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W Hotels Checks in to Asia with Its Third International Property, W Seoul-Walkerhill.


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Unique Culinary Experiences, Most Extensive Spa in Korea, Jet-setting Woo Bar: Guests Will Be Welcomed to Seoul W-Style this August

W Hotels Worldwide, a collection of world-class hotels with a unique balance of comfort and leading design, will enter the Asian market with W Seoul-Walkerhill, opening its doors in August 2004. Located on the slopes of Mount Acha in the resort district of Walkerhill, this 19th W property will be the first to offer customized guestrooms by color and scent, three distinctive restaurants and one of the most extensive spa facilities in Asia. W Seoul-Walkerhill in South Korea is W's third location outside of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area.  following Sydney, Australia and Mexico City Mexico City
 Spanish Ciudad de México

City (pop., 2000: city, 8,605,239; 2003 metro. area est., 18,660,000), capital of Mexico. Located at an elevation of 7,350 ft (2,240 m), it is officially coterminous with the Federal District, which occupies 571 sq mi
. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
:HOT), W's parent, operates more than 90 hotels in Asia Pacific.

"We are thrilled to open a W Hotel in a city with such vibrancy," says Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and C.E.O. of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). "W Seoul-Walkerhill personifies this with inspirational design and food and beverage F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage," which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods.  experiences that will woo the senses of Seoul's leading tastemakers."

The location of W Seoul-Walkerhill offers travelers a taste of two worlds. Part of the resort town of Walkerhill and a short drive from downtown Seoul, the W sits 14 stories above an underground city where Seoul's only casino, connecting luxury retail shops, restaurants and theatres cater to every fancy. The unique structure of the hotel was developed by a team of leading international architects and interior designers, including Studio GAIA, Tony Chi and Associates of New York New York, state, United States
New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of
 and Aaron Tan of RAD, Hong Kong Hong Kong (hŏng kŏng), Mandarin Xianggang, special administrative region of China, formerly a British crown colony (2005 est. pop. 6,899,000), land area 422 sq mi (1,092 sq km), adjacent to Guangdong prov. .

Upon check-in, guests are invited to immerse in W's signature Living Room experience - a vast, ethereal space where egg-shaped chairs suspended from the ceiling and soothing beats and scents seduce them into play. Interactive digital artwork adorns the walls and bar tops, creating a unique synergy between hospitality and design.

Wide terrace steps lead up to cabanas on the mezzanine while five working fireplaces frame the scene. A mix of natural fibers, textures and colors throughout the hotel reflects Asian influence sprinkled with Western Modernism.

Guestrooms

With 253 rooms, including 30 suites, guests can choose from four different room types, all with lavish comforts and unobstructed views: Wonderful Room, with its dramatic red and white interiors; Media Room, complete with a round bed, Jacuzzi bath, private projection LCD screen and home theatre system; Spa Room in cool grays with a bath that sits at the edge of the window, and Scent Room, which allows guests to pre-select from a customized menu of aromas for the room, and includes an outdoor terrace. The hotel will also have "eWow" and "Super Spa" Suites for the over-indulgent.

W's signature bed is the focal point focal point
n.
See focus.
 of the room, with its pillow-top mattress, 400-thread-count linens and goose down comforters and pillows. In-room features include an over-sized desk; two telephones, one with dataport and speakerphone capabilities; high speed internet access See how to access the Internet. ; Bose CD radio; DVD player A stand-alone device that plays DVDs. It contains a DVD drive and the electronics to decode the digital video. The device may play only manufactured DVDs, or it may be able to play DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs. DVD players are cabled to a TV or home theater system for display. ; 29"-color flat screen TV; plush terry-lined bathrobes, and custom-formulated bath products. 24-hour access to W's signature "Whatever/Whenever" service is available in every guest room.

Yum

W Hotels continues to build on its reputation as a home for restaurants that are destinations in themselves with Namu, Kitchen and Tonic, a formidable culinary trio. Namu's cuisine is best described as "Asia Tomorrow," an enlightened combination of Modern Asian cooking creatively and imaginatively weaved with tradition while still retaining its culture. Namu is divided into areas representing the natural elements: the bar area Liquid; dining areas Ice, which features a variety of fresh sushi and sashimi; and Fire, complete with Teppanyaki tables.

For a more international flavor, Kitchen, located adjacent to the lobby, presents guests with a true home kitchen experience. Throughout the day, guests are encouraged to indulge in a selection of juices and yogurts from the kitchen "pantry". A gathering table that seats 20 guests provides a warm, familial setting. Kitchen also houses the Maze, a circular, winding sculpture designed by notable Korean artists.

The third restaurant, Tonic is located in AWAY SPA. Tonic is expected to become a fast favorite for its approach dedicated to healing the Mind, Body, and Soul - the sustenance of which, lies at the very heart and doctrine of Tonic's food.

Nightlife in Walkerhill will never be the same with the 10,000 square foot Woo Bar in the Living Room, featuring a DJ booth, soothing beats and mood-infusing lights.

Sensory Setup

The W Seoul-Walkerhill will include 1,500 square feet of meeting space divided into three studios- and supported by a full service business center, 24-hour room service and concierge. "Sensory Setup", a W practice designed to liven up Verb 1. liven up - make lively; "let's liven up this room a bit"
liven, enliven, invigorate, animate

energize, perk up, energise, stimulate, arouse, brace - cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate me"; "This herbal infusion doesn't
 meetings with soothing music, explosive tastes, signature scents and stimulating visuals, will ease guests into a creative frame of mind.

Live Well

The first-ever full service spa in Korea, AWAY SPA at W Seoul-Walkerhill spans 50,000 square feet and provides guests with the ultimate rejuvenation Rejuvenation
Aeson

in extreme old age, restored to youth by Medea. [Rom. Myth.: LLEI, I: 322]

apples of perpetual youth

by tasting the golden apples kept by Idhunn, the gods preserved their youth. [Scand. Myth.
 experience with its unique array of both traditional Asian and cutting edge therapies. AWAY SPA will have 21 treatment rooms with WIP WIP Work In Progress
WIP Work in Process
WIP World Internet Project
WIP Women in Prison (movie genre)
WIP World Institute of Pain
WIP Wash-In-Place
WIP Women in Publishing
WIP Work In Place
WIP Wireless Internet Protocol
 together suites, single sex zones with seven water experience pools, outdoor treatment area overlooking the Han River Han River

River, east-central China. A principal tributary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), it has a total length of about 950 mi (1,530 km). It rises in the mountains in southwestern Shaanxi province; known by various names in its upper course, it becomes the Han at
 and two Hinoki soak tubs, plus a comprehensive range of over fifty body, facial and wrap treatments. Unique to AWAY SPA is the first ever Turkish Hamam to be introduced in Asia, an ancient Turkish ritual administered by therapists called 'Tellaks'. The W gym SWEAT, fulfills every workout need whether its swimming laps in the indoor 30-meter pool, WET, or taking an outdoor yoga class on the terrace.

For retail therapy, the W Seoul-Walkerhill offers an eclectic range of shopping locales. W Hotels the Store, the 7th W retail boutique in the brand, will carry unique and limited edition fashion and accessories from around the world. At Wishes, guests will find an international assortment of candy, gifts and party goods. There are also two distinct retail outposts located in the AWAY SPA.

P.A.W. - Pets Are Welcome

As part of W Hotels' P.A.W program, pets will be pampered pam·per  
tr.v. pam·pered, pam·per·ing, pam·pers
1. To treat with excessive indulgence: pampered their child.

2.
 with plush beds, water bowls, treats and more upon check-in. If you must leave your puppy at home, guests will have access to a Sony AIBO (Artificial Intelligence roBOt) A battery-operated robotic dog from Sony that behaves like a living animal, learning and growing through experience. Capable of autonomous behavior, AIBO understands voice commands, and it simulates instincts and feelings with sound and  robotic dog when they check in. The highly evolved AIBO understands 100 voice commands, retrieves a toy bone and his favorite pink ball and performs different commands. It even can recognize its "owner's" face and voice.

W Hotel's Newest Wonderland

W Seoul-Walkerhill marks the first property to open under W Hotels' brand-wide retreat for the senses, "Wonderland." Wonderland elements include seductive new lighting, signature scents and luscious botanicals. At all 19 hotels, guests will receive surprise treats from the W Store and other partners upon check-in. During their stay, they'll be greeted by whimsical messaging, vivid images from the Wonderland ad campaign and unique post-stay gifts for Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG SPG - System Program Generator. A compiler-writing language.

["A System Program Generator", D. Morris et al, Computer J 13(3) (1970)].
) platinum members. For more information, please visit www.wseoul.co.kr or www.whotels.com/seoul

About W Hotels: The first W Hotel opened in New York in December 1998. There are now five W Hotels in New York City New York City: see New York, city.
New York City

City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S.
 and 19 hotels brand-wide in the U.S. and abroad. W's first property in Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. , W Mexico City, opened its doors in December 2003 and new W Hotels are under construction in Montreal, Dallas and Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale (lô`dərdāl), residential, commercial, and resort city (1990 pop. 149,377), seat of Broward co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic coast; settled around a fort built (c.1837) in the Seminole War, inc. 1911. . In addition, there are more than a dozen W Hotels in development in city and resort destinations around the world. For more information, please visit www.whotels.com

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton is Starwood Hotels & Resorts mid-market hotel brand, targeted towards business travelers and small conventions. Four Points was created by the former ITT Sheraton before Starwood acquired the firm in 1998. , W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.
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Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Aug 23, 2004
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