W Hotels Worldwide Debuts in the U.S. Capital with the Unveiling of W Washington D.C.

Located Steps from the White House and Showcasing Unparalleled Views of the
Historic City, W Washington D.C. Marks a Milestone in W`s Continued Global
Expansion
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today
unveils its first hotel in the U.S. Capital with the opening of W Washington
D.C., the W brand`s 25th hotel in North America and 32nd globally. The closest
hotel to the White House, W Washington D.C. offers a progressive point of view
and reveals spectacular views from all sides of its 15th Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue location. Owned by Nakheel Hotels, W Washington D.C. takes over the
historic former Hotel Washington, which opened in 1917. The new W Hotel mixes
the historic building`s Beaux Arts architecture with the edgy yet elegant
designs of Los Angeles-based designer Dianna Wong, setting the stage for W`s
fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience, including POV (Point of
View), the hotel`s destination rooftop bar and lounge, boasting unparalleled
views of the White House and the city`s soaring monuments; W Living Room (W`s
take on the traditional hotel lobby); and two firsts for Washington D.C.: J&G
Steakhouse, from three-star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Bliss®
Spa, offering manicures, pedicures, facials and massages in a fun, no-attitude
atmosphere.

"W Washington D.C. is a global flagship for the W brand as we transform from an
American phenomenon to a global powerhouse," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand
Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "The hotel will provide guests and
locals alike with W`s unique signature programming set in a cool design
environment that gives a contemporary nod to Washington`s long history and
offers incomparable views of this most scenic U.S. city."

Iconic Architecture Mixes with Modern Design to Create the Capitol of Cool

Acclaimed designer Dianna Wong has preserved the history of the iconic Beaux
Arts architecture of the iconic former Hotel Washington building while
super-imposing W`s design style of vibrant colors, innovative textures, and
cutting-edge elements that ring in a new era of modern glamour for both
Washington`s power elite and jet setters alike. Guests first experience the
contrast of Wong`s design as they walk through the F Street entrance doors,
where they are welcomed by a digital fireplace, crackled paint, and
deconstructed fixtures and artwork symbolizing "old Washington" and the
deconstruction of the former Hotel Washington. In the W Living Room many of the
building`s original architectural elements have been restored to their former
luster, including famed plaster moldings, playful chandeliers and majestic
arches. Wong`s duality of masculine and feminine power, or as she deems it,
"pinstripes and lace," serves as a design theme throughout the new hotel.

"It's been thrilling for me to work on the first W Hotel in the nation's
capital," said Dianna Wong, principal at Dianna Wong Architecture and Interiors
in Los Angeles. "The new Obama administration has brought a sense of excitement,
elegance and youthful energy to Washington D.C. and this hotel captures those
qualities. D.C. is the seat of power in America, but the insider knows that the
dynamics of power in this town revolve around politics and pleasure. For me,
this dance is symbolized by pinstripes and black lace, a duality between
masculine and feminine - themes we use throughout the hotel. There is interplay
here between history and fashion, classic and sleek, monumental and sublime"
added Wong.

Mix and Mingle with Washington`s Power Set at POV Rooftop Bar

For decades, the former Hotel Washington`s famed rooftop terrace was the most
popular destination for presidents, politicos, and Washington`s power set,
providing the most renowned views of the White House lawn and the city`s soaring
historic monuments of any leisure spot in the nation`s capital. With the opening
of W Washington D.C., the rooftop returns, reinterpreted as a modern cocktail
lounge inspired by craft cocktail expert Sasha Petraske. Petraske, founder and
owner of the well known cocktail culture destinations Milk & Honey in Manhattan,
Little Branch in Greenwich Village and Dutch Kills in Queens, NY, has revived
classic cocktail recipes that complement the historic architecture and modern
twists found throughout the hotel. At the heart of POV`s operation is Petraske`s
signature ice program, customized for every beverage, whether it calls for
chunks from a burly 100+ pound ice block, custom cold-sculpted spears, spheres,
and pellets, or simply shaved ice. Perched atop W Washington D.C., POV features
striking red, black and white décor to complement the night sky,
floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the city, and an outdoor terrace
reconfigured with raised awnings, offering even more spectacular views.
Additionally, Petraske`s artisanal spirits and classic cocktails are available
in the 150-seat W Living Room, which serves as a social hub for guests and
locals to mingle and sip as they mix business with pleasure or transition
between the two.

Savor Sumptuous Cuisine in Style at J&G Steakhouse

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Michelin-starred culinary figure renowned
for providing dining experiences that are local in content and global in reach,
arrives in Washington for the first time with the opening of J&G Steakhouse, W
Washington D.C.`s signature restaurant. Infusing timeless and sophisticated
cuisine set in a contemporary design environment, J&G Steakhouse is a
composition of Jean-Georges` favorite dishes from his New York restaurants as
well as an inspired steakhouse menu with composed and simply grilled items. Also
designed by Wong, the dining room at J&G Steakhouse boasts 20-foot ceilings with
double height, arched windows and mirrors providing sweeping views of the White
House Gardens and the Washington Monument. San Francisco artist Julie Chang has
created a modern mural of cherry blossoms and coins on the ceilings and walls of
the restaurant, homage to the Capital City`s famous cherry trees and a nod to
the neighboring Treasury Department.

"J&G Steakhouse will bring New York cuisine to Washington D.C. in a modern take
of the classic steakhouse - Jean-Georges style with D.C. flavor. Working with
local organic farms to source sustainable products, we plan to highlight the
best of what D.C. has to offer on our menu," said Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Located just below the dining room is J&G`s stylish Wine Bar, a cozy
tavern-style lounge with slated floors, brick walls and exposed concrete beams.
A selection of old and new world wines are offered as well as hand crafted
cocktails and bottled beers from around the world. Jean-Georges has created an
informal and casual menu of dishes to enhance the Wine Bar experience and
accompany the unique libations. Guests at W Washington D.C. are also able to
enjoy Vongerichten`s award-winning cuisine whether relaxing in-room, sipping
amongst D.C.`s elite at POV, or attending a star-studded event held at the
hotel.

Indulge at Washington`s First Bliss® Spa

Bliss Spa arrives in Washington D.C. for the first time with more than
4,000-square-feet of tension-fighting facilities with a focus on manicures and
pedicures, facials, waxing, and skincare services as well as bliss signature
massages. Four treatments rooms and bliss trademark touches such as rhythm &
blues tunes, a retail beauty boutique, and the legendary brownie buffet, make
bliss washington d.c. the ultimate destination for stylish jet setters and spa
and beauty-loving locals. W Washington D.C. guests also receive "BIP" (Bliss
Important Person) status for priority reservations, exclusive in-room sampling,
and sink side bliss amenities in all guestrooms and suites.

Escape and Unwind in a Modern Refuge

W Washington D.C. features 317 stylish guestrooms, including 23 Marvelous
suites, seven WOW suites, and an Extreme WOW suite (W`s reinterpretation of the
traditional Presidential Suite), all of which incorporate Wong`s neo-romantic
designs, exemplifying the power balance of "pinstripes and lace" found
throughout the property. All guestrooms and suites feature state-of-the-art
entertainment options, including flat-screen LCD TV and docking station for MP3
players, and a fully stocked Munchie Box (W Hotels` twist of the hotel Mini
Bar), setting the stage for a night on the town or for winding down after a day
taking in the city`s illustrious museums.

Celebrate at Washington`s Premier Meeting, Event and Wedding Space

W Washington D.C. features more than 12,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting
and event space, including The Great Room (W`s take on a grand ballroom) and
Altitude Ballroom, which overlooks the Washington cityscape. Wong`s design of
The Great Room, with a capacity to hold 700 guests, is a modern interpretation
of the historic hotel`s 1920s Beaux Arts glamour, featuring a dramatic staircase
at the entrance, striking chandeliers (new and 1920s originals remodeled) and
glimmering columns throughout. Altitude Ballroom, located adjacent to POV
rooftop lounge, has a capacity for 220 guests and has quickly become
Washington`s most in-demand wedding destination.

Lavish Your Every Whim Whatever/Whenever

Other amenities at W Washington D.C. include SWEAT, state-of-the-art fitness
center; WIRED business center; 24-hour in-room dining; and dry cleaning, laundry
and valet services. Event spaces and WOW suites are connected to the National
Press Club`s satellite feed, allowing the hotel`s entertainment and news
industry guests to uplink remotes and interviews without the hassle of bringing
satellite trucks downtown. W Washington D.C. also offers the W brand`s signature
Whatever/Whenever service promise, providing guests with whatever they want -
from a private guided tour of the White House to private jet service from Reagan
National - whenever they want it, as long as it`s legal!

W Washington D.C. is located at 515 15th Street NW Washington, District of
Columbia 20004. For more information or to book, please visit
www.whotels.com/washingtondc.

About W Hotels Worldwide

W Hotels is an innovative contemporary lifestyle brand and the hotel category
buster with 32 properties in the most vibrant 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, entertainment, design, architecture,
pop culture, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual
expressions of modern living, reflected in the brand`s sensibility to a holistic
lifestyle experience with cutting-edge design, contemporary restaurant concepts,
glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas. With 10 years of proven
success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011. In North America and Latin
America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Boston, Hollywood, Huntington
Beach, Downtown New York, and Santiago. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced
in Athens, Barcelona, 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. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Nakheel Hotels

Within two years Nakheel Hotels has accumulated an impressive global hotel
property portfolio valued at over USD$4 billion which includes; the W Hotel
Union Square and the Mandarin Oriental hotels in New York City; W Hotel
Washington in Washington DC; the One & Only Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico; the
Fontainebleau, Miami Beach; Corinthia Metropole, London; and significant equity
stakes in Kerzner International Holdings Limited, operator of the Atlantis and
One&Only brands; and International Hotel Investments plc, the owner and operator
of the five-star Corinthia Hotel brand including hotels in Malta, St Petersburg,
Lisbon, Tripoli, Budapest and Prague; and the franchise for easyHotels in the
Middle East, Levant, North Africa.

Additional investments of Nakheel Hotels include the development of W Bangkok
and W Retreat and Residences Koh Samui, Thailand; investment in a fund that will
be rolling out 30 Tune Hotels in South East Asia; a 33% stake in the London
Metropole Building which will be converted to a Corinthia Hotel in partnership
with IGI; and QE2 Enterprises including the QE2.

Further information can be found at www.nakheelmediacentre.com.

THINK PR for W Hotels Worldwide
Elaine Drebot, 212-343-3920
or
The Patton Group for W Washington D.C.
Barbara Martin, 301-512-5078/301-229-6770
barbara@thepattongroupinc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009