W Retreat & Spa Opens on Vieques Island

Vieques Island, Eight Miles off the Coast of Puerto Rico, W's First Retreat in the Caribbean

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. April 02, 2010

April 1, 2010 - W Hotels Worldwide has unveiled W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, the W brand's 37th hotel globally and its first retreat within North America. Owned by REIG CAPITAL, through its affiliate Vieques Hotel Partners, W Vieques is located only eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico and opens as the second W Retreat in the world, following the successful opening of W Retreat & Spa - Maldives in 2006. As W Hotels is on track to expand its portfolio to more than 50 hotels by the end of 2011, W is slated to open nine new hotels this year, including two retreat properties in Bali and Koh Samui, Thailand.

“We are excited to be opening W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, our first hotel venture outside of Spain and W Hotels first Retreat in North America”

Set on the undiscovered island of Vieques with 30-acres of beachfront property, W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island offers a unique travel experience and an entree into W's “new way to escape,” blending the brand's sophisticated signature style and programming with the stunning nature and wildlife of Vieques Island. Guests can escape to this beautiful island paradise and enjoy an abundance of amenities and activities designed for adventure seekers and leisurely travelers alike. Created by Spanish-born Patricia Urquiola of Milan-based Studio Urquiola, W Vieques boasts 157 stylish guestrooms and suites with private patios and balconies offering unparalleled views of soft sandy beaches and crystal clear waters; an exciting epicurean experience at miX on beach inspired by Alain Ducasse, featuring organic, local ingredients handpicked from the island's growers; W Cafe for the on-the-move traveler; Spa Chakra, a serene sanctuary offering seaside yoga and authentic holistic treatments inspired by the island; Paradise Edge, a lush garden sanctuary; Lawn, an intimate locale; Fire Pit, an outdoor space that merges nature with luxury; SWEAT®, 24-hour fitness center with top-of-the-line Technogym® machines and personal training; W beach's two secluded shorelines; WET splash pool, bar, and private cabanas overlooking the ocean; tennis courts; Wired, business center with all the necessary tools for those who need to stay connected while away; and W Hotels The Store, the W brand's stylish take on the traditional hotel gift shop.

“W Hotels is thrilled to set a new standard in modern travel with the opening of W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meridien. “Our newest Retreat is a unique blend of the sophisticated yet fun W lifestyle and the undiscovered beauty and tranquility of Vieques Island. In addition, W Vieques marks an important move in the global expansion of the W brand, enabling us to deliver a unique experience to the W loyalist while also introducing our lifestyle to a new part of the world.”

“We are excited to be opening W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, our first hotel venture outside of Spain and W Hotels first Retreat in North America,” said Maria Reig, President, REIG CAPITAL. “We are passionate about not only the property but the beautiful island of Vieques and feel confident that W Vieques will quickly become one of the most sought after destinations to visit in the world.”

A “W” Welcome

Immediately upon arrival to Vieques, Retreat guests will receive a warm welcome at the private W Welcome Lounge in Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport. A selection of cool refreshments and cocktails by Alain Ducasse are presented in true W style, offering the first sampling of W Vieques's exclusivity, escape and indulgence before being whisked away.

Contemporary Design on the Undiscovered Shores of Puerto Rico

Once guests arrive at W Retreat & Spa, they will immediately experience the rustic elegance created by lead designer Urquiola, who has skillfully woven together natural and local elements to create a stylish, modern island oasis. Renowned Madrid-based architecture and design firm Rockwell Group Europe collaborated with Urquiola on SWEAT® and W Hotels The Store as well as Spa Chakra and the outdoor public spaces, while Fort Lauderdale-based firm EDSA collaborated on the landscape. Sierra Cardona Ferrer of San Juan was the architect of record.

The design of W Vieques is as much inspired by the unique natural phenomena of the island as it is by the contemporary style of W Hotels. Throughout the property there was a meticulous attention to detail and craft, with a combination of locally recycled materials, organic forms, and Urquiola's renowned and modern Italian furnishings that were created exclusively for W Vieques by B&B Italia, all of which celebrate Vieques' wild and natural surroundings. The W Retreat & Spa's reception area is wrapped in reclaimed wood, serving as the portal to the W Living Room that features Tiger Eye area rugs, oversized brass-plated steel lamps with fabric shades, black leather chairs, plush Field sofas by Moroso with colorful and inviting oversized pillows providing a comfortable place to sit and relax, and an oversized map of Vieques Island by Urquiola placed at the entrance. Guests will also be drawn to the vistas of the ocean just outside, which they can soak in from the outdoor lounge area that boasts a dramatic Fire Pit and is the ideal location to enjoy the breathtaking view.

Rest and Relax in a Secluded Island Oasis

The very spacious guestrooms at W Vieques, ranging in size from 560 square-feet to 1,440 square-feet, are inspired by the W Retreat & Spa's tropical island setting. Shades of tan and beige accented with vibrant colors and prints are juxtaposed against the dark wood stone designed exclusively by Urquiola and shiny dark grey tiled cement floors in the open-concept bathroom. One of Urquiola's most unique pieces, showcasing the theme of rustic nature interwoven with contemporary design, is the oversized Vieques bathtub of her own design, made from painted steel and crowned by a refreshing rain shower.

All room types offer a collection of amenities to help guests escape: the W signature bed complete with lavish W bedding; 42” LCD TVs; a munchie box (W Hotels' re-interpretation of the traditional hotel Mini Bar) satisfying any sweet or savory snack craving; high-speed internet access to keep in touch with the outside world; and an oversized desk that converts into a dining table. Round “Potato/Patata” seating by B&B Italia designed especially for the W Vieques by Patricia Urquiola, as well as a hanging chair found on every balcony, serve as places to sit back and relax.

For the ultimate W experience guests can check into one of six WOW Suites. As the largest room type at W Vieques, these suites will caterer to the traveler seeking maximum indulgence, presenting panoramic views of the ocean and a private balcony or patio area with direct beach access.

Savor the Taste of the Caribbean with a French Twist

Inspired by Chef Alain Ducasse's passion for the coastal flavors of the Mediterranean, coupled with the bounty of fresh local and regional ingredients on Vieques Island, the Retreat's signature restaurant, miX on the beach, features a contemporary menu with Latino-Caribbean flavors and an artful French twist at breakfast and dinner. Guests of W Vieques will be able to enjoy four dining options from the highly acclaimed teams of ALAIN DUCASSE Entreprise, who bring their specialized touch to the Caribbean. Executive Chef Dagan Lynn, who opened miX in New York and went on to work at miX in Las Vegas, has collaborated with Chef Ducasse to develop a refreshing mix of the essentials from land to sea.

Signature cocktails and refreshing smoothies can be enjoyed poolside at WET®, along with Mediterranean-inspired specialties and traditional American fare. As the sun sets, guests can take in the magnificent ocean views while sipping champagnes, rums and cocktails and sampling a menu of small bites at W Vieques's Living Room Bar. And for the guest on-the-go, W Cafe features a selection of daily light offerings, which can be packed in sustainable gourmet picnic boxes, ideal for those guests who want to experience the island's wildlife, crystal clear waters and untouched sandy beaches.

Indulge at Spa Chakra

Unwind and revive the body and mind at W Vieques's signature spa, Spa Chakra. With more than 6,000 square feet of space, an array of health and beauty therapies, as well as a selection of luxurious products, featuring Sue Devitt's Microquatic™ range, the separate spa pavilion offers a serene Oceanside getaway for the guest looking to fully embrace the unique vibe of the island. Rockwell Group Europe designed the spa, setting a welcoming tone that has been inspired by the holistic nature of its surroundings. Rivulets and canals flow throughout the space and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean invite spa-goers to indulge in its relaxed luxury. In the main pavilion, manicures and pedicures will be offered in a social sunken room situated in the middle, and water therapy will take place in treatment rooms with views of private stone gardens. The pavilion is surrounded by captivating gardens with strategically placed seating areas and pools, and eight private, vine-covered indoor/outdoor treatment rooms are separated from the main pavilion by a reflecting pool, offering guests additional seclusion as stress and tensions melt away. A full selection of beauty and holistic treatments are also available at Spa Chakra.

Explore Vieques

W Vieques offers guests access to an array of island activities that showcase the exclusive experience of the destination and its unique setting in the Caribbean. Targeting both adventure seekers and those looking for a quieter, more laid back experience, organized excursions are available by land or sea, including mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, fly fishing and deep-sea fishing. Other highlights include nighttime kayaking in the world's brightest Bioluminescent Bay and horseback riding off the ocean shore. History buffs should visit the world-renowned Conde de Mirasol Spanish Fort, restored into a museum of Viequense Art and History.

W Hotels brings its signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy to this island sanctuary, providing guests with whatever they want - from beachside yoga lessons at sunrise to private jet service from Puerto Rico - whenever they want it, as long as it's legal!