W New Orleans – French Quarter Reveals Multi-Million Dollar Renovation (United States)
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W New Orleans – French Quarter Reveals Multi-Million Dollar Renovation (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy
vRenovation / Addition
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2012-11-30
Infused with the Intrigue of the Crescent City, W New Orleans – French Quarter is One of 11 W Hotels to Undergo Cutting-Edge Renovations
As part of the W brand’s commitment to reinvigorate more than 11 of its properties across North America, W New Orleans – French Quarter today unveiled a full scale property renovation that melds the enigmatic charms and sultry soul of New Orleans into one vibrant destination. Located in the heart of the Big Easy’s most renowned neighborhood, the hotel has transformed all 97 guestrooms, its Living Room (the W brand’s take on the traditional hotel lobby), Studio meeting spaces, all corridors and the outdoor Courtyard. W New Orleans - French Quarter has also expanded its offerings, adding SWEAT, state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as SoBou, a contemporary Creole cuisine restaurant, recently named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America.
“When W New Orleans – French Quarter opened more than 12 years ago, it created a new scene in our vibrant city,” said James Wroblewski, general manager for W New Orleans - French Quarter. “The renovation is critical to enhancing the overall guest experience while also drawing in locals with a very personalized touch.”
W New Orleans – French Quarter Unveils New Rhythm
New York City based interior design and architecture firm Nemaworkshop redesigned the guest rooms of W New Orleans – French Quarter to reflect the artistic energy and the intrigue of jazz and tarot in the Crescent City. Each room boasts a palate of clean lines and modern blacks and whites mixed with vibrant gold tones and rich primary colors relevant to the room design motif. Inspired by the liveliness of Big Easy music, the jazz design features vibrant golden yellow walls and an oversized floor-to-ceiling brass image modeled after the bell of a horn. The property’s tarot designed rooms channel the mystic spirit of the city with décor inspired by New Orleans’ voodoo queen Marie Laveau. The walls feature a deep blue color as well as an oversized mural representing a woman reading tarot cards.
“The new design definitely has a little fun with the city’s spiritual side,” states Anurag Nema, principal at nemaworkshop. “You may see Marie’s eyes following you on the guest room number placard, or you may recognize her headdress on a directional sign. If you look up while you’re standing in the lift landing, you’ll notice tiny, pin-like lights, playing off voodoo pins.”
In addition to the décor, in-room technology has also been enhanced with new 40” Plasma TVs and the addition of a “jackpack,” offering the ability to stream movies, photos, presentations, etc. from portable devices directly onto the TVs. The brand new, state-of-the-art SWEAT fitness facility offers cardiovascular fitness and personal training programs using free and machine weights from Technogym.
SoBou – a “Spirited” Creole Experience
As part of the $9 million renovation, W New Orleans - French Quarter welcomes SoBou (also designed by nemaworkshop), a Louisiana street food-inspired restaurant and lounge from the Commander’s Family of Restaurants. SoBou—the name of which is the contraction, “South of Bourbon Street”— offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The regionally sourced menu, created by Executive Chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez, features inspired small plates to pair with drinks of any stripe—from classic cocktails to local craft brews. Celebrated Bar Chef Lu Brow of The Swizzle Stick Bar heads the state-of-the-art cocktail program, along with in-house Bar Chef Abigail Gullo.
Each of the spaces in SoBou has a distinctive interpretation of the concept of mixology: the entry and front dining space recall an apothecary where floor-to-ceiling walls are clad in bottles; illuminated display cases house a collection of vintage tools, shakers, and glasses; and in the main dining space, a one-way glass installation showcases glowing bottles that multiply into infinity. Adjacent to the curving brass bar is a modern beer garden housing self-service wine machines and beer taps built directly into the tables.
The transformation of W New Orleans – French Quarter is part of a comprehensive renovation strategy to update the W brand’s North American portfolio. W Hotels recently announced plans to reinvigorate more than 11 of its hotel properties, tapping into the industry’s brightest rising visionaries to collaborate with the W brand’s award-winning design team on redesigns. As W expands its global footprint abroad – opening new hotels from Bangkok to Singapore, Milan to Verbier – the W brand is committed to providing a consistent, cutting-edge experience for guests. The ambitious renovation schedule is focused on many of the W brand’s early hotels in key markets such as New York City, Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, among others.
“As the W brand continues to evolve, opening new hotels from Paris to Milan, Bangkok to Singapore, the brand’s portfolio of existing hotels remains just as vitally important,” said Carlos Becil, vice president of brand management, Starwood’s Luxury and Design Brands, North America. “We invest in design, a core pillar of the W brand’s DNA and something guests have come to expect, and refreshing that excites both guests and locals, ideally driving more business.”
About W New Orleans – French Quarter
W New Orleans – French Quarter, named to the Travel + Leisure 2009 World’s Top 500 Hotels list, offers a private oasis in a city full of life. With 97 guest rooms including four Bungalows, W New Orleans – French Quarter is channeling rebellious energies in its new redesign featuring jazz and tarot-card design motifs. The property offers a charming outdoor courtyard, a WET deck surrounded by an intricate wrought-iron gate, SWEAT facility, and SoBou, a spirited restaurant and bar South of Bourbon. The hotel sits just steps away from some of New Orleans’ most popular attractions, including historic Jackson Square, electrifying Bourbon Street and renowned Royal Street.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 43 hotels and retreats, including 15 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences. With more than 13 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by the end of 2015. W Hotels have been announced for Bangkok, Guangzhou, Milan, Shanghai, Beijing, Bogota, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, and Sante Fe, Mexico, while upcoming W Retreats include Verbier, Goa, and Mexico’s Riviera Maya
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