W Hotels Worldwide Makes Sizzling Debut in South America with the Unveiling of W Santiago (Chile)
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W Hotels Worldwide Makes Sizzling Debut in South America with the Unveiling of W Santiago (Chile)
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Category: Central and South America - Chile - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-08-21
Santiago and The Residences at W Santiago Mark the Latest Opening in W Hotels’ Continued Global Expansion, More Than Doubling Its Footprint by 2011
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and leading industry innovator, today unveils its first ever hotel in South America, W Santiago and The Residences at W Santiago. The W brand’s 33rd hotel, W Santiago is the cornerstone of a larger, mixed-use complex, Isidora 3000, which includes a convention center, boutique office space, and high-end retail shops in addition to the W Hotel and W-branded residences. Developed by the Territoria Group, W Santiago is located in the heart of the fashionable El Golf district of the Chilean capital city and surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Andes.
For W Santiago, renowned New York designer Tony Chi partnered with native Chilean designer Sergio Echeverria and his studio Echeverria Edwards & CIA to create cutting edge interiors for the hotel and residences that are a cool, contemporary take on the varied Chilean landscape. Their interior design approach sets the stage for W’s signature programming, including Whiskey Blue, an amped-up hotspot on the fourth floor of the hotel, Red2 One, a breathtaking rooftop bar, and W Lounge (W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby), all from famed nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber of the Gerber Group; Osaka, the Zen-inspired restaurant featuring Peruvian-Asian cuisine by Chef Ciro Watanabe; NoSo and Terraza, two Modern French restaurants by renowned chef Jean-Paul Bondoux; an intimate Tea Library, managed by the talented French chef Sebastien Fontes; a lively Wine Bar; and W Hotels The Store, W’s twist on the hotel gift shop. In addition, hotel guests have access to the adjacent O2 Balance & Wellness Club, which offers 2,000 square meters of high-end equipment for physical training and spa treatment rooms.
“W Santiago marks a milestone for the W brand in South America as well as in our continued global expansion into the world’s most vibrant destinations,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “The hotel provides guests and locals alike with W’s unique signature programming set in a cool design environment that gives a contemporary and playful nod to the breathtaking Chilean landscape and culture.”
“We’re delighted to celebrate the grand opening of this world-class hotel and residences, which now stands as an iconic landmark in this city” said Francisco Rencoret, CEO of Territoria. “We’ve created an exceptional lifestyle destination. Isidora 3000 was designed to bring the best in each category offices, retail, residences, hotel- through experiences, design and services for the 21st century.”
“We are excited to strengthen our presence in Chile as we unveil the new W Santiago, a great addition to our existing Starwood portfolio,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America. “W is a worldwide brand already present in many important cities around the globe. We chose Santiago because of the need for outstanding hotels and for the importance Santiago has as a financial and cultural center in South America.”
Contemporary Design Rooted in Chilean Culture
Beginning with a private garden entrance flanked by 50-foot trees cultivated from southern Chile, the design of W Santiago honors the country’s cultural traditions while incorporating the modern design elements for which the W brand is known. Interior designer Tony Chi was inspired by the colors, textures and sounds of Chile, elements that can be seen, felt and heard throughout the hotel. The color palette of all public spaces and guestrooms includes oranges, blues, and other vibrant shades that are found in the mountains and deserts of South America, and many of the hotel’s design elements beckon to be touched, such as the sheepskin walls used in the W lounge. To craft and execute this conceptual design throughout the building, Chi worked in collaboration with the international company Handel Architects of the United States, the Brazilian landscape designer Gilberto Elkis, and renowned Chilean designer Sergio Echeverria. Together, they went to great lengths to use natural design materials found in or inspired by South America, including copper (Chile’s biggest export), sheepskin, Brazilian woods, and contemporary Indian tapestries. In using these natural elements, this team of designers has intended for every guest’s experience at W Santiago to be unique, as the natural materials will change with time, aging beautifully, and constantly evolving the look and feel of the hotel.
“When designing, you have to start with the location and its people, and what I noticed here is that friends and family congregate frequently and in large groups,” said Tony Chi. “Chilean culture is about crossing generations and bridging differences, and as a collective sentiment, it is what ultimately inspired W Santiago.”
Mix, Mingle and Sip in Style at W Santiago
W Santiago features an assorted mix of modern lounges, bars, and restaurants in which W’s jet set guests and Santiago’s fashionable locals can mix and mingle. Whiskey Blue, which marks the South American debut of nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber, features a modern bar with leather, felt and wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Two additional venues by the Gerber Group, the signature W lounge and Red2 One, the 21st floor rooftop bar, offer guests, residents and locals a menu of sophisticated cocktails and light fare in distinctively designed spaces.
Restaurants at W Santiago include NoSo and Terraza, where famed chef Jean-Paul Bondoux puts his own unique spin on modern French cuisine, and Osaka restaurant, featuring an innovative fusion of Asian and Peruvian flavors by renowned chef Ciro Watanabe. At Osaka, typical Peruvian ingredients are combined with Oriental cooking techniques, resulting in innovative dishes, such as Ceviche Osaka, Tai Scallops, Teriyaki Balsamic Sirloin, and Nippon Confit Duck. NoSo, a more formal dining experience, features a contemporary twist on French classics such as foie gras and escargot as well as fresh Chilean seafood. NoSo features chocolate-colored walls, a wine cave, marble seafood display, and an impressive chef’s table, where the chef prepares the freshest ingredients from the local market. Adjacent to NoSo, a private dining room seats up to 25 people, with blue glass chandeliers hanging above massive tables surrounded by plush red chairs. With a brasserie-style concept, Terraza is a more casual restaurant with quick and agile service, ideal for local executives or relaxed outdoor dining. A signature Tea Library and a modern Wine Bar round out the scene at W Santiago.
Escape the Hustle and Bustle of Chile’s Dynamic Capital City
W Santiago features 196 stylish guestrooms, including 20 suites, 16 Cool Corner Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, three WOW suites, and the signature Extreme WOW Suite (W Hotels’ reinterpretation of the Presidential Suite), offering stunning views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. Rooms and suites, which serve as a personal escape for guests, feature black and white images of Chile, modern and stylish furniture, high ceilings, and, in many cases, spacious terraces with incredible views. All guestrooms feature W beds with goose down duvets and 350 thread-count sheets, flat-screen LCD TVs, broadband Wi-Fi Internet, docking stations for MP3 players, and a fully stocked Munchie Box (W Hotels’ take on of the traditional hotel mini bar).
W Santiago is also home to South America’s first W Hotels The Store, a WIRED 24-hour business center, and the heated WET® rooftop pool on the 21st floor, which offers unparalleled views of the city and mountains. The perfect backdrop for creative business meetings or unforgettable celebrations, W Santiago also boasts more than 1,800 square meters of ultra-modern meeting and event space, with 10 fully equipped meeting rooms featuring new generation technologies. The hotel offers a contemporary Great Room (W’s version of a ballroom), which can seat up to 1,400 guests.
Providing the ultimate in urban living, W Santiago includes 46 W-branded residences, in sizes ranging from 65 to 325 square meters with a contemporary design and exclusive access to the hotel’s unique amenities and services. All residences feature the largest terraces in Santiago, spacious bedrooms and living spaces, and state-of-the art appliances. In addition, residents have access to a private owners’ lounge, private wine cellar and tasting room, an infinity pool on the 21st floor, and a helipad. Residences are still available and can be purchased by contacting the sales center at (56-2) 947-2032 or through the website www.santiagoresidences.com. In addition, W Santiago offers W’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service promise, providing both guests and residents alike with whatever they want – from a private plane to the Patagonia to a bottle of vintage wine – whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal!
W Santiago is located at Isidora Goyenechea 3000, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.
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