The Iconic W Hollywood & Tempo are Composing a Musical Revolution for the Hotel Industry

W Hollywood, W Hotel’s West Coast flagship property has launched a chart-topping musical partnership with New York–based startup Tempo AI, an immersive smart-tech music platform for hospitality and retail environments.  With the partnership, W Hollywood is combining innovative, cutting-edge technology with its extensive music programming to create a novel type of music experience for guests.  Tempo AI understands guests’ personal tastes, hotel spaces real-time energy, and the W Hotels brand identity to dynamically soundtrack hotel spaces and create personalized, interactive music experiences for guests.

This unique partnership which was activated in June has not only already allowed the hotel guests to influence the property’s music programming, but also presents major implications for the hospitality space—using smart music tech to foster deeper emotional connections, and sharpen brand image.  The integration of this technology underscores how operators are increasingly seeking unique ways to create immersive, personalized environments that drive loyalty and differentiate.  Equally important, Tempo’s utilization of AI as a tool to support music curators and DJs allows musicians to use Tempo as a collaborator that elevates their vision at scale, enabling them to do notably more across private spaces, public events or in hospitality environments.

“Music is truly at the core of W Hollywood. Led by our music curator Tay James, we have created multifaceted partnerships with companies such as Tempo AI, where, for example, our guests can experience customized Sound throughout their stay with us, and even keep our playlists in their music library after they return home… the ultimate memento of a great trip!” noted W Hollywood GM Nick Rimedio.

Transformed W Hollywood Pioneering Layers of Unique Musical Innovation

W Hollywood’s investment in Tempo’s technology follows the completion of an impressive multi-year $50 million hotel-wide transformation which included a complete reimagining of all rooms and facilities and a range of new offerings and amenities for guests such as its signature Living Room and Garden, the massive rooftop pool deck, a private gym for 1 on 1 fitness training, and multifunctional creative studio which can be used for video podcasts.  Its rooftop Loft event space boasts another collaboration with Tempo as it installed a novel fully spatial sound system called Tempo Immersive which can be used for major DJ performances, premier parties, and other private events. The reimagined hotel, located in Hollywood’s ‘Vinyl District’ (home to iconic recording studios such as Capitol Records, Sunset Sound and EastWest Studios) represents a sizable asset upgrade within the W portfolio since Marriott’s 2016 acquisition of Starwood.  This transformation offers a preview for the future vision of the W Hotels portfolio with a more elegant and refined design, smarter tech, and also a deeper integration of music.

But the hotel’s musical focus and investments go well beyond the sizable transformation and partnership with Tempo. It has added two more layers to build out its comprehensive musical footprint—bringing in notable talent and hosting coveted live acts and events.  Most notably, Tay James—a renowned DJ who toured globally with Justin Bieber—has become a core part of the team as W Hollywood’s Music Curator. Alongside Edwin Paredes of Beatport (one of the world’s leading electronic music platforms for DJs), they’ve forged partnerships with the iconic Insomniac Music Group and Beatport to host exclusive events featuring renowned artists such as Mau P, Emmitt Fenn, Matroda, and Walker & Royce with more to come including Jazz Night in spatial audio. Most recently, they teamed up with Andre Power, co-founder of Soulection, to bring his celebrated “Link Up” party to the hotel, and will feature Beatport Live on September 26 which is a one-day summit for emerging artists, record labels, and music industry professionals. W Hollywood’s vision is to thread an authentic LA sound into the hotel’s DNA while elevating it’s signature sonic vibe with bespoke programming and activations.

Music is Amplifying Better Revenues for Operators With Better Vibes for Guests

Tempo’s next gen smart music platform utilizes a range of AI tools and ensures the optimal song plays at the right moment.  The technology sits on top of an operator’s existing playlist and adapts to the mood and energy of each space within the hotel, factoring in hotel location and outlet, daypart, foot traffic/transactions, and also guest input.  On an ongoing basis, the tech wraps data around the music so with each passing day the soundtrack gets even more exacting and refined based on real time inputs while also generating both reporting and actionable metrics for operators.

“Hotels are vibrant, ever-changing environments—their soundtracks should be, too. We’re thrilled to be working with W Hollywood to transform hospitality music from set-it-and-forget-it playlists into a dynamic, interactive experience, creating deeper connections between guests and brands by making every moment matter,”noted Tempo Founder Reese Donohue.

But how does it work for guests? At check-in, guests use the Tempo app or website to register their musical preferences. These preferences automatically overlay within the hotel’s extensive music library to then actively shape the hotel’s ambiance, dynamically adjusting music in lobbies, cocktail bars, and the rooftop pool based on real-time conditions like individual tastes, room energy, and even weather. The desired result is an environment that feels more alive and personally attuned—turning social spaces into extensions of real-time guest engagement. In addition, guests can leave with personalized playlists, creating a lasting connection long after checkout. Beyond optimizing seamless soundscapes, Tempo’s platform empowers guests to actively shape their experience by influencing songs and playlists, creating a direct, interactive connection between music and moment at a brand, explains Tempo’s Donohue.

Building on the success of collaborations with some of the world’s most distinguished fashion houses and luxury brands across four continents, Tempo is building Hotel 2.0—a new generation of hospitality technology where sensory environments seamlessly adapt to guest preferences in real time.

W Hotels Continues to be the Leader in Hospitality’s Music Innovation

W Hotels, Marriott’s luxury ‘lifestyle’ brand, was originally launched by Starwood in 1998 and has grown to over 70 locations globally, usually positioned near major urban centers or in hip resort destinations.  Known for its provocative designs and high-energy social spaces, W Hotels has traditionally targeted affluent millennials and older Gen Z travelers by leaning more heavily into design and culturally immersive experiences.  So W Hotels leading with a focus and investment in music and Tempo fits nicely with the brand.

“Good music is good business and W Hotels’ investment in creating a high-quality sonic identity has had a dramatic impact on both the guest and ROI” noted Leah Chisholm, Global Director of Music of W Hotels. 

Chisholm, who goes by the artist name LP Giobbi, is a successful artist and DJ trained in jazz piano performance at Berkeley, joined the brand in 2016 as the resident DJ at W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills, which, with music at its core, successfully created a dynamic and vibey destination for travelers in Westwood—a quieter, more residential area of Los Angeles than the more buzzy neighborhoods of Hollywood or West Hollywood.  Chisholm became regional director of music for the brand several years later and the brand’s first Global Director of Music in 2019.  She also founded FEMME HOUSE, a non-profit focused on championing female artists and musicians.

As an artist, she credits W Hotels for not only recognizing the importance music has on operations but also in providing a space where artists like her can flourish.  Within the brand’s signature  Living Room & WET Deck spaces the creation of a DJ-centric sonic identity (which includes 45 different playlists and 9 different energy levels, 3 for each day-part) has been notably successful for the brand by creating a snowball effect of guests spending more time on property and also in drawing locals.  

Chisholm credits GM Nick Rimedio and his team with creating the ideal atmosphere to facilitate Tempo’s debut, thanks to W Hollywood’s strong brand, operational excellence, and legacy of high-quality music.

Rimedio has noted that with the hotel’s strong musical legacy as a foundation and the support of the W Hotels brand, Tempo will become a vital tool in helping not only execute and extend musical excellence but create new revenue centers and forge a stronger connection with guests.  Last month, Rolling Stone Travel Awards named Tempo “Best Hotel Music.”

“Music has the ability to transport people back to incredible memories, so with the capability of  Tempo AI to create customized playlists, our guests can keep all of those songs as unforgettable mementos to share with their friends long after they check out of the hotel,” explained Rimedio.

Music as the Great Connector, Mood Maker and ROI Driver

Decades of research reveal overwhelming evidence that music influences mood, behavior, and profits across retail, restaurant, and hospitality spaces.  Studies have shown that well‑curated music alone can drive 20% longer guest visits, >10% increase in sales, and a significantly higher likelihood of repeat customers.

This powerful connection between sound and consumer behavior underscores why brands like W Hotels are leaning into music as a strategic, high‑impact investment. Looking ahead, Chilsom expects Tempo will be rolled out to the brand’s North American base and notes the brand is already evaluating Tempo as a Brand Standard.  With the brands forward-thinking franchise base and music representing one of the lowest-cost, highest-return investments an operator can make, music will play a larger role in shaping how guests experience W Hotels in the years ahead.

For W Hollywood, music isn’t just background noise; it’s an essential part of the brand. By embedding Tempo’s smart music tech into every beat, the brand has turned sound into strategy and is shaping moments that stay with guests long after check-out.