Starwood Hotels To Take Wraps Off Two New W Properties In Manhattan

NEW YORK? Starwood Hotels & Resorts will unveil two new W Hotels in The Big Apple on Nov. 29. Both are former Doral properties and join the original W launched in New York last December. That 722-room hotel was previously the Doral Inn. The new hotels, W New York? The Court and W New York? The Tuscany, were formerly the Doral Tuscany and the Doral Court located at 120 and 130 East 39th St., respectively. The Court has 196 guestrooms; the Tuscany, 122 rooms. Because the new entries are smaller than the original W New York, which is located at 541 Lexington Ave., ?they will be regarded as more upscale,? said Diane Briskin, W Hotels? New York director of sales/marketing. While the design of the W New York is light and airy with much use of natural fabrics, Briskin described the Tuscany and Court as ?very dramatic, sleek and sexy with a different spectrum of color.? Dark woods have been used, she noted, and the lobby flooring is white terrazzo accented by black. ?There arealso red accents throughout and chairs in velvets with deep plush colors,? she said. ?The Court will be as busy as the W but a bit more sophisticated and elegant,? she added. One restaurant will serve both of the new Ws. Designed by restaurateur Drew Nieporent, it will be located in the Court and be called Icon NY. Nieporent has also created restaurants at other W Hotels around the country including Heartbeat at the W New York. Under the direction of executive chef Paul Sale, the restaurant will have a ?modern French? menu, according to Brisken. Menu items will include offerings such as Warm Globe Artichoke Asparagus Salad with Parmesian Reggiano and Verjus Drizzle; Sweet Alaskan Halibut Cheeks with Baby Arugula and Citrus Ginger Vinaigrette; and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Fall Vegetable Ratatouille. The Court will also have a bar which will be called WETBAR. Brisken said it will be ?exciting? as is the Whiskey Blue bar at the original W New York, which has become a popular Manhattan hot spot. Rates for a standard room through the end of the year will range from $340 to $475 at the Tuscany and from $325 to $435 at the Court. Starwood also has plans for another W Hotel at Union Square in downtown New York. That property will open in the Guardian Life Building which is owned by The Related Co. The 270-room hotel is expected to open in November 2000. The W group of hotels are becoming known for their elegant style, service and business amenities. W trademarks in the guestroom include an oversized desk, upholstered chaise lounge or banquette and natural fabrics. The focus of the guestroom is the ?W bed? with a pillow-top mattress, 250 thread-count linens, and goose-down comforters and pillows. Other signature W features include a snack and beverage bar; a coffeemaker with W?s own blend of coffee; a terry-lined, cotton pique W bathrobe; and Aveda bath products. To serve the business traveler, W Hotels offer the latest technology including a 27-inch color television with an in-room entertainment system to provide everything from first-run movies and video programs to Internet access. Each room also has three phones and high-speed laptop connectivity. Approximately 20% of the rooms at W Hotels are designated ?W Home Office,? offering special business amenities such as a combination printer/copier/fax/scanner and videocassette player. The hotels also have full-service business centers and meeting/banquet rooms. Starwood plans to have a total of 16 W Hotels operating around the country by the end of next year. In addition to New York, W Hotels are now open or will be launched in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Denver and New Orleans.