Article: Let's Get This Hotel Started

Is the recession over? No, but it sure felt that way Thursday night at the insanely lavish grand opening of the W Hotel. After a long dry season for D.C.'s party people, 500 guests went giddy over six hours of open bar, electric guitarists in Amadeus wigs, all the spareribs/halibut/cheesecake they could eat, all the luxury skin- care samples they could pocket.

Oh, and did we mention that John Legend performed? And an actual Hollywood starlet was there? No, wait, two! It was like 2007 -- or even 1999 -- all over again.

So, what'd that cost? The W broke down some stats: 3,600 strawberries, 3,700 pounds of ice, 48 bottles of Johnnie Walker, 40 cooks. A hospitality industry insider estimated ...

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