[4] The concept included dark, muted colors, brushed metal, hotel staff in black T-shirts, photographs, and a bar.

[3] Replacing the lobby with the "living room" concept, where guests could gather at the bar, differed from the traditional hotel.

[4] Although W Hotels receives credit for the idea, the underlying concept was once common.

[3] In 2001, Starwood added W New York - Times Square, a design model for the rapid expansion of properties in the United States over the next decade.

[11] In September 2016, Marriott incorporated the W chain into its own portfolio as part of its acquisition of Starwood.