W Hotels Worldwide unveiled the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. Located at the historic intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, this $350 million complex, developed by Gatehouse Capital and owned in a joint venture by HEI Hotels & Resorts and Gatehouse Capital, in affiliation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro), offers W’s guests, residents and Hollywood’s locals a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience. The opening of W Hollywood kicks off another year of international growth for W Hotels, which is on track to more than double its global portfolio by 2011.
W Hollywood is registered for LEED-Silver certification and is also the largest property registered for LEED certification in Southern California, combining eco-conscious construction and access to public transportation with the incorporation of an on-site Metro Red Line Station that connects the hotel with the extensive Metro Rail and Bus system serving Los Angeles County. Architecture firm HKS Architects, interior designers designstudio ltd., interior architecture firm Daly Genik Architects and landscape architect Rios Clementi Hale Studios contributed to the creation of the property. In this spirit, W Hollywood guests walk a “red carpet” to arrive at the welcome desk and signature W Living Room. Guests, residents and L.A. insiders can socialize on the adjoining outdoor terrace and ground-floor lounge, featuring black tufted leather sofas, lounge chairs and a decadent backlit lobby bar crafted of glowing Onice Fantastico onyx. Punctuating the contemporary Living Room is a spiral staircase of white marble set against a backdrop of a curved bronze mosaic wall and a chandelier cascading from the gilded ceiling above.
The piece de resistance is undoubtedly the hotel’s expansive open-air rooftop pool deck, bar and nightclub Drai’s Hollywood, from nightclub impresario Victor Drai that is replete with panoramic views and a “Drai’s style” restaurant featuring the cuisine of Chef Claude Segal and a lounge on the ground floor of the hotel for members and invitation only events. The pool decks and club are adorned with a selection of chaises, sun beds and sectional sofas surrounding a fire pit, while the raised Ipe wood deck is adorned with Moroccan-inspired cabanas, outfitted with lounging sofas and flat screen TVs. Delphine Eatery & Bar makes its debut at W Hollywood with interpretations of French cuisine from Innovative Dining Group, the restaurant group behind such Los Angeles hot spots as Sushi Roku, Katana and BOA Steakhouse, among others. Guests can also grab a bite at Station Hollywood, an al fresco outdoor lounge setting equipped with a 600 square foot drop-down cinema-style screen, cushy teak framed sectional seating, fire pits and an outdoor bar.
W Hollywood’s 305 guest rooms, including W’s signature WOW Suites and the Extreme WOW Suite (W’s reinterpretation of the traditional Presidential Suite) feature W’s signature beds with a feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down comforters, state-of-the-art entertainment and a fully stocked Munchie Box (W Hotels’ twist on the hotel mini bar). The Residences at W Hollywood offer 143 W-branded residences for purchase, featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom units with views of the Hollywood sign. Bliss Spa arrives in Hollywood for the first time with more than 6,000 square feet of facilities with a focus on manicures and pedicures, facials, waxing and skincare services as well as Bliss signature massages and seven treatment rooms and Bliss trademark touches such as rhythm and blues tunes, a retail beauty boutique, and brownie buffet. W Hollywood guests and residents receive “BIP” (Bliss Important Person) status for priority reservations and exclusive in-room sampling, while sink-side Bliss amenities are provided in all guestrooms and suites. W Hollywood’s other distinctive elements include substantial modern retail space; 10,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and pre-function space; and 15,000 square feet of event space, including The Great Room (W’s take on the grand ballroom). For reservations or more information, visit www.whotels.com/hollywood.