Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently announced the highly anticipated opening of W Bangkok, located in the Thai Capital’s vibrant commercial district. Owned by an affiliate of Golden Land Plc. Ltd., one of Thailand’s leading property development firms, and Istithmar World, an investment arm of Dubai World, W Bangkok is set in the prestigious Embassy Row at the intersection of Sathorn and Narathiwas Roads with easy access to the city’s elevated rail system (Skytrain).
A hidden gem amongst the city’s modern skyscrapers, ancient temples and neon lights, W Bangkok’s unique and distinctive design melds the city’s deep-rooted Thai heritage with its modern Western influences.
The new W Bangkok hotel.
“Like New York City, where W draws its inspiration, Bangkok is a true 24/7 city with a passion for great design, stylish fashion and dynamic entertainment,” says Paul James, Global Brand Leader of W Hotels, St. Regis, and The Luxury Collection. “W Bangkok, with its iconic design, buzzing bars and restaurants and Whatever/Whenever service, will bring a new style of modern luxury to this vibrant capital city.”
“W Bangkok is certain to become an iconic landmark, a true reflection of Bangkok’s East-meets-West heritage in a transforming modern city,” said Stephen Ho, President, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “With its vision to provide what’s new and next, W Bangkok will set a new scene in Bangkok, adding a new destination and more reasons to visit this dynamic city.”
W Bangkok is Thailand’s first urban W Hotel, following the 2010 opening of W Retreat & Spa Koh Samui. The hotel marks the 44th W Hotel globally and the eighth W Hotel in the Asia Pacific region.
“Bangkok is a global hub for jetsetters, business people, fashionistas, and more. W Bangkok is a perfect match with this energetic city and the colorful vibrancy of its people and rich culture, adding to the beauty of the mix between old and new,” said Chris Delaney, Chairman of Golden Land Plc. Ltd. “The opening of W Bangkok marks a new era of hospitality in the Thai capital, taking the industry to new heights of luxury, entertainment, and service.”
Unveiling the City’s hidden gem
W Bangkok combines a 31-floor contemporary glass tower with a century-old, European-inspired building that formerly housed the Russian Embassy and will reopen in the spring of 2013. A team of local and international designers and architects, including Palmer & Turner Architects, Soda Thailand and New York’s Avroko, developed a striking design that captures the traditional and modern elements of Bangkok.
The base of the new, modern hotel tower has been designed as a theatrical backdrop to the historic building, including vibrant illumination that changes from day to night. The interiors of the hotel evoke the colorful, sparkling glass tiles commonly found in Thai temples and palaces, while Thai-inspired installations add a layer of mystery and reveal throughout the hotel.
A large-scale spiral staircase connects the W Lounge (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby) to the hotel’s Great Room (the W brand’s interpretation of the ballroom), with a floor to ceiling light installation covered in glossy, jewel-encrusted materials as the centerpiece. Collecting and amplifying rays of light, the installation represents the collision of Bangkok’s modern skyline, ancient temples and shimmering bijous.
W Bangkok houses 407 guestrooms and suites in the two distinct buildings, including ten Marvelous Suites, four Duplex Suites, a Wow Suite and the W brand’s signature Extreme Wow Suite. Guestrooms have been designed in gold, blue or magenta jewel tones by floor, with a high contrast of ambient and direct lighting, colored glass panels and accessories to create mystique and illumination.
Each guestroom has been fitted with custom designed chrome furniture, padded platform beds, and state-of-the-art in-room technology, including high-speed wired and wireless Internet access; flat-screen 40-inch LED televisions; and jack pack stations with a sound bar system and docking station for audio and video players.
As well as a multitude of chic bars and restaurants, W Bangkok also offers more than 1000 square meters of meeting and event space, featuring seven meeting rooms and a stunning outdoor space outfitted with adaptable conference furniture and state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. The hotel’s one-of-a-kind 425-square-meter theater-style Great Room boasts nine-meter ceilings outfitted with shades of LED lighting for sparkling and electrifying occasions.
In addition to offering the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, W Bangkok also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, AWAY Spa, WIRED Business Center and W Hotels The Store.
For more information, visit www.whotels.com/bangkok.
