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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT WITH T+L SOUTHEAST ASIA SEPTEMBER ISSUE

I N S I D E R W’S TRENDSETTING TRAIL BLAZE ACROSS ASIA CONTINUES WITH THE ARRIVAL OF TWO NEW HAPPENING HOTELS: W SINGAPORE-SENTOSA COVE AND W BANGKOK, WHICH DELIVER A STYLISH SPIN ON TWO ICONIC CITIES. W SINGAPORESENTOSA COVE CELEBRATED WITH A CHIC PRE-OPENING PARTY IN AUGUST WHILE W BANGKOK HELD A COOL CASTINGS NIGHT THIS JULY TO RECRUIT BANGKOK’S BEST TALENT AHEAD OF ITS DECEMBER OPENING. ASPIRING TURNTABLISTS HIT THE DECKS AND GOT UP TO SPEED WITH IN-THE-KNOW W MENTORS AT THE W HOTELS WORLDWIDE & BURN STUDIOS PRESENT DJ LAB 2012 AT W RETREAT BALI-SEMINYAK IN PREPARATION FOR A W WORLDWIDE TOUR. WHILE W BALI JUMPED TO THE BEAT OF THE WORLD’S MOST PROMISING DJS, W RETREAT & SPA MALDIVES GROOVED TO LONDON BEATS, A DJ/PERCUSSION DUO THAT ELECTRIFIED FESDU ISLAND WITH A SLICK DJ MIX COOLLY COMBINED WITH RAW PERCUSSIVE SOUNDS. OVER AT W HONG KONG, THE OPENING OF THE CITY’S LATEST HAPPENING HOTSPOT, WOOBAR, WAS CELEBRATED WITH AN EXHIBITION, ‘ROCKED’ FROM LEGENDARY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHOTOGRAPHER MICK ROCK. THE SEXY SELECTION OF PORTRAITS ON SHOW INCLUDES EVERYONE FROM BLONDIE AND BOWIE TO GAGA AND KATE MOSS, BOTH BIG FANS OF W HOTELS. NEXT UP: W SINGAPORESENTOSA COVE’S GRAND OPENING THIS OCTOBER WILL PUT THE CITY STATE ON THE COOL MAP, WITH CUTTING-EDGE EVENTS DEDICATED TO WHAT’S NEW/NEXT.

SIN GA PORE

SINGAPORE GETS READY FOR W WITH THE OPENING OF W SINGAPORE-SENTOSA COVE THIS SEPTEMBER ON THE CITY’S MOST EXCLUSIVE ISLAND – THE PALM-FRINGED PLAYGROUND OF HIP RESIDENTS AND GLOBAL JETSETTERS – SINGAPORE HAS NEVER LOOKED SO STYLISH OR FELT MORE CUTTING-EDGE. From its glittering location surrounded by sultry sea and marina vistas, the hotel’s distinctive creative concept by Rockwell group is enchantingly eclectic, reflecting both Sentosa’s vibrant natural surroundings and Singapore’s cosmopolitan energy. The journey begins with a tropical turn, as guests receive a grand aquatic greeting from a waterfall that shimmers with colorful graphic patterns at the hotel entrance.

Elsewhere, felt sculptural murals line the corridors and glittering chandeliers are

placed in coves along the pathway towards the sanctuary of the guest room.

Boasting 240 sea and marina-facing guestrooms including four WOW suites and the iconic Extreme WOW Suite, all rooms and suites feature custom-made furnishings and stylish accents unique to Singapore. The motif of Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquium Orchid, is elegantly represented on headboards and bedside tables, while the glowing bathtub adds a playful element.

Guests checking into one of the six spa rooms or three spa suites are greeted by rainforest-

inspired decor and sculptural pieces that echo the exotic gardens of Singapore through textures, colors and natural materials: even the munchie box is enveloped in rattan.

Setting the trend of what’s new and next in Singapore’s gourmet scene is SKIRT, the hotel’s signature grill restaurant that cooks up a storm using the ‘Parilla’ (roasted) and ‘Asador’ (barbecue) method for prime cuts of meat, fresh fish and sumptuous seafood.

Alternatively guests can eat at W’s renowned eatery, The Kitchen Table – where live stations include everything from sushi and dim sum to tandoori and wood-fired pizza – then kick back at W Lounge, a stylish social space to mix and mingle.

W Singapore-Sentosa Cove is also injecting excitement into Singapore’s party scene with WOOBAR, a trend-setter’s nirvana that hosts exclusive music, fashion and design events.

Here, guests can sip bespoke cocktails as a W resident DJ mixes up a seamless Singapore soundtrack. Hipsters can also take in the expansive ocean vistas at WET, a poolside bar where creative cocktails and naughty nibbles await.

To ensure all guests experience a trailblazing Singapore stay, W Singapore-Sentosa Cove has asked four go-to trendsetters from the worlds of fashion, design and music (see left) for hip insider recommendations. Sharing their favorite Singapore experiences and hidden hotspots are Adrian Wee, resident DJ at Zouk Singapore, Tracy Phillips, Project Director of fashion trade show Blueprint, fashion designer Mae Pang and Colin Seah, Director of design firm Ministry of Design. W Singapore will also

Enjoy the Island Glamour Welcome Room Rate from $388 and the Marvelous Welcome Package from $796 from 16 September-30 December. Find out more

opEning 16 sEptEmbEr 2012!

island ExplorE glamour whotEls.com/singaporE facEbook.com/wsingaporEsEntosacovE unlEashEd W Singapore banner SEPT 2012.indd 1

03/08/2012 11:00

AUDI FASHION FESTIVAL IN SINGAPORE

CHILLING WITH MR. HAS The Artistic Director of the soon-to-be opened W Singapore-Sentosa Cove reveals big changes are afoot for Singapore’s music scene with the arrival of the W Hotel How would you describe the Singapore music scene at the moment?

Thriving – we have plenty of acts coming through and people are more receptive to new music than before.

START UP THE PARTY: REVELERS AT THE AUDI FASHION FEST HIT THE DANCEFLOOR TO W GLOBAL MUSIC DIRECTOR MICHAELANGELO D’ACQUA’S MASTERFUL MIXES

What is your musical style and who are your influences?

My style has always been eclectic: I like people like [Afrobeat instrumentalist] Fela Kuti, [Ethiopian jazzer] Mulatu Astatke, [hip hop producer] James Yancey and [retro soulster] Mayer Hawthorne.

What kind of DJ are you – how would you describe your approach?

Very relaxed, selective and definitely unpredictable.

How do you think Singapore has influenced you as a DJ? Being in a competitive environment like this city has pushed me to be different and stay on top of my game.

As for venues, [Singapore superclub] Zouk has definitely inspired me.

Tell us about your role as Artistic Director at W Singapore-Sentosa Cove It’s all about ensuring the entertainment programming is on trend and reflects what’s new/next in terms of music. We’ll be bringing in exciting new acts onto the island that are in tune with the W brand and redefining the hotel/bar culture in Singapore.

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW/NEXT AT VIMEO.COM/WSINGAPORESENTOSACOVE

MUSIC: ADRIAN WEE IS RESIDENT DJ AT SINGAPORE SUPERCLUB ZOUK. ADRIAN IS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED SPINNERS ON THE SINGAPORE CIRCUIT

FASHION: TRACY PHILLIPS RUNS CREATIVE CONSULTANCY PRESENT PURPOSE AND IS PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR FASHION TRADE SHOW BLUEPRINT

DESIGN: COLIN SEAH WAS RECENTLY INVITED BY THE SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD TO REDEFINE THE CITY STATE AS A DESTINATION FOR 2020

Are there any details you can share of upcoming events?

After our pre-opening party in August, we’ll have the premiere of W Singapore-Sentosa Cove in October. Get ready for change.

MR HAS: TAKING SINGAPORE TO NEW MUSICAL HEIGHTS

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WHAT’S NEW NEXT

ROCKIN’ RETREATS

W TAIPEI MIXOLOGIST JEFFERY LEE

THERE’S MORE TO W RETREATS THAN LOUNGING ON THE BEACH OR HANGING BY THE POOL. THESE HEAVENLY HAVENS ALSO SHOWCASE WHAT’S NEW/NEXT IN MUSIC, DESIGN AND FASHION. W Retreat & Spa Maldives – which currently leads the Starwood Preferred Guest Members Favorite list – turned up the heat this May with an unforgettable show from London Beats, a DJ/percussion duo who rocked Fesdu Island with a typically theatrical, high-octane set combining a traditional club DJ mix with funky live sounds.

Residents at London’s Eclipse and Boujis nightclubs, DJ Klaus and percussionist Ameet have previously wowed audiences with their eclectic approach at W Taipei and W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak, and the talented two also play regular monthly sets at W Barcelona and W Doha.

W Retreat & Spa-Maldives also shook things up on the cocktail front this May with a bartender exchange, ‘Mix/ Mingle’ with W Taipei. Resident mixologist at W Taipei Jeffery Lee swapped the bright lights of the Taiwanese capital for a chilled week-long residency in the North Ari Atoll. He mixed his signature cocktails at WET, SIP and 15 BELOW – the only underground nightclub in the Maldives – especially for the retreat, including the signature sip at W Taipei’s Yen bar, a vodka, grenadine and champagnetopped tipple which he re-named the 15 Below Cobbler.

Lee also introduced other Sino-inspired concoctions to the retreat’s guests, including the gin-based Oolong Fizz and rum-tinged Wai Tai. Over at W Retreat Koh Samui, the gCircuit After Party Escape proved a hit for attendees of Bangkok’s gCircuit Songkran 6. The party continued for two more nights with chilled-out tunes spun by DJ Angus Wong as part of the DJ Lab Tour Happenings. Guests partied at SIP, the retreat’s beach front bar, on the the first night of the Escape, while on the second night revelers headed to the Extreme WOW Ocean Haven, where fireworks delivered a fitting finale.

RETREATS WITH A DIFFERENCE: W SAMUI AND W MALDIVES BRING BEATS TO THE BEACH

DJS WOW W TAIPEI W TAIPEI HOSTED THE OFFICIAL SHOWOFF PARTY FOR THE FINAL DJ SEARCH FOR DJ 2012 PROGRAM THIS MAY. THE SOIREE AT WOOBAR SAW FIVE PRO DJS STORM THE DECKS INCLUDING W GLOBAL MUSIC DIRECTOR MICHAELANGELO D’ACQUA 01

WOOBAR AT W TAIPEI

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01 DJ GIO 02 DJ MISS YELLOW 03 MICHAELANGELO L’ACQUA 04 DJ MR. HAS 05 DJ ANGUS

L’Acqua was in Taipei to check out the DJs who had submitted mixes for consideration for a place at DJ Lab 2012. The spinners included DJ Mr. Has from Singapore, DJ Angus and DJ Miss Yellow from Hong Kong, and W Seoul-Walkerhill’s DJ Gio. Over 300 guests grooved to the sets between sips of Wonderful Cosmopolitans and flutes of Pol Roger amid the sexy red surrounds of WOOBAR as W Taipei talents mingled with the city’s hip crowd and encouraged them to vote for their favorite turntablist.

W Hong Kong gave the ambitious spinners an additional platform at its first Summer Series Pool Party of the season, then W Seoul wrapped things up with a W Happening featuring select DJs from the online search, industry tastemakers and VIPs on 1 June.

W Seoul’s DJ Gio was announced as the eighth turntablist – and only Asian representative at the DJ Lab – just before the week-long Master Class Program spun out in July at W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak, where mentors Rob Garza |(Thievery Corporation), Paul Nolan (SAE), Jason Bentley (Music Director, KCRW) and L’Acqua were on hand to help the DJs hone their craft.

So what gave DJ Gio the edge over other participants? “I think the mix set I submitted for the competition, ‘W Sunset,’ matches with W’s vibe and atmosphere. When I produced this mix, I pictured a bar on the beach at one of the W Hotels with people drinking cocktails, watching the sunset. W Seoul also has a great sunset view from WOOBAR, which inspired me to get the mood and mix the music right. You get the best sunset view from WOOBAR – and it’s even better soundtracked with my ‘W Sunset’ mix!”

Growing up in Belgium and Korea, DJ Gio’s music has both Asian and European sentiments, and he mixes up progressive and electro styles for Asian audiences. While this talented spinner admits he’s feeling the pressure of being crowned ‘Asia Pacific DJ’ by W, he loved mixing and mingling with other DJs at the Lab and picking up turntabling tips and tricks from the mentors ahead of the DJ Lab global tour.

DJ Gio will be joined at W-Seoul Walkerhill

by DJ Sawa from Les Trashchik in September, while DJ Blatta & Inesha will hot things up in the Korean capital this Hallowe’en as part of W Global Beats 2012.

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BALI

SIP. PLAY. FLIRT. IN BALI

W RETREAT & SPA BALI-SEMINYAK SHOWCASED WHAT’S NEW/NEXT IN MUSIC AT SPF 2012 (SIP. PLAY. FLIRT.).

THE EVENT WAS SOUNDTRACKED BY THE PRODIGIOUS TURNTABLING TALENTS OF 12 DIFFERENT DJS WHO ATTENDED W HOTELS WORLDWIDE DJ LAB PROGRAM During this intensive program – an annual occurence that illustrates W’s commitment to music as one of its three main passion points – the 12 DJs were put through their paces at a DJ ‘boot camp’ in preparation for S.P.F. 2012.

The sexy retreat jumped to the electrified beat of red-hot mixes against a sunset background at WOOBAR as guests got their groove on to headline acts Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation and Jason Bentley, Music Director of KCRW Radio in Los Angeles, plus 10 other talented acts. The festival came to a showstopping end in true W style with a Wet Deck pool party, where the 12 DJs from the program took to the decks in the space of 12 hours. A fantastic firework display and light show added a further explosive element, while Sao Paulo’s Vitor Kurc provided the final harmonious flourish with the last set of the night at WOOBAR. Michaelangelo L’Acqua, Global Brand Music Director for W Hotels Worldwide, handpicked the up and coming talent for DJ Lab 2012 generation. The same DJs will turn up the heat on the W Hotels & burn Studios Global Tour, which will make its blistering debut later this year.

SULTRY SURROUNDS: AWARD-WINNING DESIGN REFLECTS THE BEACHFRONT SETTING

DJ LAB 2012

THE DJ DUET POSSO, FROM LOS ANGELES, HEATING THINGS UP AT SUNSET AT WOOBAR.

BALI

THE UP-AND-COMING DJS TAKING A BREAK IN THE 3BR VILLA, THE LOCATION FOR DJ LAB 2012.

W HOTELS’ GLOBAL MUSIC DIRECTOR, L’ACQUA, SPINNING AT SPF 2012.

W RETREAT & SPA BALI-SEMINYAK JUMPED TO THE MASTERFUL MIXES OF THE WORLD’S HOTTEST NEW TURNTABLING TALENT THIS JULY AT DJ LAB 2012, A GLOBAL EVENT THAT WAS HELD IN IBIZA LAST YEAR. The week-long DJ ‘boot camp’ united the best up-and-coming DJs from around the globe and provided them with mentorship and valuable tools in preparation for a global tour to select W Hotels.

“Now in its second year, we are proud to bring this year’s W Hotels & burn studios DJ Lab to W Bali, one of the world’s leading electronic music destinations,” says Vincent Gillet, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “Music is intrinsic to the W brand, and together with our partner burn studios, we can provide emerging talent with a platform for global exposure while showcasing what’s new and next in music to our guests.”

“Through our burn studios partnership with W Hotels, we’re continuing to develop exciting programming that connects up and coming artists with some of the industry’s leading voices,” says Prinz Pinakatt, Global Director, burn, The Coca-Cola Company. “With this year’s DJ Lab heading to Bali, we’re nurturing and supporting aspiring DJs looking to break onto an international stage.”

The programme for DJ Lab 2012 was exclusively designed by this year’s mentors and zoomed in on everything from Sonic Identity Brand Building and Expanding Industry Relationships with W Global Music Director Michaelangelo D’Acqua to Essential Audio Theory for Musical Production and Mixing and Mastering taught by composer/ producer Paul Nolan. DJ Lab 2012 also delivered skill-building master classes that provided the turntablists with the tools to take their acts on the road and spin at W Happenings and other W Hotel events.

Armed with new skills, the DJs jetted off to perform alongside established spinners at select W destinations worldwide, including Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and Koh Samui in Asia and Istanbul, Barcelona, London, St Petersburg and Paris in Europe.

The tour will also stop off at Mexico City, Santiago, New York and South Beach in the Americas and Doha in the Middle East. For every performance, the DJs will create exclusive mixes available only on the W Hotels iPhone application and also chronicle their world travels via @WHotels on Twitter and www.facebook.com/whotels.

1ST ROW: VANESSA GIOVACCHINI (POSSO), MARY LOUISE PELS (POSSO), GIO VANHOUTTE, AMEET JUGNAUTH, KLAUS DE MACEDO, ALINE MAGNIER 2ND ROW: PAUL NOLAN, ROB GARZA, DOGUS CABAKCOR, MICHAELANGELO L’ACQUA, JASON BENTLEY, VITOR KURC

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HONG KONG

WOOBAR ROCKS W HONG KONG

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK: BEIJING FOUR-PIECE QUEEN SEA BIG SHARK FIRED UP W HONG KONG’S WOOBAR BEFORE DJ BOUJI ENTICED HONG KONG’S MOVERS AND SHAKERS ONTO THE DANCEFLOOR. MICK ROCK’S ICONIC ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHOTOS PROVIDED THE PERFECT BACKDROP TO AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT

To celebrate the launch of WOOBAR at W Hong Kong, the city’s new epicenter of style, W Hotels unveiled a very special show, ROCKED, an exclusive traveling exhibit curated by legendary rock ‘n’ roll photographer Mick Rock.

Featuring intimate portraits of rock and pop icons from David Bowie to Gaga, the opening was soundtracked by Beijingbased rock band Queen Sea Big Shark and an electrifying set from superstar New York spinner DJ Bouji.

Redefining the city’s nightlife scene as only W knows how, WOOBAR is a place for movers and shakers to see, be seen and express themselves according to Peter Hildebrand, General Manager of W Hong Kong. The GM says that launching the bar in association with Mick Rock is highly appropriate given that WOOBAR – like the original rock ‘n’ rollers – offers something different from the norm, with inventive cocktails and cutting-edge design at the forefront.

“The Rocked exhibition recently made its debut at W New York, so it seemed like an obvious step to get Mick on board for the opening of W Hong Kong’s WOOBAR. W is always looking for what’s new/next and a sense of individualism and that’s what rock ‘n’ roll is all about,” he says.

The Rocked exhibition runs until the end of September at W Hong Kong and will then travel to W Hotels across Asia.

For more info, check out www.woobarhongkong.com

THROUGH THE LENS WITH… MICK ROCK After taking pictures of rock ‘n’ rollers for over 40 years, you are still very passionate about music.

How come?

“I love some of the new bands around – [W Live Symmetry Act] Queen Sea Big Shark remind me of a young Blondie, and I also like [Hong Kong rockers] Mr. and [Taiwanese band] My Skin Against Your Skin. But my 22-year old daughter, who’s into dance music, tells me that DJs are the new rock stars.

ROCKIN’ AND ROLLIN’ THROUGH THE AGES: LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHER MICK ROCK HAS SHOT GROUND-BREAKING ACTS SUCH AS THE SEX PISTOLS, BLONDIE AND IGGY POP, WHILE RECENT SUBJECTS INCLUDE KATE MOSS, GAGA AND MARK RONSON

One of the stand-out pics at Rocked is a shot of Gaga, Bono and a couple of forks… how did that shot come about?

I clocked them together at a New York charity event and immediately saw the humor in the pic: by placing two forks on Gaga’s face, it looked like Bono was sizing her up for Sunday lunch.

One of the earliest images at Rocked is of [Pink Floyd founder] Syd Barrett tuning his guitar in 1969.

Tell us about your relationship with him It all started with Syd Barrett for me – he was a pal of mine, and the first person I ever really profiled… he provided me with that initial charge. Prior to that, I’d picked up a friend’s camera when I was studying at Cambridge and it intrigued me. Somehow, I had this innate eyeball without even studying photography. It was all about not having to get a real job – I didn’t really know what I wanted to do at that time. Besides photography, I always liked the idea of being a lyricist but clearly photography was what I was meant to be doing. It took over my life.

The Rocked exhibition also features several Bowie shots – what do you remember about that time?

I first met David back in ’72 and he wasn’t that famous then – he had a small cult following. But I saw the rise of Ziggy Stardust, I was right in the thick of it. It was an exciting time to be involved in rock ‘n’ roll, as Iggy Pop, Queen and [Brit rock acts] like Mott the Hoople and Cockney Rebel were also on the rise. But I didn’t just shoot rockers – I also photographed people like [dancer/actor] Lindsay Kemp, who was a big influence on Bowie. In the glam days, it was all about looking fabulous.

Is your schedule still as crammed now as it was in the ‘70s when you were touring with acts like Bowie?

I don’t shoot every day like I did back then, but I still shoot regularly. It’s therapeutic – I need to take pictures. It’s like a drug. I don’t like to sit still.

How do you account for your success as a photographer?

I think bands picked up on my enthusiasm both for rock ‘n’ roll and photography and perhaps appreciated the fact I was never owned by a record label or magazine so my loyalty was always to the acts.

With a few exceptions, I’ve always art directed my own shoots, too.

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BANGKOK

INSIDER ACCESS FROM ITS ANIMATED LOCATION ON BUZZING NORTH SATHORN ROAD, W BANGKOK IS POISED TO TRANSPORT THE THAI CAPITAL TO HIP NEW HEIGHTS WHEN IT OPENS THIS DECEMBER. BEYOND THE USUAL SIGHTS, THERE’S AN ABUNDANCE OF HIDDEN GEMS WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED, FROM CHIC VINTAGE STORES TO CUTTING-EDGE BARS.

TEMPLE OF COOL: THE SLEEK SURROUNDS OF W BANGKOK WILL BECOME A HIPSTER HAVEN

Can’t decide whether to shop or order a round of shots? Then swing by Shades of Retro, a boutique/bar where everything on display – from vintage posters to retro lamps – is for sale. Equally eclectic, and also located in trendy Thonglor, is Tuba, a furniture and antiques showroom by day and Thai/Italian eatery by night, where the signature mojitos are flamboyantly proffered to Bangkok’s hip crowd in super-sized goblets and margarita glasses. There are several other places to get your hands on vintage and retro-styled items, including Again and Again and Onion: the former stocks sexy sleeveless dresses and statement retro jewelry while the latter is the place for traffic-stopping shades. For bang up to date pieces, check out home-grown fashion label Cocue Basics or marvel at the effortlessly contemporary, ethnically-inspired jewelry at Ek Thongprasert, who was the first Thai designer to be part of W Hotel’s Global Fashion Next initiative. Next, flip through the vinyl – there’s everything from ‘60s Thai pop to hip hop – at Zud Rang Ma and don’t forget a trip to Chatuchak, Bangkok’s largest and best-stocked market, where edgy streetwear brands line up against indigenous hill tribe crafts. Another market must is Wang Lang: dig out antique designer gems then tease your taste buds on fiery southern-style curries.

Still hungry? Pull up a chair at Mellow for beautifully executed western fare – think seafood linguine and rocket salad with Italian sausage – in an easy-going environment that lives up to its name. Similarly chic and chilled is Kuppa Sukhumvit 16, where the pizzas pack an authentic punch. Alternatively, bask in the Chao Phraya’s undisputed ambience at Viva & Aviv The River, where the designer furniture is just as cool as the cocktail menu.

Rev up your Bangkok night by tuning into local and international indie acts at Cosmic Café and Sonic, then keep it rockin’ with drinks at Happy Monday, where the DJs spin high-

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CASTING NIGHTS

02 01 NICK HEATH, GENERAL MANAGER, W BANGKOK

BANGKOK’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST ROCKED UP AT THE CASTING CALL FOR THE NEW W HOTEL THIS JULY, WHICH IS SET TO BRING A BUZZ LIKE THE CITY HAS NEVER SEEN WHEN IT OPENS THIS DECEMBER. DURING THE TALENT SEARCH, WHICH WAS HELD AT HIP LOUNGE BAR ENIGMA INSIDE THE SIAM PARAGON, CANDIDATES MINGLED WITH PEERS, INVITED GUESTS, AND RECRUITMENT STAFF, AND LATER SIPPED COCKTAILS AS DJ DRAGON MIXED THINGS UP BEHIND THE DECKS. THE CASTING CALL WAS OPEN TO THOSE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, REGARDLESS OF PRIOR HOTEL EXPERIENCE, TRAINING OR EDUCATION. NICK HEATH, GENERAL MANAGER OF W BANGKOK BELIEVES THIS APPROACH IS A CORNERSTONE OF THE BRAND’S SUCCESS. “FOR W BANGKOK, WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH OUTGOING PERSONALITIES, GREAT ATTITUDES AND OPEN MINDS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY MUST BE READY FOR A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT AWAIT THEM.”

02 ZERO DEGREE MOJITO, W COCKTAIL CULTURE 03 CELEBRITY DJ DRAGON 04 DIRECTOR – ROOMS INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES 05 BREAKING THE ICE 06 ENIGMA LOUNGE BAR

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