4 W Hotel Seoul, Korea.

This article looks at the design of the W Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. The 14-story hotel contains some predictable functions--253 guest rooms; two restaurants; a gym; a 50,000-square-foot spa with a café; and a business center--and less standard fare. Besides the requisite reception desk and concierge station, the 5,000-square-foot, wireless Internet-ready lobby includes a 10,000-square-foot bar, a DJ booth, and loungy seating areas. Ilan Waisbrod designed the experience of walking into one of the standard rooms to be like unwrapping a gift: white curtains flanking the entry conceal everything except a sculptural chair at the end of the room.