Opening of W Beijing - Chang’an

A New Scene Unfolds in Beijing as W Once Again Redefines the Hospitality Experience with Cutting-Edge Design, Insider Access to What’s Next and Iconic Whatever/Whenever Service

BEW® Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announced the highly anticipated opening of W Beijing - Chang’an. With a sensory-rich contemporary design inspired by Beijing’s storied traditions, the hotel brings the W brand’s distinct interpretation of modern luxury, including its 24/7 vibrant energy, cutting edge design, and Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy to China’s capital, November 6, 2014. Owned by COFCO Property Investment Co., Ltd., W Beijing - Chang’an marks the 45th W Hotel worldwide and the second W Hotel in mainland China after W Guangzhou.

“The opening of W Beijing – Chang’an is a milestone in the W brand’s dramatic growth around the globe,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels, St. Regis and Luxury Collection. “Long on our shortlist of the world’s most dynamic destinations, we are proud to bring W to Beijing, and the hotel will no doubt ‘rock the empire’ as we set a new scene in the Capital for both our global jet-set guests and locals alike.”

W Beijing - Chang’an is the latest addition to Starwood’s growing portfolio of nearly 140 operating hotels in Greater China, with a strong pipeline of more than 130 hotels to come. W is on track to open seven W Hotels within the next five years in China, across major cities, including Changsha, Chengdu, Shanghai, Suzhou, Sanya, and Shenyang. China continues to fuel the growth of W Hotels in Asia Pacific, which will soon see W Hotels opening in Brisbane, Australia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Gurgaon, Noida, India and Phuket, Thailand.

“Starwood’s growth in China has been nothing short of tremendous. In 1985, Starwood’s legendary Sheraton brand first debuted in Beijing, kicking off the growth trajectory,” said Qian Jin, President, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Today, we’re excited to offer a cutting edge hotel brand to this vibrant market, and we are confident that W Beijing will raise the bar on stylish luxury accommodations in the heart of the city.”


A New Scene Unfolds in China’s Capital

W Beijing is situated on Chang’an Avenue, a major thoroughfare that houses many of Beijing’s most important monuments and buildings, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the headquarters of the Central Bank of China. It also affords easy access to central government buildings, as well as the National Museum of China, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Silk Market, Beijing Concert Hall, and prestigious Diplomat District.

In the midst of this bustling commercial and administrative district, adjacent to some of China’s most celebrated cultural treasures, W Beijing - Chang’an lights up the area with a distinctive metropolitan vibe. True to its roots, the hotel provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of high design and programming around fashion, music, and entertainment – against the backdrop of Beijing’s exhilarating history. Award-winning global architecture practice RTKL and Hong Kong-based interior design firm AB Concepts have brought W Beijing - Chang’an’s distinct design to life.

Fit for an Emperor

W Beijing - Chang’an consists of 349 stylish and spacious guestrooms and suites, featuring state-of-the art fittings such as a digital tablet that manipulates the room’s lighting and mood, 48” LED TV, and Bluetooth sound system. Suites sport a JBL home theater system and Bose portable speakers. Additionally, all guestrooms include the signature W bed; sumptuous Bliss® bath amenities; well-equipped Mix Bar (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the staid mini bar); and a round bathtub in king bed rooms and suites.

In addition, an Extreme WOW Suite, W Hotels’ take on the traditional Presidential Suite, exemplifies unparalleled living, with a total size of 345 square meters, including a living room and 90 square meters of space for parties; 76” UED Samsung TV in the living room; 2-meter wide circular bed; and Jacuzzi by a ceiling-to-floor window. In addition, the E-WOW Suite, when combined with three Wonderful rooms, can be cordoned off to become one exclusive and private space.

Mix, Mingle and Recharge

For mixing and mingling, the Living Room at W Beijing – Chang’an features a LED-lit catwalk in the middle of the room that leads to a circular bar counter, and a whimsical golden globe DJ booth hanging from the ceiling. A secret space is tucked away behind the bar, while the other side of the room houses a light-filled venue inspired by Beijing’s iconic Water Cube aquatics center. X25, an exclusive lounge at the top of the hotel, offers a chilled out atmosphere, where renowned DJs mix original beats and W Mixologists create handcrafted cocktails. Additionally, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant YEN treats guests to the legendary food culture of northern China’s Canton province, while the Kitchen Table serves casual, home-style fare in a communal table setting.

As for high-energy meetings and spectacular events, the hotel offers nearly 1,500 square meters of versatile, well-equipped space, including The Great Room of 518 square meters with a ceiling height of 7 meters. For relaxing moments, the Away Spa, embodying a beehive design, presents a fun-filled escape where guests can enjoy exceptional spa experiences featuring honey-based treatments, among other restorative regimens. Guests can also work out in the FIT state-of-the-art fitness center or have a dip in the WET® heated indoor pool.

To top it off, the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy provides guests with whatever they want, whenever they want it. W Beijing - Chang’an also boasts a full calendar of exclusive W Happenings that showcase what’s new and next in design, fashion, and music to guests and local trendsetters alike.

“We are excited to bring the W brand’s trendsetting design and innovative programming to the heart of Beijing,” said Greg Findlay, General Manager at W Beijing - Chang’an. “W Beijing - Chang’an offers a lifestyle experience that draws upon W Hotels’ New York roots, with the local flavor and design influences of Beijing. We will be offering insider access, contemporary dining experiences, local and international DJs, fashion events featuring local designers every night in W Lounge, and so much more! ”

Electrifying Offer

To celebrate its opening, W Beijing - Chang’an has unveiled special opening rates, starting at RMB 1,288+ per night for a Wonderful Room overlooking iconic city landmarks. This offer is valid from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015. For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.whotels.com/beijing. For more information on W Hotels, click on www.facebook.com/whotels, or follow @WHotels on Twitter.