The W Fort Lauderdale hotel threw a grand-reveal party to show off its $55 million makeover on March 8.
The evening included a concert from breakout neo-soul singer Sabrina Claudio and a pop-up fashion display by nightlife event producer Susanne Bartsch.
The renovation, which started in the summer of 2016, includes all the hotel’s rooms and residential suites, as well as the pool area, meeting spaces and what the W calls the Living Room, its version of a hotel lobby/lounge.
Nightlife impresaria Susanne Bartsch presented a pop-up fashion display at the grand-reveal party for the renovation of the W Fort Lauderdale hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach. (Rod Stafford Hagwood / SouthFlorida.com)
Partygoers also got a sneak peek of El Vez, the oceanfront restaurant from James Beard Award winner Stephen Starr, which is set to debut soon. Starr already has a popular eatery on the property with Steak 954.
New also is Sushi Bar, with its menu designed by sushi chef Shuji Hiyakawa, a protégé of Masaharu Morimoto, the star of “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America.” Next up will be Mingle, a 4,000-square-foot ballroom.
On the WET Deck pool area of the W Fort Lauderdale hotel during the grand-reveal party for the renovation of the Fort Lauderdale beach resort property. (Rod Stafford Hagwood / SouthFlorida.com)
The oceanfront hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach also announced the launching of a weekly lineup of events, including:
Mondays: “Mondays Are a B@#&%!,” with hand and arm massages offered by Bliss Spa technicians and a bar for attendees to create their own organic body scrub.
Tuesdays: “Bollywood Night,” where the hotel will offer cocktails and complimentary henna designs.
Wednesdays: “The Studio,” which will feature live art demonstrations.
Thursdays: “Off the Wall,” which will allow guests to pick out their own songs for the DJ to play.
Fridays: “Heat Wave,” when visitors can start the weekend with Latin music, free cigars and specials on mojitos and rum.
Saturdays: “Neon Lounge,” which will have a retro ’80s vibe with a live DJ spinning.
Sundays: “Saxxxy Sundays,” featuring live jazz.
For more information, go to WFortLauderdaleHotel.com.