W Hotels Worldwide Debuts in Switzerland with W Verbier, the W Brand’s First Alpine and Ski Retreat
Cross the Line: Marking the 45th W Hotel Globally, W Verbier Brings a New York Urban Edge to the Heart of the Swiss Alps |
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W Hotels Worldwide Debuts in Switzerland with W Verbier, the W Brand’s First Alpine and Ski Retreat
Cross the Line: Marking the 45th W Hotel Globally, W Verbier Brings a New York Urban Edge to the Heart of the Swiss Alps |
Category: Europe - Switzerland - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2013-12-16
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the debut of W Hotels in Switzerland with the highly-anticipated opening of W Verbier, the W brand’s first ever alpine and ski retreat. Owned by Swiss-based Les Trois Rocs, W Verbier and The Residences at W Verbier are part of a multi-component luxury development project ideally situated next to the main Médran gondola at the foot of the Verbier ski slopes. W Verbier offers global jetsetters and Verbier enthusiasts immediate ski-in, ski-out access to all of the exciting alpine action combined with the W brand’s distinctive, cutting-edge lifestyle programming.
“We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Les Trois Rocs starting with the launch of our first W alpine and ski retreat,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “We are delighted to introduce the innovative W brand into Switzerland and a world-class destination like Verbier, as we continue to grow the brand’s presence in this region.”
“W Verbier and The Residences at W Verbier offer a lifestyle concept that is completely new to Switzerland,” said Vincent Luisier, Chairman of Les Trois Rocs SA. “We are thrilled to be working with Starwood to bring the globally-renowned W brand to the Swiss Alps and are confident that W Verbier will be a major success, combining luxurious, contemporary design with extraordinary service.”
“Bringing the W brand to Verbier, one of the world’s hottest ski resorts, marks a significant milestone in the global expansion of W Hotels into the world’s most exciting destinations”, said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. “At W Verbier, alpine enthusiasts and global jetsetters will experience the W brand’s unique lifestyle programming and innovative design set against a jaw-dropping mountain backdrop”.
The opening of W Verbier marks an important milestone as the global design powerhouse celebrates 15 years of W innovation since it opened its first hotel in New York City in 1998. With 45 hotels and retreats around the world, W is on track to reach 60 hotels by 2017.
Cross the Line – Swiss Alpine Ski Escape, New York Urban EdgeDesigned by world-renowned Concrete Architectural Associates, W Verbier offers stylish, energetic spaces inspired by the dynamic carve of the ski through the snow, allowing guests to carve their own trail of experiences through the resort. Set in four wooden chalet-style buildings, each connected by a stylish glass atrium, W Verbier’s cutting-edge interiors juxtapose New York’s urban style with Swiss design and the stunning mountainscape.
W Verbier offers 123 stylish guest rooms, including one Extreme WOW Suite (the W brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite), as well as 15 stunning W-branded Residences, for jet setters seeking unforgettable travel experiences. All guest rooms and suites feature a cosy fireplace and a balcony with spectacular panoramic alpine views, while the rustic wooden, chalet-style interiors provide a warm contrast to the sleek furnishings.
W Sets the Scene in Verbier with New Restaurants and Night SpotsW Verbier welcomes two Michelin-starred Spanish Chef Sergi Arola, who brings his innovative cuisine to Verbier with Restaurant Arola, his first restaurant in Switzerland. Together with Executive Head Chef Torsten Sallstrom, Arola has created exciting menus inspired by the abundance of quality, artisanal Swiss produce and his Catalan roots. Restaurant Arola features two stylish venues: Arola, which introduces the “pica pica” concept with creative interpretations of Swiss classics, served on a platter for all to share and boasts a spacious outdoor terrace with spectacular views; and Eat-Hola, which offers a daily-changing tapas menu and cocktails along a 25-metre bar that faces the open, marble-clad kitchen.
Throughout the day and into the evening, guests can mix and mingle while enjoying the breath-taking vista and a twist on après-ski cocktails in the stylish W Living Room, the W brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional lobby space. Carve, W Verbier’s pulsating destination bar, is set to become the hottest place to see and be seen in the retreat, with one of the hotel’s resident DJs spinning the latest sounds long into the night. Located directly in front of the Médran gondola, W Café overlooks the buzzing action of the resort for the perfect alpine refreshment stop, whilst outside on the Place Blanche, Off-Piste will be the go-to place for après-ski refreshment with a sizzling DJ on the decks.
Detox and Refuel at AWAY SpaW Verbier’s 800 square metre signature AWAY Spa sets the stage for complete post-slope relaxation and pre-night out pampering. Featuring nine treatment rooms, including two couples’ rooms, AWAY Spa offers signature massages and facials using products based on the seasons and elements, tailored for different skin types. These include Swiss brand Phyto 5 whose range of natural skincare products is centred on the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, as well as Gemology, a French brand focused on gemstone therapy that will make its debut in Switzerland at W Verbier. AWAY Spa also features a sauna, a hammam, a Jacuzzi, and an indoor-outdoor WET pool deck with impressive views and its own buzzing bar area.
Other offerings at W Verbier include FIT® state-of-the-art fitness facility and three W Studios, offering close to 300 square metres of ultra-modern event space perfect for cocktail receptions, board meetings or intimate celebrations. All of this is supported by the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want, whenever they want it.
W Verbier is now accepting reservations, including group arrivals and event bookings. Rooms start from CHF500 per room per night during the winter ski season, including VAT and breakfast. For further information or to book, call 00800 325 25252 or visit www.whotels.com/verbier. Follow W Verbier on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wverbier and on Twitter @WVerbier.
About W Hotels WorldwideW Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 45 hotels and retreats, including 17 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. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences. With 15 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by 2017. W Hotels have been announced for Milan, Shanghai, Beijing, Bogota, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, Suzhou, Changsha, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, and Santa Fe, Mexico, while upcoming W Retreats include Goa and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
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