HotelChatter

Despite the budget history across the pond, very little will change once St. Giles moves in. Judging from their website, these hotel properties will not be changing in decor at all. The furniture, the red faux leather pillows, lamps and overly stylized hallways will be exactly the same. And presumably, so will this view from The Court's "Fantastic Suite". Other modern amenities and 24-hour room service are expected to remain as well.

What won't be in the rooms are all those little W touches like Bliss toiletries, W swag from the minibar and other W branded items and services. And you won't be able to use or earn Starwood Preferred Guest points here. However, they will still charge you for internet. Hopefully it's not more than $17. And in case you were curious, the Bliss toiletries will be replaced by the brand, Archive Essentials.

Room reservations for the hotels will open on April 15. We don't expect the room rates to change that much. There could be a chance that they will decrease slightly since the W name is no longer but we'll let you know as soon as we can. In the meantime, got scoops on the new brand inside these old W Hotels? Then spill it here.

Official Statement from W Hotels:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has signed an agreement to sell W New York – The Court and W New York – The Tuscany to St. Giles Hotels, LLC, a hotel owner and operator, operating under the St. Giles Hotel's new contemporary brand. The sale, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close on April 15, 2010. On this date, W The Court and W The Tuscany will no longer be affiliated with the W Hotels brand or Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The hotel’s new owner has advised that they will honor all local negotiated rates previously signed by W The Court and W The Tuscany. For further information on St. Giles Hotels, please call 1-888-406-8588 or visit www.StGilesNewYork.com.

W Hotels currently has four hotel properties in the New York metro area and will expand its footprint this summer with the opening of W New York – Downtown. New York City, the birthplace of the W brand more than 10 years ago, continues to be a priority market for the Company.