Starwood is to open a new 400-room W Hotel in Shanghai's central financial district, Pudong. The newly built hotel, scheduled to open in 2008, is the first W in China and the 28th in the group since the brand's debut in 1998.

"With a promise of avant-garde architecture and design, an excellent location in Pudong - the central financial district of Shanghai - coupled with the signature style and hospitality for which the W brand is known, W Shanghai - Pudong, is expected to become one of Shanghai's most recognizable landmarks," said Ross Klein, President of W Hotels.

Pudong is located on the eastern side of Huangpu River of Shanghai and has grown at a phenomenal speed since the city started its development 10 years ago. Pudong is now the base of the emerging hi-tech industry and modern manufacturing industries of Shanghai and is the focus and symbol of China's economic reform.

Developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, W Shanghai - Pudong will be located right in the heart of Shanghai's central financial district. W Shanghai - Pudong will feature exciting dining, nightlife and entertainment options for which the brand is known, complete with a spa, meeting space, and a W retail store.

The W hotel brand is to open 5 international hotels in the next three years, including W Maldives – Fesdu Island, W's first resort in the world, and W Barcelona, W's first property in Europe.

Currently there are 20 W hotels worldwide in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu, Silicon Valley, Atlanta, San Diego, Sydney and Mexico City.

Recent openings include W's first property in Latin America, W Mexico City, which opened in December of 2003, W's first property in Asia, W Seoul - Walkerhill, which opened in August of 2004 and its first property in Canada, W Montreal, in October of 2004. Residence properties have been announced for Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Scottsdale, Hoboken, South Beach, Hollywood, Las Vegas and Phoenix. In addition, there are several more W Hotels in development in city and resort destinations around the world.