TRIP ADVISOR NAMES W FORT LAUDERDALE TRENDIEST HOTEL IN THE U.S.

Based on Data Drawn from Hotel Reviews by its 20 Million Members
Second Year in Category; first as #1; and named #4 Trendiest in the World

Fort Lauderdale, FL (February 7, 2011) – Results for Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards were recently announced and the W Fort Lauderdale, which opened in June 2009, was named The Trendiest Hotel in the U.S. It’s second year in the category, this 23-story oceanfront, urban resort moved from #4 to #1 this year, with one visitor posting on Trip Advisor that the hotel is “super sleek and stylish…Very clean, modern and full of thoughtful details.” Another guest, who obviously took advantage of the city’s popular cruise ship port, wrote on the travel website, “The hotel to stay pre-cruise.”

Trip Advisor’s website explains that these are the only travel honors representing the unbiased opinions of real travelers, awarded by the world’s largest travel community.

Inspired by the city’s boating culture, the W Fort Lauderdale’s towers resemble a sailboat. The hotel’s broad pedestals represent the hull while the two towers form white opposing “sails,” which in boating terms means to “come about” or change direction, representative of Fort Lauderdale’s recent transformation.

“The W Fort Lauderdale epitomizes the transformation the city has undergone from a spring break town to a sophisticated international destination” explains the city’s champion of change, Nicki E. Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Despite opening during the most serious recession in decades, the hotel has become a popular and vibrant gathering spot for visitors and locals alike. It has indeed become the face of the new Lauderdale Beach Chic.”
The W brings “Oceanfront Wow” to the shores of South Florida, positioned directly on Fort Lauderdale Beach with the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic on one side and the yacht-lined, scenic intracoastal water ways on the other. With interiors envisioned by acclaimed Clodagh Design, the 517-room hotel provides a modern, fully integrated lifestyle experience, including Whiskey Blue, a stylish bar and lounge from famed nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber; Stephen Starr’s STEAK 954, a modern interpretation of the traditional steakhouse; and a Bliss® spa, straight from the streets of Manhattan.

The “Living Room” style lobby leads out to an oceanfront deck with a fire pit. A glass-enclosed stairway allows guests to walk from The Living Room "through" the human aquarium style pool and up to the pool deck, which is lined with custom-designed Clodagh reclining deck chairs, VIP cabanas with televisions and private showers, and the WET® Pool Bar. Rooms utilize crisp whites, seashell hues and ocean blues to create a serene oasis for each guest.
“My designs are Zen when they should be Zen, bling when they should be bling, and disco when they should be disco” explains Clodagh, internationally renowned designer known for her elegant minimalism.

Besides the stunning look and feel of the resort, a real point of difference have been the monthly W Happenings at the hotel that have raised the buzz factor to the sky -- ranging from celebrity book signings, meet & greets and VIP acoustic concerts by noted musicians to a Bliss Guy Ft. Lauderdale Competition to a “Lipstick Lounge” fashion show that raised funds for breast cancer awareness.

ABOUT W FORT LAUDERDALE:
Located between Palm Beach and Miami, just 7 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the hotel was developed by The DYL Development Group and is managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. These sleek, escape-from-the-ordinary hotel features 346 stylishly appointed guest rooms, including 35 luxurious suites, a state-of-the-art gym, glamorous infinity pools and private cabanas, a full-service WIRED business center and W Hotels’ signature Whatever/Whenever® Concierge Service. One hundred and seventy one stylish W condo-hotel residences are located in the resorts second tower. 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL | 954.414.8200 |
www.WFortLauderdaleHotel.com

ABOUT W HOTELS WORLDWIDE®
W Hotels is an innovative, contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 38 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of “Wow”. Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative 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 nightlife experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 10 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to more than double its footprint by 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei, Bali, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For more information, visit www.whotels.com

For more information, please contact Kim Marshall at: (310)452-1234; kim@themarshallplan.com