Elevated brand value prioritizing culture-led experiences that spark social connectivity and lively community engagement
HONG KONG, 21 JANUARY, 2025 – W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 brands, hosted the “Shed Your Skin" Appreciation Party last Friday, 17 January, in the VIP Lounge at AIA Carnival. With Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and Victoria Harbor as the backdrop, guests reveled in a night of spectacular performances and exclusive cocktails, kicking off the celebrations for the New Year.
As the much-anticipated new year unfolds with pulsating energy and the promise of renewal, W Hotels invites guests to capture this spirit by embracing confidence and self-expression. Shedding the ordinary becomes an opportunity to unveil a bolder, brighter self, mirroring the synergy of the W Brand and the Snake.
Building on the social energy of New York City and W Brand’s rich music identity, the party kicked off with a mesmerizing set by DJ Murphy Kin, a Taiwanese DJ who has extensively toured across Asia and most celebrated for his spontaneous and cinematic music sets. A sonic explorer with over 12 years of experience, Murphy ignited the evening with an energetic rhythm, seamlessly weaving romantic rock anthems, old-school grooves, smooth R&B rhythms, pulsating disco beats, indie undertones, and raw rock energy into an electrifying set.
Beyond the live music, guests indulged in a taste of W Hotels’ transformation, savoring bespoke cocktails crafted by two celebrated mixologists: Purna Gurung, Assistant Manager at WOOBAR in W Hong Kong, and Victor Pun, Senior Mixologist at W Macau – Studio City. With over a decade of experience shaping Asia’s cocktail landscape and a notable stint at one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Purna brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative spirit to his craft. Victor, a rising star who joined the opening team of W Macau – Studio City in 2023, has quickly gained recognition for his skillful blending of traditional Asian ingredients into his cocktails, capturing the “East-meets-West" essence of Macau. Together, these two mixologists delivered a memorable and exciting cocktail experience as a finishing touch to the party.
“An icon of the industry, W Hotels stays true to its core brand values while injecting fresh perspectives into its cultural programming through detail-driven design and elevated service culture," said Bart Buiring, Managing Director, Luxury, Greater China, Marriott International. “The 2025 Year of the Snake embodies boundless energy and potential. Through this appreciation party, we celebrated past triumphs and aimed to inspire our guests to embrace the future, stay expressive, and create brilliance. W Hotels will continue fostering dynamic community engagement and cultural experiences through music, art, and fashion, empowering Connectors to embrace the new year with confident self-expression."
W Hotels, with 70 destinations around the world and 10 properties in Greater China, continues its multi-year evolution in lifestyle hospitality, elevating its service, products, and programming to become a true catalyst of culture through a bolder lens. The brand emphasizes a strong design foundation with luxurious and natural elements, creating lively visuals, layered textures, and unique sensory experiences while reinforcing greater brand consistency and maintaining local relevance. W Hotels is also remastering the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever™ service philosophy with the role of the W Insider, its signature concierge service, and continues to pursue collaborations across the brand passions of STANCE, SOUND, SCENE, TASTE, and BODY.
Music is in the DNA of W Hotels, which boasts a decades-long legacy of supporting musical innovation through live performance series, its own record label, professional in-hotel recording studios and a global music festival series. W PRESENTS, launched in 2023 across North America and Asia-Pacific, further cements the brand’s commitment to inclusivity and support of musical talent. As a prime example, W Shanghai – The Bund hosted an innovative live electronic concert that same year as part of W PRESENTS. W Hotels plans to expand W PRESENTS in 2025, further solidifying its position within lifestyle, hospitality, and the cultural landscape.
