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Renowned Designer Vicente Wolf Brings High-Design Coloration
& Distinct Sense of Style to 126 Atrium Club Rooms at
The Westin New York At Times Square

Residential Rooms Include In-Room Apple iMac G5 Computers &
Complimentary Access to Internet, Health Club & Atrium Club Lounge

NEW YORK – April 12, 2010 – “Are big hotels willing to take a risk in this economy?” questioned renowned designer Vicente Wolf. “The Westin New York at Times Square did,” Wolf said, answering his own question. The hotel is proud to announce 126 Atrium Club Rooms by Wolf. A leader in the design industry, Wolf’s work has earned him impressive accolades in his 35-year career, including recognition as one of the 10 most influential designers in the U.S. by House Beautiful, and a place on the Architectural Digest ‘Top 100’ designers list. Formally named the Executive Club rooms, the redesign is the final stage of the hotel’s $24 million, four-year refreshment program that transformed the entire hotel’s look and feel.

The vision of the project was for rooms that are a step outside of the generic design comfort that most large-scale hotels stay in, according to Wolf. To do this, he used pieces that have a residential and custom look, with craftsman-quality elements, in addition to a play of textures
and colors. Different tonalities allow the rooms to keep changing as the light alters throughout the day.

Color, specifically shades of blue, was a major factor in the redesign. The use of high-end coloration being touted in recent leading design magazines was used as a strong direction to create a haven of serenity which will make travelers forget they are above the hustle and bustle of Times Square. “We stepped away from the non-descript beiges and went towards a more residential, high-end color palate; colors that say serenity. I love water colors because they always speak to calm, which is a needed contrast in Times Square,” Wolf said.

Approaching the room, guests will feel renewed as they walk through the corridors framed in soothing shades of pale blue greens that create a sense of intimacy and carries emotion into the new rooms. The hallways, a noteworthy element of the redesign according to Wolf, feature artwork from Bernice Abbott that evokes visions of New York City’s past into this modern environment. Inside the oversized rooms, some as large as 470 square feet, sleek and modern silver lamps bounce light off of the textured walls, a pale shade of robin’s egg blue, to create a sea of varying hues of blue reflecting throughout the room. The sense of buoyancy can be felt no matter what the weather is outside, evoking a lightness of spirit and mood. “I had a clear vision of the emotions that guests should have: pampered and serene. We accomplished that,” Wolf declared as he explained this is a departure from the approach of most mass-market hotels.

Working with height, such as the raised headboards, was meant to lend a subliminal touch that plays into the uplifting spirit of the rooms, as described by Wolf. The soft, pillow-like blue-grey upholstered headboard extends all the way to the ceiling behind the famous, white, Westin
Heavenly Bed®. Rooms that have window seats use the same soft textured fabric as the headboard, giving visitors the luxury of comfortably gazing outside for as long as they please.

To the right side of the bed, a table with an open shelf and drawers is made of cerused wood, topped by a white linen-covered lamp sitting on top of marble, and the left bedside table is a lighter oak topped by a second white linen-covered lamp and a Vers alarm clock, radio, and
iPod docking station.

A haven for business travelers, featuring complimentary Internet access, the spacious work area is as comfortable and functional as it is stylish; the oversized desk is hand-wrapped in sable and topped with frosted glass with bluish tones. Sitting on top is a fully-loaded 17” Apple iMac 5G computer with a wireless mouse and keyboard. The comfortable Edwardian-style desk chair is upholstered in neutral-toned tweed. Also perched on the desk is a 42” flat panel LCD high-definition television with Energy Star rating.

Other unusual pieces adorning the room include an oversized mirror framed in brushed metallic silver that leans against the wall, framed photos from Wolf’s own portfolio, and a woven wood decorative piece hung on the wall, evocative of a Chinese window that conveys a subtle global feel. A comfortable deep blue plush chair offers another option for lounging.

In the bathroom, Wolf designed a white vanity which gives guests more counter space than before, and frosted-glass sliding barn doors framed in blue for the closet. The feel of serenity continues with the amenities, provided by L'Occitane, a company devoted to well-being and the pleasure of delighting and caring for oneself.

“The technology in the rooms, paired with Wolf’s relaxing design aesthetic will put travelers at ease while on the road.” said Gerard Widder, general manager at The Westin New York at Times Square. “Our new rooms allow guests to take a step away from what is around them,
even if it’s just for a moment to recharge.”

Guests who stay in the Atrium Club Rooms will enjoy complimentary access to the hotel’s fitness center and the Atrium Club Lounge. The Atrium Club Lounge, also designed by Wolf and set to open on April 5, mirrors design notes of the new rooms, and features complimentary services including continental breakfast featuring Superfoods, afternoon snacks, evening hors d’oeuvres, an honor bar, unlimited beverages including water, soda, cappuccino and espresso, wireless Internet access, dedicated concierge services, and use of semi-private workspaces with computers/printers.

For hotel reservations and information, call 1-888-627-7149 or visit www.westinny.com.

A distinguished AAA Four Diamond ranked hotel, The Westin New York at Times Square, with its eye-catching façade and signature beam of light, is located at 270 W. 43rd Street in the heart of the world-acclaimed theater district and within walking distance to many family-friendly sights in Times Square. The newly-renovated hotel is the first Westin Hotel and first property in New York to receive the GS-33 Lodging Properties Silver certification from Green Seal™. All 863 guestrooms and suites, including the 126 Atrium Club Rooms designed by Vicente Wolf, feature Westin's world famous Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Bathsm; workstation with task lights, cordless phone, voicemail, data ports, and wireless and high-speed Internet access; dual-line phones; an intelligent refrigerated refreshment center replenishing favorite items automatically; in-room safe that can accommodate a laptop; AM/FM clock radio; deluxe grooming amenities; iron/ironing board; hair dryer; One-Cup coffee maker with complimentary Starbucks® coffee; individual climate control, and most offer incredible views of the city and the Hudson River. The entire 23rd floor of the hotel has been converted into Spa Inspired Guestrooms that feature an electronic Shiatsu Massage chair, aromatherapy bath amenities, a mini-bar with healthy alternatives, health and fitness magazines and more. Nestled atop the 44th floor with sweeping vistas of the Hudson River is the 1,200-square foot Renewal Suite which features chromotherapy, digital art, a spa bath, tranquil water, and light and music features throughout. The hotel features New York City’s first Shula’s Steak House; Bar 10, a trendy lounge; wireless internet access throughout; 24-hour room service; a fitness center; a spa with treatment rooms and saunas; a concierge and theater ticket desk, among other services. The Westin New York at Times Square was named one of America’s Top 11 Healthiest Hotels by Health magazine and AOL CityGuide and is a certified member of the Green Hotels Association. The hotel is interconnected to E Walk®, a 200,000 square-foot entertainment and retail complex featuring movie theaters, restaurants, and shops.