W Hotel Site Visit

Here are some notes and images that I learned from my site visit to the W Hotel on Poydras Street and the W Hotel French Quarter in New Orleans.

The ligthing in the hallways are wall sconces (one) by each guest room. If there is any other lighting in the hallway, it is centered in the hallway, and it alternates between recessed downlight and small spotlights.

Locally, the hotels both have a lot of mirrors. There is a ledge mounted above the desk with 2 black and white photographs resting on the ledge. Sequences of mirrors are placed evenly as you travel down the hallway. There are also mirrors on each floor in the elevator lobby. The elevator lobby includes a small side table with some vases for decorative appeal. Another crucial factor was the doors enclosing the elevators to reduce the noise, since this is the most common concern of guests.

Lighting for the elevator and the elevator lobby on the first floor takes a more decorative approach. There are pendants centered in the lobby with 4 smaller pendants that give an ambient source of light and create mood within the space. There is also a decorative partition that states the different floors and areas within the hotel. On the other floors, the lighting may simply include a surface mounted pendant or other decorative lighting solution that matches the wall sconces near the guest rooms.

The service areas for the guests, such as ice machines are like a recessed nook. On the main floor, this included an ATM or computer stations to quickly check your email on the way out. The lighting within the elevator consists of a cove with fluorescent or LEDs above that wash over the cove into the elevator. This lighting effect creates a darker more intimate setting for the guests.

In terms of ligthing within the rooms. They are mostly lit by natural lighting from windows. In teh typical guest room, with a king or two double beds, there are two lamps on each night stand. There also is a lamp on the desk for task lighting.

The bathrooms ar the W Hotel on Poydras are considerably smaller than those at the W Hotel French Quarter. The lighting in the bathrooms are mainly over the vanity and for general use ligthing. It was also explaained to me by the staff that there are some ADA Accessible rooms that provide theh necessary functions for these individuals.

Color schemes vary from hotel to hotel. According to thhe hotel clerk at the W Hotel French Quarter, there are standards that the hotel sets forward, but the general manager is able to assert his or her ideas into the concept. A great example of the requirements are the items that are necessary to qualify ass a living room are a small wet bar, television, seating, etc.

Some underlying design concepts for the W Hotel Designs are a minimalist approach balancing style, comfort, and harmony. The hotel clerk also mentioned that each hotel has a regional flare, and this determines the color scheme for the entire hotel.

This image is of the W Hotel on Poydras. The lobby color scheme is composed of dark walnut with a subtle blend of warm tones, such as red and yellow. However, the rooms differ slightly in that the linens are a golden color with a purple comforter. As you can see, the back wall is used as an accent and painted dark to contrast with the white walls and natural lighting.

This image is of the task lighting that is used on the desk as well as the two framed works of photography placed on a ledge. The televsion is next to the desk, and it actually sits on the edge of the desk if I remember correctly.

The image to the left is the king size bed in the typical guest room setup, such as the Wonderful or Spectacular Rooms discussed in my capstone research. Again, there is the dark accent wall. The main difference between the room with the two doubles is that there is a chaise lounge by the windows, and there is an additional floor lamp there to serve reading purposes.

This image is within the same room, but it gives a better idea of how the television is set up on the edge of the desk. It also shows the small area in the corner that looks to have some glasses for drinks and shelving.

This image is of a wall sconce that is used in the hallway, and there is a pendant at a larger scale in the lobby. It is a clear glass box open at the bottom end with chandelier glass elements that are lit from within. This was the pendant used at the W Hotel on Poydras. At the W Hotel French Quarter, they actually used chandeliers.

This is the chandelier version of the sconce referenced above. In this image, you can also see thhe mirro and side table with vases that I mentioned in my earlier description of the elevator and lobby lighting and furnishings.

This image shows the unique ligthing that is used to set the mood to the entire hotel. Theh light in the center is the Louis Poulsen Artichoke Light, which I thought was neat to see up close and personal. They use the red wall in the back to accent the panels and lighting behind the partitions.

The bar area is separated from the lobby with a partition and the reception counter for check-in and check-out procedures. According to the doorman or greeter for the hotel, the bar comes to life at night and what seems quiet during the day comes to life at night.

This photograph shows a library area beyond the bar that offers the guests. The shelves contain magazines and books. There is also a stairwell masked in this area.

This is another example of the mirrors used throughout the space. I find that the mirrors offer interesting views into the space. This is directly next to the reception counter as you approach the elevator lobby.

This is a view looking our of the front entrance. There is a small outdoor seating area secluded into a small landscaped area.

This is an example of the bedroom in the WOW Suite. The desk area is separated from the living area, and it has a computer, printer, and fax machine. This room offers a large panoramic view of the river and the city.

The WOW Suite has a sofa and as is pictured in the next image of the dining table for four.

This is an example of the decor that is used in the rooms. This particular table and vases are in teh WOW Suite. This is part of the small foyer and hallway that leads to the living area.

This is the exterior view of the W Hotel on Poydras Street. The main characteristic of the exterior is the large W. The hotel's exterior palette reflects the interior paletter of red and white.

This room is in the reception area at the W Hotel French Quarter. This hotel has the large mirrors as well as can be seen in the image with the benches.

This is the king size bed guest room offered at the W Hotel French Quarter. The color scheme is more natural within the rooms. There is an accent wall with a textured wall paper that matches the linens. Where the W Hotel Poydras had a accent wall, the rooms at the W Hotel French Quarter have solid wooden headboards.

The regular rooms have smaller televisions. The rooms here are less contemporary so there is an actual entertainment unit.

This is a view of the desk area in the room.

There is a small area for seaeting with a table and lamp.