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W Fort Lauderdale Opening in Early March, So They Say

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 401 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard [map], Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States, 33304

December 2, 2008 at 2:40 PM | 3 Comments

The last bit of news we heard on the W Fort Lauderdale was that it would be opening in January 2009. But according to this article on the W Talent Show--otherwise known as a hiring fair--that the hotel is holding, doors won't be open to guests until early March.

W Fort Lauderdale will be the brand’s introduction to the Florida market. Located on Fort Lauderdale’s beach, the 517-room, 23-story, two-tower hotel will offer ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and downtown views. The hotel will include a Stephen Starr restaurant, a 4,000-square-foot Bliss Spa and its signature bar, Whiskey Blue.

That will be two new Ws for Fort Lauderdale South Florida this spring as the W South Beach is expected to open in late April. Meanwhile, the talent show is being held at the Galleria Mall from now through Saturday from 10am. to 7pm.

Now, there's just one thing that makes us a weeee bit concerned. The hotel's own website says it's opening March 1st but that reservations aren't being taken until June 1st. Oy. Hopefully, that's just a typo.

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Author Photo: juliana by juliana

3 Comments

Return to » W Fort Lauderdale Opening in Early March, So They Say

  1. writerguyfl

    HotelChatter Member
    December 2, 2008 at 8:40 PM




    W South Beach is Not Ft Lauderdale

    This article states there will be two Ws in Fort Lauderdale once the W South Beach opens.  Not true.  W South Beach is (wait for it...) in South Beach.  That's at least 25 miles from Fort Lauderdale.  

    Last week you had a story complaining that the only Ritz-Carlton in LA isn't in LA.  I'm not quite sure what that complaint was about, considering it's called the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey.  It seems a bit disingenuous to make that complaint only to disidentify the W South Beach as being in Fort Lauderdale.  

    For the uninitiated, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach/South Beach are vastly different.  While you certainly can visit both in one trip, don't expect it to be easy.  From here in Fort Lauderdale Beach to South Beach, it's a good hour's drive, without traffic.  During rush hour it's a nightmare as you have to drive through both Downtown areas.

  1. juliana

    HotelChatter
    December 3, 2008 at 1:08 AM




    Good Lord, I messed up...Bad.

    That is the worst typo I think I have ever made here on HotelChatter. Thanks for correcting. In real life, I do know the difference between fort lauderdale and south beach. My parents live in Florida and the Fort Lauderdale airport is my hub when I visit.

    As for the Ritz in Marina del Rey, that's def. not in LA proper. Don't expect to get to Hollywood in 10 minutes or anything.

  1. Stan

    HotelChatter Member
    December 3, 2008 at 7:48 AM




    Slow construction or slow tourist season?

    I haven't been over to the Ft. Lauderdale strip lately so I haven't seen the W to see how it's coming along. Typically actual opening dates in South Florida are months after announced dates {Canyon Ranch was almost 2 years late!} but it's frequently because of a lack of construction workers. In today's economy, I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Makes me think they're delaying the opening until after most of the tourist season has come and gone to save some serious operating costs.

    They're having a job fair the weekend of December 10th so they may be serious about opening in March. Nah, who am I kidding?

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