W Barcelona opens

Barcelona, Spain – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has unveiled a global brand flagship hotel, W Barcelona. W Barcelona is designed by world-renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill.

Situated at Nova Bocana, where the glamorous Barceloneta beach boardwalk commences, the hotel has a commanding presence against Barcelona’s magnificent waterfront and skyline, and has already made its mark as a landmark in an ambitious urban renewal plan for Barcelona’s coastline. The 26-story, slender, sail-shaped W Barcelona sits perpendicular to the dock, showcasing sea and city views from every guest room.

“Taking the W brand into the dynamic city of Barcelona, a European hub known for fashion, design and architecture, will mark a true milestone in W Hotels’ global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations,” said Eva Ziegler, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meridien. “W Barcelona offers stunning architecture and innovative design from Ricardo Bofill, a renowned architect. His leading-edge design will set a dramatic stage for the W brand’s unique lifestyle positioning, soon to become a true flagship hotel for the W brand, offering insider access to a world of Wow.”

W Barcelona will feature 473 guest rooms, including 67 suites, two WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite. W Barcelona will also offer guests Spain’s first Bliss Spa; a signature restaurant by Michelin-Star rated Catalan Chef, Carles Abellan; Eclipse, a rooftop bar with stunning vistas over the Mediterranean from London-based nightlife gurus, Ignite Group (the creative minds behind famed London nightclub, Boujis); the signature W lounge, featuring W BAR for cocktails and WAVE Restaurant; WET, an infinity-edged pool and bar; ultra-exclusive Extreme WOW Cabana with Jacuzzi and lounge deck; and the SWEAT state-of-the-art fitness facility outfitted with Technogym equipment.

W Barcelona features public spaces with more than 2,500 square metres of ultra-modern meeting and event space, including the Great Room (W Hotels’ interpretation of a ballroom), supported by the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service promise, providing guests whatever they want.

“W Barcelona is now the third W Hotel in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, following the openings of W Istanbul and W Doha Hotel and Residences earlier this year,” said Roeland Vos, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, EAME. “The W brand continues its fantastic growth and is on track to open ten more W Hotels in some of the region’s most sought after destinations, including London, Paris, and Milan.”

W Barcelona is at the beginning of the world-famous boardwalk La Barceloneta, first-class restaurants of Port Vell, pristine beaches and water sports of Puerto Olimpico, and a short stroll from cafes, shops and nightlife options of Barcelona’s Old Town and Las Ramblas. The only hotel in Barcelona with direct access to the beach, W Barcelona anchors Passeig de Joan de Borbó, a redevelopment project slated to bring luxury retail, office and entertainment venues to this dynamic area.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has six of its nine world-class brands represented in Spain, including Westin, Le Meridien, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, and now W Hotels. The grand hotels that make up Starwood’s Spanish portfolio include The Westin Palace Madrid, Marqués de Riscal, A Luxury Collection (Rioja), Hotel Alfonso XIII, A Luxury Collection Hotel (Seville), and Arabella Golf & Spa Resort (Mallorca).

W Hotels has 34 hotels and retreats around the world. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to double its footprint by 2011. In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Boston, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, and Downtown New York. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, London, Manchester, Milan, Paris and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Marrakech, Amman, and Dubai. W has plans to open W Retreats in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques Island and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W Hotels’ first ski retreat.