W Hotels Entering UK in London, Manchester

LONDON-Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is bringing its W Hotels concept to the UK with plans to open one asset here in 2010 and one in Manchester the same year. The openings are part of an aggressive push by the White Plains, NY-based company to expand the luxury chain throughout the globe.

The London hotel, called W London-Leicester Square, will open on the West End in the latter part of the year. It will include 194 guest rooms and a 10-unit Residences at W London-Leicester Square.

Starwood is partnering with Northern Ireland-based construction firm McAleer & Rushe Group on the development, which is part of a £ 160-million ($284.3-million), 10-story mixed-use project. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels represented Starwood in the deal.