THE first W Hotel on the Chinese mainland is set to open in Guangzhou on Feb. 27, according to its parent group, global hospitality giant Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The design-conscious boutique hotel chain claims to be introducing “cutting-edge architectural and interior designs” by a group of international designers.

    With 320 guest rooms and suites, W Hotel Guangzhou will be located in the new district of Pearl River New Town. The building is asymmetrical and its exterior will mostly be black glass with areas of color, as well as architectural cutouts. It was designed by Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim, whose works also include Hong Kong’s International Finance Center.

    Interior highlights include a four-story lit glass loft decorated with in-glass optical fiber strings by A.N.D. architect and designer Kosaka from Tokyo, and a huge three-story water installation called the “Luminous Water Wall” in the entrance, which was created by Water Entertainment Technologies from L.A.

    “We are delighted to introduce a design for W Guangzhou that is unique, bold and striking — and that will set the stage for an experience unlike any other in Guangzhou,” said Liu Weili, design and technical services vice president of Starwood China.

    Altogether, W now runs 43 hotels and retreats, including 15 W-branded residences around the world. Following Guangzhou, Shanghai will have its own W, situated in Lujiazui, from 2014.

    “The debut of the W brand on the Chinese mainland is a true milestone in our expansion into the world’s most vibrant and exciting destinations,” said Paul James, global brand leader of W Hotels Worldwide. “The iconic design of W Guangzhou, combined with the hotel’s dynamic bars and restaurants and whatever/whenever service philosophy, will bring a new style of hospitality to this major Chinese city.”

    Starwood owns nine hotel brands all over the world. With the arrival of W Hotel Guangzhou, Starwood’s brands in China now include Sheraton, Le Meridien, Westin, St.Regis, The Luxury Collection, A Loft, and Four Points by Sheraton. The only remaining outlier is Element by Westin.(Maggie Tang)