Starwood signs W Hotel in Yokohama

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed a new hotel in Japan, the W Yokohama, marking the W brand's entrance into Japan. Starwood entered into a long-term relationship with Pacific Management Corporation and Penta-Ocean Construction Co. to manage this new-build hotel in Yokohama, one of Japan's major commercial centers. Boasting a prime location at the heart of the city's most forward-looking, urban development project, W Yokohama will make its debut in 2010 offering 245 guest rooms, more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a W Living Room Bar, two restaurants and a signature spa.

The W Yokohama will offer sweeping harbor views from its prime water-front location next to the Red Brick Warehouse, a refurbished shopping area with a variety of boutiques, restaurants and live music venues. The city's top attractions, including Sankeien Garden, Shomyoji Temple and Japan's largest Chinatown, are easily accessible via the city's sleek new subway system.

Located 18 miles west of Tokyo, the forward-looking city of Yokohama is experiencing brisk growth in its biotechnology and semiconductor sectors and continued expansion of its convention business. In addition to offering direct access to the city's most important business centers, W Yokohama will be less than 30 minutes drive from Haneda Airport, Tokyo's main domestic airport.

"The entry of the W brand into Japan is truly an exciting moment for us. The signing of W Yokohama marks the debut of this luxury lifestyle brand in Japan, and will be a major cornerstone for the W brand's presence in Japan and in Asia," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. "As Japan's second largest city, Yokohama and its southern suburbs have traditionally been a place of escape, enjoyment and relaxation for Tokyo's well-to-do. Given its position as Japan's largest port, home to a considerable expatriate community and high-end boutiques, Yokohama enjoys nationwide recognition as a sophisticated and alluring destination, a great fit with the W brand."

The W Yokohama is the latest addition to the brand's fast-growing international collection of hotels. W has recently announced plans to open hotels in Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Koh Samui, Santiago, Dubai, Doha and Macau. These properties will follow the openings of the W Retreat & Spa-Maldives, W Montreal, and W Mexico City.

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