W Hotels' next stop on global expedition

London's lively West End will soon be home to the city's newest insider escape. Hot in pursuit of the world's most intriguing destinations, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., represented in Malta by the Westin Dragonara Resort and Le Méridien St Julian's, last week announced the opening of W London-Leicester Square and The Residences at W London-Leicester Square in late 2010 and the W Manchester in 2010.

Redefining contemporary luxury with its innovative design, signature amenities and whimsical style, W London-Leicester Square will be built on the site of the former Swiss Centre building in the heart of Leicester Square.

This sleek, new hotel will feature 194 luxurious guest rooms and 10 two-level, luxury branded residences, as well as a signature spa, fitness facility, a world-class destination restaurant and W's exclusive Living Room experience, where guests are invited to mix, mingle and relax in a stylish social atmosphere.

"As part of the W brand's global expansion, W London-Leicester Square will provide a unique alternative for our global guests, while facilitating their discovery of one of the world's most fashionable cities," said Roeland Vos, president of Starwood Hotels and Resorts for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "W London-Leicester Square will offer escape, exclusivity and innovative design in the heart of London's most dynamic district."

Further accelerating the W Hotels' aggressive international expansion, W London-Leicester Square will be the newest hotel to join the W Hotels brand's growing portfolio in the region. W Hotels is doubling the size of its property portfolio globally.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is partnering with one of Northern Ireland's leading construction and property development companies, McAleer and Rushe Group, to open W London-Leicester Square as part of a 10-story, mixed-use development. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels represented McAleer and Rushe in the operator search and negotiations for the Leicester Square hotel.

W London-Leicester Square, will be the newest hotel in the UK for Starwood, joining sister properties under the Sheraton, Le Méridien, St Regis, Westin and The Luxury Collection brands in London, Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Ayrshire.

The W Manchester will be ideally located in the heart of the city's vibrant warehouse district. The sleek, new, Ian Simpson-designed hotel will boast approximately 160 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, 650 square metres of meeting and event space, a signature spa, fitness facility, a W Hotels The Store retail store, and a world-class destination restaurant.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is partnering with West Properties UK Ltd, a construction and property development company, to open W Manchester as part of the lifestyle-oriented 'Origin' mixed-use development.

Centrally located on Princess Street, W Manchester will provide an exciting new venue for the city's hottest social events while serving as a sophisticated sanctuary for discerning travellers and local insiders.

The hotel's vibrant and highly desirable location gives guests access to the city's finest theatres, music venues, restaurants and bars and is within walking distance to Manchester's main Piccadilly Station.

W Hotels is a global lifestyle brand with 23 properties in the most vibrant cities around the world. W has plans to open retreat and spa hotels in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as the W brand's first ski retreat. For more information, visit www. whotels.com.