Acura and W Hotels announced a landmark brand partnership at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, which establishes Acura as the Preferred Vehicle of W Hotels. Under the terms of the new partnership, guests staying at any of the 18 W Hotel proprieties in North America will have the opportunity to be chauffeured across town in an Acura MDX luxury SUV. Additionally, for those guests who enjoy driving more than riding, Acura vehicles will be available for test drives at select W properties. Branded the "Acura Experience," this unique livery service will be offered as an extension of W's signature Whatever/Whenever concierge service and will be available to guests starting April 1, 2008 and continuing through January 31, 2009.
"We are excited to be a part of the W Hotel experience," said John Mendel Executive Vice President, Auto Operations. "W Hotels share Acura's passion for providing experiences that advance modern life and we are thrilled to bring a new level of luxury to their guests."
"W is proud to launch this groundbreaking partnership with Acura, a brand that shares our passion for the unexpected and the extraordinary," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood's Luxury Brands Group. "The Acura Experience service is offered through the world of Whatever/Whenever, providing both jet setters and road warriors with the ultimate in experiential travel, whether in room or on the road. From Scottsdale to Shanghai, Vieques to Verbier, Montreal to Minnesota, W Hotels is the influential and innovative lifestyle authority."
Each MDX will be equipped with W essentials such as Tidy Towels, bottled water and a W CD. Guests can reserve the service through Whatever/Whenever or at an Acura Ambassador Desk located in the Living Room of select W hotels.
About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 268 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.
For additional information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please visit www.acuranews.com.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a global lifestyle brand with 21 properties in the most vibrant cities around the world. Inspiring and indulging its guests with thoughtful, refreshing and stylish experiences, signature restaurants, bars and destination spas, W has become the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world. Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design, comfort, and cultural influences from fashion and design to music and art and everything in between. W's first residential property, W Dallas-Victory, opened in June of 2006, and soon thereafter was named a Forbes Magazine "Top Business Hotel."
In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Downtown Atlanta, Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Minneapolis, Downtown New York, Philadelphia, Santiago, Scottsdale, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Milan and St. Petersburg.
In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Amman, Doha, Dubai-Festival City, Dubai-The Palm and Marrakech. W's first Retreat & Spa, W Maldives, opened in September of 2006. In 2007, W Maldives received the prestigious Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Resort. W has plans to open Retreat & Spa hotels in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W's first ski retreat.
For more information, visit www.whotels.com.
