W Hotels Strengthens Presence in Latin
America with Opening of Second Hotel in Mexico, W Punta de
Mita
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), expands its Latin American portfolio
with the opening of W Punta de Mita in Mexico’s Riviera
Nayarit. Owned by Fideicomiso Los Veneros, the new hotel is part of
the multi-use oceanfront development, Los Veneros, on Mexico’s
magnificent Pacific Coast which is known as one of the world’s most
desirable vacation destinations.
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The WET Deck at W Punta de Mita (Photo:
Business Wire)
W Punta de Mita is the 48th W Hotel worldwide and fifth W Hotel
in Latin America following W Santiago, W Mexico City, W Vieques
Island and W Bogota, bringing Starwood’s iconic category disruptor
closer to reaching 75 hotels by 2020. W Punta de Mita joins W
Mexico City as the brand’s second hotel in the country, as well as
the second Latin American W Escape (the brand’s modern approach to
staid leisure travel, currently in ten destinations around the
world).
“We are delighted to introduce our new W Escape to Mexico’s
Riviera Nayarit, a world-class destination for surf and sun, as we
continue to grow the brand’s presence in this region,” said Anthony
Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “W Punta de Mita
brings a playfully stylish addition to this Mexican hot spot, and
we are confident that with the brand’s unique lifestyle programming
and cutting-edge design it will become a must-visit destination to
the new generation of jetsetters.”
“Starwood has been aggressively expanding its presence in Latin
America and is on track to reach 100 hotels this year,” said Jorge
Giannattasio, Chief of Latin America Operations and Global
Initiatives, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Mexico is an important
market for our company, and we are excited to continue to grow and
introduce this new W Escape experience into the country.”
Bohemian Surf Culture Inspired
Design
Designed by ASET/AOMA in collaboration with Oakland-based design
firm Mister Important Design, and Starwood’s
award-winning design team, W Punta de Mita is inspired by the
local bohemian surf culture found throughout Mexico’s Pacific
Coast. Steeped in historical, social and spiritual context, the
design of the hotel conveys: colorful Mexico; the blues of the bay
and the coast surrounding Puerto Vallarta; traditional patterns of
the Huichol people (indigenous people of Nayarit); images of
traditional Mexican celebration; sensational sunsets over the
beach; vivid handcrafts with ancient roots and the amalgamation of
Spanish and indigenous cultures all of which are brought to life
throughout the hotel’s luxurious and stylish villas, public spaces,
and buzzing bars and restaurants.
When designing the property, careful measures were put in place
to ensure that the natural surroundings – the ancient fig trees and
natural springs – were not disturbed during construction. Many of
these natural features are showcased throughout the hotel’s design
including the reuse of spring water in the reflection pools and
within the spa.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a cheeky and oversized
9-foot Huichol statue standing in a reflection pool, along with a
fleet of colorful Tuk Tuks with artwork customized by Revolución
Del Sueño, a Sayulita based design studio, that whisk travelers
from the main entrance to the Welcome area and Living Room (the
brand’s take on the hotel lobby), as well as around the grounds.
Backdrops behind the Welcome Desks, are reimagined versions of
Papel Picado, a traditional Mexican folk art that hangs in villages
during community events and celebrations and evocative of being
welcomed into a Mexican fiesta. Mexican wrestling masks (Lucha
Libre); historical figures with surfboards; mariachi instruments;
candy skulls, evoking death; and sayings such as “Mexico es Amor”
and “Canta y No Lllores” translating to Sing and Don’t Cry (a line
from a famous local song which highlights the culture’s upbeat
disposition) are artfully embedded into the hotel’s design.
A bright blue and green mosaic “Camino Huichol” walkway,
stretching over 450 feet, acts as the central nervous system of the
space, with restaurants and shops branching off. The walkway guides
guests from the Welcome area, through the Living Room and onto the
center walkway of the WET deck (pool area), finally jutting out
over the beach for that Insta-worthy view of the sunset over the
Pacific Ocean. Comprised of more than three quarters of a million
individual tiles, the colors and scenes depicted within the design
are inspired by the Huichol people who are indigenous to this area
of Mexico. The pathway is also a representation of the Huichol life
journey, highlighting the ups and downs of life, with the goal to
achieve spiritual ascension (as you may over the ocean at the end
of the path).
W Punta de Mita’s Living Room (W’s answer to the staid
hotel lobby) is inspired by a traditional Palapa, one big open
space with no walls to divide the area, and is anchored by a
rectangular bar that replicates an altar. Above the Living Room
bar, a sacrificially-inspired chandelier sways in the ocean breeze,
illuminated by 450 LED lights designed to look like church votives.
This is a reference to the spirituality of the culture, and is
non-denominational, paying homage to Mexico’s traditional
mysticism. Underneath, a gong at the bar is rung each evening to
gather guests to appreciate the sunset. Scattered throughout the
space are long, beautifully-crafted strands of beads around small
cocktail tables for guests to sit and sip on handcrafted signature
cocktails while listening to the sounds of the resident DJ, which
is housed in the corner leading to the WET Deck.
The WET deck features lounge chairs nestled under the walkway
and around the pool in a palette that seamlessly blends with the
sand, while the bar and DJ booth are housed at the end of the deck
overlooking the beach. VIP cabanas are spread out around the
perimeter and sunbathing loungers are conveniently placed in the
shallows of the pool. Six private cabanas, each artfully decorated
with a mural of a mermaid it is named after by Revolución Del
Sueño, are found on the beach off the WET Deck. Each cabana is
equipped with a flat screen TV, fully stocked mini bar, personal
shower and bathroom, and is available for rent for $500USD+ per
day.
Located about the property are three beautifully designed,
locally-inspired murals by Mexican graffiti artist Nacho
Bernal, depicting different takes on W Punta de Mita’s
surrounding area. One piece of art found on the side of the
beachfront villas depicts a jungle scene with a jaguar adorned in
Huichol beads, an animal that was said to be the guardian of the
Huichol culture. However, the jaguar is always hidden (as it is in
the mural) and legend says that if the animal is seen it will only
be seconds before it pounces.
Room With A (Pacific)
View
The hotel offers a selection of 119 stylishly designed
guest villas, including one Extreme WOW Suite (the W brand’s take
on the traditional Presidential Suite). All villas and suites
feature private balconies or patios, artisanal Mexican tiled floors
and headboards fashioned from either surfboards or punctured tin
replicating the design found in local churches, as well as the
signature W Bed and sumptuous Bliss® bath amenities. Cleverly
incorporated into the décor of each villa are repurposed vintage
photographs of Mexican historical figures, such as Frida Kahlo, by
Revolución Del Sueño. A cluster of casitas called Ocean Escape
Villas resemble a pre-Hispanic fishing village of the past.
Surrounding the property’s spring-fed lake, the villas are designed
in a way to highlight the natural beauty – each has private
terraces and an enclosed open-roofed patio for stargazing by night
and natural light by day. The Jungle Escape Villas feature
private balconies allowing for intimate views of the surrounding
natural beauty, including the bright red trunks of the papelillo
trees and hanging vines of the forest. The villas are offset to
accommodate these ancient trees and to respect the topography of
the area.
The 4,460 square foot, 2-bedroom Extreme WOW Suite
is inspired by the Mexican Flag – the red is found in the tiles of
the pool, the green in the surrounding vegetation and the white in
the expansive views of the crashing waves on the beach seen from
the suite’s private terrace. The center focal point of the room is
the swimming pool that circles around the suite’s island-like
living room and can only be accessed by a small wooden bridge above
the water.
Mix, Mingle and Indulge
W Punta de Mita offers five distinct dining spaces where guests
can mix and mingle including one of the most exclusive restaurants
in the world, Mesa1. Privately situated on an island in the
middle of a spring-fed lake, this “restaurant” can accommodate only
one seating daily. A gastronomic experience unlike any other,
guests arrive on stepping stones that emerge from the water and
disappear once everyone has been seated. A massive Parota tree
trunk from the local forest was repurposed to create the
spectacular dining surface. The evening is then topped off with a
seven-course customizable tasting menu prepared by one of W Punta
de Mita’s private chefs.
Influenced by the cuisine that Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
enjoyed while traveling throughout Southeast Asia, Spice
Market evokes a Pan-Asian oasis with a tropical twist for
guests looking to enjoy shareable lite bites and handcrafted
cocktails. A large mirror on the ceiling features hand cut images
representing foliage while the VIP section is home to Spice
Market’s signature glass dome.
Perfect for afternoon or happy hour snacks, W Punta de Mita’s
Chevicheria is located on the beach near the WET Deck.
Serving signature ceviche and craft beers from a converted 1950s
Chevrolet 3800 truck, the vibrant Latin American recipes blend
citrus and raw fish or seafood seasoned together for a refreshing
break from the Mexican sun.
Venazu, open all day, is the hotel’s casual dining
restaurant offering guests authentic Mexican cuisine with must-try
dishes like Taco de Langosta al Pastor, Risotto de Huitlacoche, and
Venado Cocida en Hoyas de Aguacate. With locally sourced materials
– from the colorful upholstery to the brightly painted, refurbished
Mexican baking shelves reused as partitions – the space fosters a
convivial, lively atmosphere with sweeping views of the ocean,
evocative of a Mexican town during their weeklong fiesta.
How to Spend a Day in
Paradise
W Punta de Mita’s 4,000 square foot AWAY Spa is designed
to feel like a forest cave. Centered in the room is a hanging
chandelier of glass flowers in the colors of a Mexican sunset,
alongside a beauty bar with stations for manicures, pedicures,
waxing, blow outs and more. The Relaxation Deck features intricate
cutouts in the wood to accommodate for the roots of surrounding
guardian fig trees. The Therapy Pools beside a natural spring offer
different treatments such as hydrotherapy, cold mist, hydro jets,
pressure showers, and waterfalls with varied temperatures. Each of
the five treatment rooms incorporate water into the design with
beds strategically placed over glass cutouts in the floor to
overlook a fish pond.
Other offerings include W Punta de Mita’s Wave Surf Shop
featuring endless options of non-motorized watersports such as
surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and kitesurfing. The
brand’s signature FIT® state-of-the-art fitness
facility and three unique meeting and event spaces boast nearly
2,600 square feet, perfect for cocktail receptions, board meetings,
intimate celebrations and weddings. All of this is supported by the
W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy,
providing guests whatever they want, whenever they want it.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit
www.whotels.com/PuntadeMita or www.
Facebook.com/WPuntadeMita or follow @WPuntadeMita on Instagram.
For more information on W Hotels Worldwide, visit
www.facebook.com/whotels or follow @WHotels on Twitter and
Instagram.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the
industry innovator with 49 hotels including 18 W-branded
residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations
around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W
Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique
mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and
entertainment. With over 15 years of proven success, W Hotels is on
track to reach 75 hotels by 2020. W Hotels have been announced for
Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Goa, Abu Dhabi, Phuket, Dubai, Amman, Jakarta,
Panama, Riviera Maya, Muscat, Hainan Island, Suzhou, Changsha,
Chengdu, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Shenyang, Marrakech, Brisbane,
Aspen and Madrid. For more information, visit whotels.com or
follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160824005670/en/
Media:W Hotels WorldwideKatie Cline,
212-380-4013Katie.Cline@WHotels.comorTHINK PRLeanne Drago,
212-343-3920ldrago@thinkpublicrelations.comorTiffini Miles,
212-343-3920tmiles@thinkpublicrelations.com
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