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W HOTELSWORLDWIDE DEBUTS GLOBAL FLAGSHIP,

W HOLLYWOOD HOTEL & RESIDENCES 

A New StarRises Above the Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Hollywood, CA – February 1, 2010 – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, recaptures the spirit of Hollywood glamour with the unveiling of W Hollywood Hotel & Residences.  Kicking off another year of strong global growth, W Hollywood marks the first of nine new W Hotels slated to open in 2010, from London to St Petersburg, Russia; New York Downtown to Vieques, Puerto Rico; Guangzhou,China to Koh Samui, Thailand.  Located at the historic intersection of Hollywood Boulevardand Vine, this $350 million complex, developed by Gatehouse Capital and owned by HEI/Gatehouse, in affiliation with the Los Angeles MTA, offers W’s jet-setting guests and Hollywood’sfashionable locals a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience.   

“Just as New York, the birthplace of W Hotels, is the fashion capital of the world, Hollywood is the global epicenter of entertainment, and together, fashion andentertainment make up W’s core passions,” said Eva Ziegler, Global BrandLeader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “Therefore, set in a perfect destination with a location on the cornerof pop culture’s most iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, W Hollywood is set to serve as a global flagship for the W brand.”  

“Theopening of W Hollywood marks the completion of a ten year journey for Gatehouse Capital and our partners, and we are proud tointroduce this stunning, modern, and truly sustainable property,” said MartyCollins, president and CEO of Gatehouse Capital, developer of the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. “We have paired an iconic brand to an iconic intersection in a city that is a global destination recognized the world over, and in doing so, ushered in a second Golden Age that will redefine and revitalize modern Hollywood.”

“W Hollywood is a crown jewel for our developmentpartnership, and offers a truly unique location that is a perfect blend of lifestyle, entertainment, hospitality and commerce.,” said Clark Hanrattie, Chief Investment Officer for HEIHotel & Resorts. “We are confidant that W Hollywood will be the flashpoint of entertainment, art, fashion, culture and music on a global stage for years to come.”

Old Hollywood Glamour Meets Modern, Cutting-Edge Design

Dedicated to contributing to a green-conscious community and a cleaner environment, W Hollywood is registered for LEED®-Silver certification and is also the largest property registered for LEED® certification in Southern California, combining eco-conscious construction with stylish design, luxe finishes, dramatic views, modern art and premium services. With top architecture firm HKS Architects, interior designers designstudio Ltd., interior architecture firm Daly Genik Architects and landscape architect Rios Clementi Hale Studios at the helm, this team of world-class design professionals offered inspired interpretations from the idea of a new Hollywood glamour.

In this spirit, W Hollywood guests are given star-studded treatment in true Hollywood fashion as they walk the plush “red carpet” to arrive at the Welcome Desk and signature W Living Room, W’s modern take on the hotel lobby. Guests, residents and LA insiders can sip and socialize on the adjoining outdoor terrace and ground-floor lounge, featuring black tufted leather sofas, lounge chairs and a decadent backlit lobby bar crafted of glowing OniceFantastico onyx. Punctuating the contemporary Living Room, is a spectacular spiral stair case of white marble set against a backdrop of a curved bronze mosaic wall and a striking chandelier cascading from the gilded ceiling above.

Recharge Highabove the Hollywood Scene

After an evening of indulgence, escape the scene and recharge in one of W Hollywood’s 305 guest rooms, including W’s signature WOW Suitesand the Extreme WOW Suite (W’s reinterpretation of the traditional PresidentialSuite). Guestrooms and suites feature W's signature beds with a feather-topmattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down comforters, state-of-the-art entertainment anda fully stocked Munchie Box (W Hotels’ twist on the hotel Mini Bar).

Move In andOwn Up to the Ultimate Hollywood Lifestyle

The Residences at WHollywood offers 143 W-branded Residences for purchase, featuring one, two andthree bedroom units, with most featuring spectacular views of the world famousHollywood Sign and other Los Angeleslandmarks. Residence owners have access to W Hollywood’s modern amenities aswell as preferred dining reservations and seating at the hotel’s signaturerestaurant, nightclub, and lounges; Welcome Ambassadors and round the clocksecurity; two WET® pools, including the private W Residences pool; WHEELS valetservice; SWEAT® state-of-the-art fitness facility; and W’s signature Whatever/Wheneverservice promise, providing both hotel guests and residents alike with whateverthey want – from front row seats at the world-famous Kodak Theatre to privateshopping excursion on Melrose Avenue – whenever they want it, as long as itslegal! For information on The Residences at W Hollywood,please contact 323.469.8800.

Victor DraiReturns to Create New Nightlife Destination in Hollywood

The piece de resistance isundoubtedly the hotel’s expansive open air rooftop pool deck, bar and nightclubby Drai’s, from nightclub impresario Victor Drai.  Replete with spectacular panoramic views,first rate architectural design, a “Drai’s style” restaurant featuring thecreative cuisine of Chef Claude Segal and an ultra exclusive lounge on theground floor of the hotel for members and invitation only events, there isn'tanother space in Los Angelesthat can attract the stars like this crown jewel of nightlife. The pool decks and club is adorned with a selection ofreclining chairs, chaises, sun beds and sectional sofas surrounding a fire pit,while the raised Ipe wood deck is adorned with Moroccan-inspired cabanas, outfittedwith lounging sofas and flat screen TVs.

Sip, Mix andIndulge at IDG’s Latest Restaurant Concept

Delphine Brasserie makesits debut at W Hollywood with its classic and modern interpretations of Frenchcuisine from Innovative Dining Group,the restaurant group behind such Los Angeles hot spots as Sushi Roku, Katana and BOA, amongothers. Delphine, conceptualized by world-renowned designer Dodd Mitchell,evokes the atmosphere of the South of France by blending vibrant colors,classic archways and an open-air feel inspired by the Cote d’Azur.   Guestscan also grab a bite and watch the latest premiere or visual art feature atStation Hollywood, an al fresco outdoor lounge setting equipped with adrop-down cinema-style screen, cushy teak framed sectional seating, fire pitsand an outdoor bar. 

Escape to Hollywood’s First Bliss^® Spa 

BlissSpa arrives in Hollywoodfor the first time with more than 6,000-square-feet of tension-fightingfacilities with a focus on manicures and pedicures, facials, waxing, andskincare services as well as bliss signature massages. Seven treatments roomsand bliss trademark touches such as rhythm & blues tunes, a retail beautyboutique, and the legendary brownie buffet, make bliss hollywood the ultimate destination forstylish jet setters and spa and beauty-loving locals.  W Hollywoodguests and residents will receive “BIP” (Bliss Important Person) status forpriority reservations, exclusive in-room sampling, and sink side blissamenities in all guestrooms and suites.

W Hollywood’s other distinctive elements includesubstantial modern retail space, 10,000 square feet of  meeting, banquet and pre-function space, and15,000 square feet of ultra-modern event space, including The Great Room (W’stake on the grand ballroom). Creative in approach and innovative design,meeting spaces set the stage for success using a unique Sensory Set Up® withmood music, signature scents and more to engage and energize attendants. W Hollywood’s full service business center, WIRED, isalso open 24 hours a day. 

W Hollywood Hotel & Residences is located at 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California.  For more information or to make a reservation,please visit www.whotels.com/hollywood.

About W Hotels Worldwide®

W Hotels is an innovative contemporary lifestyle brandand the hotel category buster with 36 hotels and retreats in the most vibrantcities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovativeand influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of"Wow." Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design andpassions around fashion, music and entertainment.  W Hotels offers aholistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibilitythrough contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, andsignature spas.  With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track todouble its footprint by 2011. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced forDowntown New York, London, Paris,St. Petersburg, Guangzhou,Shanghai, Bali, Vieques Island,Koh Samui, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For moreinformation, visit www.whotels.com.

AboutGatehouse Capital

Founded in 1995, Gatehouse Capital is a national realestate investment and development firm based in Dallas, Texas.Currently engaging in the development and redevelopment of mixed-use propertiesinvolving upscale hotels in high barrier, urban and technology markets,Gatehouse has a reputation for both elevating brands and being elevated bybrands. By partnering with industry leaders and visionaries throughout itscollective team, Gatehouse revalidates its core mission: to deliverextraordinary developments in every send, beginning with economic return. www.gatehousecapital.com

About HEIHotels & Resorts

HEI Hotels &Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm thatacquires, develops, owns and operates full-service, upper upscale and luxuryhotels and resorts throughout the United States under such well-known brand names asMarriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Embassy Suites, and Hilton.  Formore information about HEI, visit the company’s website, www.heihotels.com.

About Drai’s

Victor Drai is a legendary French entrepreneur, filmproducer and lifestyle magnate who transformed his own Hollywoodlife into a brand with his successful restaurant, Drai's on La Cienega.  After leaving Hollywoodfor Las Vegasin 1997, Drai forever changed the world’snightclub scene with the opening Drai’s After Hours on the Vegas Strip. The club’s 1 a.m.to early morning schedule helped make it the first after-hours venue in Sin City.  His newest venture, Drai's Hollywood,will deliver a first class nightlife destination to the entertainment capitalof the world. For more information, please visit www.draishollywood.com

About Innovative DiningGroup

Innovative Dining Groupcurrently operates seven of the most popular and successful restaurants in LosAngeles: Sushi Roku (with locations in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, andPasadena), BOA Steakhouse (with locations in West Hollywood and Santa Monica),Katana in West Hollywood, and Robata Bar in Santa Monica. In September 2008,IDG opened Sushi Roku in the new W Hotel in Scottsdale—therestaurant group’s first Arizonaproperty. The company also operates a BOA Steakhouse and Sushi Roku at the ForumShops at Caesars Palacein Las Vegas.All of IDG’s venues reflect bold, modern interpretations of traditionalconcepts, reflective of the company’s youthful, dynamic partners. For moreinformation, please visit www.innovativedining.comor IDG’s page on Facebook.

About Bliss

Foundedin 1996 in New York City,bliss was spotted by beauty-obsessed buzz-makers and quickly massaged its wayto the top…and soon after, across the map.  There are currently 18 blissspas worldwide, including 14 locations within W Hotels, bliss’ exclusive hotelspa and in-room amenity partner. Bliss retails its spa-at-home skin and bodycare products through its bliss catalog, blissworld.com web site, bliss sparetail boutiques and at international retailers including Bloomingdale's, BlueMercury, Harrod's, Harvey Nichols, Lane Crawford, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue,Sephora, and Ulta.  For more information, visit www.blissworld.com.