W New York: Downtown’s hottest attraction
Published: Jan 5, 2011 16:40 Updated: Jan 5, 2011 16:40
When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown. Those aren’t just the lyrics to Petula Clark’s classic song, but also sound advice for those in New York City — whether a businessman in town for work, a local wanting to be in the center of the hip scene, or a tourist looking for something, well, less touristy; there’s no finer place for sure – especially with a brand new W Hotel to make you forget all your troubles.
W Hotels Worldwide infused some much-needed panache into Wall Street with the opening of its newest masterpiece: W New York- Downtown Hotel & Residences. Almost eight years since the last W Hotel opened in Manhattan, W New York- Downtown is just what the Financial District needed. All those bankers, stock traders, and financial analysts now have the most chic venue to melt away thoughts of ROI, RSI, IPO, EPS because at the W only one letter matters.
“The opening of W New York — Downtown, which expands our hometown footprint, marks a milestone for the W brand,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “Built from the ground up, our latest hotel will bring innovative design, modern style, and a pulse of new energy to this historic neighborhood.”
Located on the corner of Washington and Albany Streets, and designed by lead architect Gwathmey Siegel and Associates, W New York — Downtown features 58 floors of state-of-the art, stylish amenities in Manhattan’s fastest growing residential destination. Developed by The Moinian Group, W New York — Downtown is W Hotels’ first residential development in the city, offering a world-class contemporary lifestyle experience for both its guests and residents.
“The opening of this hotel and residential tower is the culmination of a five year labor of love,” says Joe Moinian of The Moinian Group. “From the time we purchased the property in 2005 to the selection of the building’s designers and W Hotels as a brand partner, our goal was always to deliver a world-class destination location that would help re-shape life and lifestyle in Lower Manhattan. When people discuss a turning point in the dynamics of the FiDi residential and hospitality market, this project will be recognized as that turning point.”
The line of boutique hotels is known for its innovative and design-led concepts. At the W New York — Downtown it’s no different. The 217 guest rooms and 223 W-branded residences offer an unparalleled panorama of the city skyline. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Hudson River and Battery Park can all be seen through the glass-clad tower, whose five-story, limestone and glass podium features a subtle grid pattern of white, grey and clear glass panels, adding a highly modern element to this neighborhood’s developing landscape.
The W’s inside is even more “WOW.” Designed by Berlin-based GRAFT studio, the hotel's interior is based on the creative idea of a “ripple effect” or wave of energy, creating internal movement that will resound through the surrounding Downtown community. Upon arrival, guests and residents will immediately experience this ripple effect concept with a spectacular light shower installation by UK light sculptor Bruce Munro, renowned for his adventurous sculptural light works and installations. Suspended from the second floor ceiling and reaching down to the street lobby, the massive light installation is undulates different color schemes, creating a stylishly chic ambiance. The sense of glowing waves of energy continues into the Living Room Bar & Terrace, the hotel’s stylish lounge and sophisticated nightlife venue with wraparound outdoor space.
The hotel’s “ripple effect” design concept flows into the guestrooms around the perimeter, ascending up the walls and across the room with a glowing lighting effect. Guestrooms and suites feature W signature the most comfortable feather-top mattresses, 350 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down comforters and pillows that make you just want to melt upon contact. The rooms also include in-room entertainment systems that are state-of-the-art in terms of both technology and style. Their sleek exteriors compliment the contemporary décor that subtly incorporates exotic animal patterns. At your disposal is a fully stocked Munchie Box (the W brand’s take on the hotel mini bar), which includes designer goodies, like DVF’s make-up survival kit!
W’s signature Whatever/Whenever service will fulfill any request at a moment’s notice, offering guests whatever they want — from a helicopter tour of Lower Manhattan to backstage passes at New York Fashion Week — whenever they want it, as long as its legal!
From Hong Kong to Hollywood, South Beach to Santiago, W hotels are spreading to the most vibrant corners of the globe. And yet no matter where they are, they seem to always to steal the spotlight. Wednesday nights in any of these eclectic cities is always a W night.
At the W New York, the staff becomes your most intimate friends. Always helpful even beyond the scope of their job description, you feel like they’re truly there to make sure you have a great time. Just ask and the concierge will give you a list of hip restaurants when you want to get out — which won’t be often. But in case you do, there are endless possibilities in this chic neighborhood.
One highly recommended possibility is a day at one of W Hotels’ signature spa partners. Bliss spa, which supplies the awesome-smelling hotel toiletries, is not to be missed. Bliss’ most-popular all-around complexion reviver includes intensive cleansing, exfoliating, a fruit acid wash, a pre-extraction oxygen wrap, the necessary extractions, a calming oxygen and milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack and vitaminized oxygen spray. It’s called the Triple Oxygen Treatment, but has been nicknamed the “WOW Facial.” Yes, it’s that good.
W Hotels aren’t trendy or kitsch. They’re inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential. They provide their guests with the ultimate insider access to a world of "Wow." Based on a unique mix of innovative design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment, the W Hotels offer 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. And as Petula Clark would say: Things'll be great when you're downtown. Don't wait a minute more, downtown. Everything's waiting for you, downtown.