beach

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

W Hotels has opened their 31st property, the W South Beach and The Residences at W South Beach in the arts and entertainment district of Miami Beach. The development includes 408 W-branded residences with Ocean Suites, Beach Bungalows, and the Extreme WOW suite (W's version of the Presidential suite). Among the food and drink destinations at the property are Wall, a bar and lounge, Spanish restaurant Solea and the celebrity favorite Mr. Chow. The hotel also bring the popular Bliss spa to Miami.

The $500 million hotel was designed by architect Costas Kondylis. The W's Living Room (aka the lobby) was designed by Anna Busta with artwork from collector Aby Rosen's private collection. The art is showcased in an environment with tufted leather ottomans, velvet curtains in eggplant purple, modern white and gray sofas, armchairs covered in white pony or slate velvet and white pony rugs splashed with gold paint. A 20-foot-high beaded curtain set off by glass walls marks the way into the W Living Room Bar with views of the pool deck and garden. If you book by July 20 the hotel is offering rates from $269 per night for stays July 16 – October 12. The Miami Herald reported earlier this month that the South Beach location has sold out for weekends in July even though the prices are higher than many other hotels in the area.

Source

Tags: florida, miami, miami beach, MiamiBeach, new hotels, NewHotels, south beach, SouthBeach, w hotel, WHotel

W San Diego Hotel To Be Returned To Lenders

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Another W Hotel is in trouble. We've heard of troubles facing the W in Phoenix but now the W San Diego has a battle of its own ahead. Yesterday Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. announced that will default on the June mortgage payment for the property. The real estate investment trust cited the travel downturn as well as the opening of other luxury hotels in the area as a reason for being unable to make the payments. Sunstone had sought lower interest rates and made the decision that, like many people in the U.S., it was underwater in its mortgage. So the investors are doing the corporate version of jingle mail and returning it to the lenders. The company says that the property which it purchased for $96 million in 2006 is worth less now. Right now the hotel has a $65 million, fixed-rate commercial mortgage-backed securities loan with a 6.14 percent interest rate due at the start of the year in 2018. This works out to more than $250,000 in debt per room.

A statement from the company says that it ""maintains more than adequate liquidity to support or repay this mortgage" but believes that turning it over to the lenders is in the best interests of stockholders. Sunstone Hotel has said that it may make the same move with selected other mortgaged hotels in its portfolios. It also owns properties under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Fairmont brands. The W San Diego remains open.

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Tags: foreclosure, san diego, SanDiego, sunstone hotel, SunstoneHotel, w hotel, WHotel

Two Major Scottsdale Resorts Facing Foreclosure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

What is going on in Scottsdale, Arizona? The popular warm weather destination has had its second announcement of a major resort facing foreclosure in just a few weeks. The 293-room InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, which just opened last fall headed toward foreclosure and scheduled for disposition on April 28. It follows the W Scottsdale which was hit with a foreclosure notice a few weeks ago.

The owners of the Montelucia are, according to GlobeSt.com having troubles with a $185 million mortgage held by Eurohypo AG of Germany. The article quotes a local analyst who says that Phoenix is leading the nation in a drop in hotel occupancy rates. There is concern that other new projects which were also conceived during the boom time of 2006 could now be vulnerable. Some of these projects have loans coming due this year and next year and may have trouble finding refinancing. Both the W Scottsdale and the Montelucia are still open for business.

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Tags: arizona, montelucia, w hotel, WHotel