White Plains, NY – January 22, 2009 – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and leading industry innovator, today introduces a new level of style and sophistication to Atlanta with the opening of W Atlanta–Buckhead in one of the country’s ten most affluent communities. A style icon amid specialty shopping, the hottest nightlife, landmark corporations and upscale living, W Atlanta-Buckhead is perfectly poised in a destination where modern luxury meets Southern charm. The hotel is designed by style icon Thom Filicia who has re-imagined country club chic, blending his whimsical style with the W brand’s well-known signature style, contemporary design and luxurious amenities.  Owned and developed by Noble Investment Group, W Atlanta-Buckhead features 291 stylish guest rooms, including four WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite (W Hotels’ interpretation of a Presidential Suite), a glamorous heated outdoor infinity-edge pool surrounded by private cabanas, the American debut of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s critically-acclaimed Market, and Whiskey Blue, a stylish rooftop bar and lounge from famed nightlife impresario Rande Gerber.

“We are excited to unveil W Atlanta-Buckhead, to further strengthen our footprint in the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations. W Atlanta-Buckhead mixes contemporary design with the charm and traditions of Buckhead to create a compelling platform to experience an insider escape into a world of wow,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts.  “Combining culinary delights developed by Jean Georges Vongerichten, and cool nightlife options, W Atlanta-Buckhead provides leading-edge lifestyle solutions to the exclusive neighborhood of Buckhead.”

“Noble is proud to bring our second stylish W to our Atlanta home.  We purposefully brought together W, Thom Filicia, Rande Gerber, and Jean George Vongerichten, where together, we have created dynamic sensory interactions that promise to make W Atlanta-Buckhead an irresistible destination where guests will experience modern luxury and southern hospitality together as one,” said Mit Shah, CEO of Noble.

Design guru, Thom Filicia, known for his role on NBC/Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” as the interior design specialist for the “Fab Five” and for his critically acclaimed New York-based design firm Thom Filicia, Inc., blends time-honored classic simplicity with an unexpected modern flair to create a comfortable yet sophisticated urban escape.  With simple, strong lines and a muted palette with splashes of bold color, rich textures and smart patterns, Filicia maintains the grand traditions of Southern hospitality, paying homage to the city’s deep history and culture.  Filicia, who in the past two years has redesigned W Hotels’ iconic W Los Angeles property and renovated the Living Room space of W San Diego, combines a relaxed, urban style with W’s spectacular amenities and chic design elements, giving guests the calm feeling of visiting close friends in this prestigious Southern community.

“I’m thrilled to have worked on W Atlanta-Buckhead,” said Thom Filicia. “It is a place where southern hospitality meets modern style. My designs are for a comfortable, stylish urban environment infused with the historical references that define the rich style and tradition of Buckhead. It has the feel of a social club and is well suited for the demanding modern traveler as well as the young affluent Atlanta tastemaker.”

Fun and always flirty, W Atlanta-Buckhead’s distinctively unique W Living Room experience converts the traditional idea of a hotel lobby into a playful wonderland with its oversized furniture and framed mirrors that reflect a playground dedicated to wow.  Engaging guests with retro-inspired board games for hours of fun or colorful, signature W cocktails from the library-style bar, the Living Room evolves throughout the day from a cozy, intimate meet-up to an ultra-chic lounge with a live DJ spinning the hottest sounds.

Market by Jean-Georges
W Atlanta-Buckhead marks the American debut of Market. Emphasizing comfort and creativity, the menu reinvents classic dishes with eclectic flair, allowing guests to try new flavor combinations and explore spices from other regions, all while remaining close to home. Market is a compilation of the chef’s culinary repertoire, featuring enough depth and variety to satisfy any mood or palate.  Vongerichten creates a modern twist on traditional favorites, adding strong international influences from France, Italy and Asia. Extending into the W Living Room, Market’s delectable bites and exotic mixed libations from the renowned chef set the mood for a continued culinary journey. 

Rande Gerber’s Whiskey Blue
A contemporary update of a vintage Palm Springs retreat, infused with mid-century modernism and 1970s-inspired glamour surrounded by penthouse views of the South’s most desirable skyline, Rande Gerber and the Gerber Group bring their trademark design, fashionable clientele and signature cocktails to W Atlanta-Buckhead’s Whiskey Blue rooftop bar destination.  True to Gerber’s sophisticated allure, guests will take a private glass elevator to a beautifully-illuminated walkway with dramatic views on one side and a sculptural installation on the other, as starlight and dynamic visuals reflected in polished stainless steel panels pave the way. Whether star-gazing with a few friends or listening to the hottest beats from the live DJ, sky is truly the limit at Atlanta’s second Whiskey venue.

Beyond its spectacular public spaces, W Atlanta-Buckhead’s distinctive country club ambience includes many signature W indulgences for guests. SWEAT, the hotel’s fully equipped techno-gym featuring the latest in cardio, strength and free-weights exercise equipment, offers specialized one-on-one training sessions for those looking to stay in shape on the road, while WET is sure to make a splash with guests, offering a heated outdoor infinity-edge pool overlooking Atlanta’s legendary Peachtree Road and stylish private cabanas complete with plush signature W robes, slippers, personal services and wireless Internet.  For guests whose work comes before play, W Atlanta-Buckhead offers a full-service WIRED business center open 24-hours and more than 8,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space. 

All guest rooms and suites at W Atlanta-Buckhead include the W Hotels signature bed with feather-top mattress, 350 threat-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down comforter, creating the ultimate urban escape.  The hotel also offers the W Brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® concierge service, providing guests whatever they want – from front row tickets to the hottest show at the historic Fox Theatre to a private shopping consultation for that perfect gown at Neiman Marcus – whenever they want it. 

Designed by Filicia in collaboration with the award winning design teams of W Hotels, Noble Investment Group and Ai Design Group, W Atlanta-Buckhead is the third W Hotel in this vibrant city and the latest to join W’s growing global portfolio, following recent openings in Hong Kong, Istanbul, Minneapolis and Scottsdale.  Founded in 1998 in New York City, W Hotels continues to transform into a global powerhouse. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011 in vibrant primary destinations around the world, from Paris to Milan, Barcelona to London, Dubai to Doha, Santiago to South Beach, and Shanghai to Bali.

More than a hotel brand, W Hotels has established itself as an iconic lifestyle brand, offering guests unprecedented insider access to a world of “Wow” through contemporary cool design, fashion, nightlife, celebrities, entertainment and other. W Hotels has forever changed the hospitality landscape with a series of industry firsts in the past 10 years, including: the transformation of the hotel lobby into the W Living Room experience; the introduction of the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever concierge service as a vehicle to fulfill every guest’s dreams; extension of the lifestyle experience into retail through W Hotels the Store; sensorial multiplex with branded W CD compilations released each year; the reinterpretation of the hotel mini-bar into the W “Munchie Box” to present the brand’s lifestyle point of view; and the reinvention of the presidential suite into W’s “Extreme Wow” and “Wow” suites.

About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is an innovative luxury lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 26 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 cultural influences from fashion to music, pop culture to art, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual expressions of modern living, reflected in the brand’s sensibility to design contemporary restaurant concepts, 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, Downtown Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Downtown New York, Santiago, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Milan 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 Amman, Doha, Dubai-Festival City and Marrakech. W has plans to open W Retreat & Spa properties 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 Noble Investment Group
Noble is a leading sponsor of private equity real estate funds and an integrated operating and development organization that specializes in making value-added investments in hotels and resorts throughout North America. An award winning operator of more than 8,000 hotel and resort guest rooms, convention and conference centers with approximately 1 million sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as day and resort spas, upscale restaurants, and branded retail coffee stores, Noble and its predecessors have realized superior risk-adjusted returns while acquiring and developing over $2.5 billion in lodging and hospitality assets. Noble’s current discretionary private equity fund represents $310 million of equity commitments, which provides the organization the ability to invest approximately $1 billion in lodging-related assets. For more information, visit www.nobleinvestment.com

About Thom Filicia, Inc
Founded in 1998, Thom Filicia, Inc. (TFI) quickly gained celebrity for its unique aesthetic approach to the residential, hospitality and commercial markets.  Based in New York City’s Soho, TFI has attracted a diverse roster of prestigious clients ranging from international luxury hotel companies to leaders in fashion, entertainment, real estate and finance.  Founder and principal, Thom Filicia, the star of Style Network’s Dress My Nest and design guru from TV’s Emmy award winning Queer Eye, is able to uniquely blend the worlds of mass media and high-end interior design to create a daringly indelible impression.  Properties designed by TFI respect the importance of architecture, space, detail, and experience, while balancing a client's needs with the TFI aesthetic.  For more information, visit www.thomfilicia.com.