I have stayed in 8 of the 20 JW properties, all in the Americas. IMHO they are more upscale than a typical Marriott or REN, but not the same as most Ritz which I usually find a bit stuffy. Typically the rates are higher than the same area's competing Marriott properties, but in some cases well worth it (eg Cancun, Orlando, Santa Monica come to mind). Others such as Atlanta and Houston, not sure what the big deal is beside location...