W Paris unveils interior details ahead of February debut

Hotel chain Starwood has released new details of its soon-to-open luxury property in Paris. The W Paris, set to open on February 14, revealed December 14 that the structure has been conceptualized by the Rockwell Group, the designers behind the W New York and -- more recently -- the 81st and 82nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles.The hotel has been designed along the theme of light, playing on Paris's nickname, Rockwell said, combining 'unexpected materials' with high-tech touches.The centerpiece will be an oversized backlit 'digital wall' running through public and private spaces, which can show different patterns depending on season, event, time of day, and location within the hotel.The elevators and staircases of the 19th century Haussmann-era building will be cloaked in red, Rockwell said, although historic features such as ornamented columns, vaulted ceilings, marble staircases and fireplaces have been partially restored and will be protected.In guest rooms, which go from €340 ($474), visitors will find works of art commissioned from Paris-based artists, while a 'bridge' into guest rooms will be wrapped with white patterned lights. The W Paris is the latest move in W Hotels' expansion, following the debut of the W London Leicester Square earlier this year -- but Paris is rapidly becoming a more competitive market. Both Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La have opened Paris properties over the past 12 months -- Mandarin Oriental in June and Shangri-La in December, in a bid to woo increasing numbers of tourists, mainly from Asia.In late November, the Mandarin Oriental revealed 39 new suites for the first time, decorated by French interior designer Sybille de Margerie.