W HOTELS' BOLD AND INTRIGUING DESIGN IS SET TO MAKE A SPLASH ON THE ALGARVE COAST (Portugal)
Striking architecture and interiors by AB Concept reflect the Algarve’s colourful history and iconic landscape |
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W HOTELS' BOLD AND INTRIGUING DESIGN IS SET TO MAKE A SPLASH ON THE ALGARVE COAST (Portugal)
Striking architecture and interiors by AB Concept reflect the Algarve’s colourful history and iconic landscape |
Category: Europe - Portugal - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2022-06-17
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands is set to unveil the highly-anticipated W Algarve.
Located on the sun-drenched shores of the Algarve, where jagged cliffs merge with crystal clear waters and all-year sunny climes, the 134- guestroom hotel, and 83 Residences, will bring the brand’s distinctive energy to Portugal for the first time.
With an intriguing design spearheaded by AB Concept, the hotel will entwine the Algarve’s striking natural scenery and rich Portuguese history with the brand’s signature style.
“The arrival of W Hotels in the Algarve marks a new chapter for both the brand and the Algarve region, which is known for its enviable Mediterranean climate and stunning coastline scenery,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
“Through the sophisticated, striking design and colourful, storied interiors, W Algarve will offer a vibrant escape that injects the location’s charm with W Hotels’ playful style.”
The destination’s mesmerising curved Benagil caves inspired the flowing design of the hotel’s interior spaces and the colour palette of blues, aquamarines and turquoise nod to the azure sky and surrounding Atlantic Ocean. From fabrics and surfaces to tempting textures, each detail of the hotel is intentional.
Guests will discover expertly curated art and spectacular lighting all telling the story of local traditions and heritage – from ceramics, mosaic and crochet to Moorish costume, fishing livelihoods and the destination’s surf culture.
“We love to create expressive designs for both experience and memory, creating both impactful first encounters and lasting impressions. We are delighted to be working with W Hotels Worldwide to bring our joint vision of W Algarve to life, combining the cultural nuances and local traditions of this beautiful region of Portugal with W Hotels’ inimitable flair for thoughtful, intriguing and imaginative design across its hotel and residences,” said Ed Ng of AB Concept.
The Destination is in the Detail
Guests arrive through an entryway inspired by an old local folklore featuring a fluid, curved feature wall adorned with infinity mirrors and Portuguese handmade ceramic plates – made by Vista Alegre, a Portuguese porcelain craft company that has been in existence for almost 200 years - in ethereal greens and blues arranged in an abstract form, creating a mystical underwater feel the moment guests step through the doors.
Embark on a journey of discovery in the energetic W Lounge, which features a mesmerising ‘wave’ centrepiece installation made from glass panels, taking inspiration from Moorish jewellery and oceanic bubbles.
With one side of the W Lounge opening out onto the terrace, the space is flooded with bright, natural light, creating an indoor-outdoor feel.
The glamorous bar, decorated with custom-made Moorish inspired tiles, features dramatic handblown glass lighting pendants and a 20-metre-long onyx counter that extends from the interior bar to the exterior terrace.
Outside, guests can admire stylish water features and the expansive hotel grounds surrounded by lush forest – all referenced in the bar’s natural colour palette.
A Signature Sleep
The 134 ultra-chic guestrooms embrace clean maximalism. Opposites attract as natural hues and materials marry colour. Custom-made furnishings and intricate local touches are peppered throughout including filigree bedside lanterns, dramatic backlit headboards designed in a nod to nearby churches, mosaics made from authentic Algarve ceramic tiles, and a crochet pattern that adorns the glass panel separating the bathroom from the bedroom, reflecting onto the bedroom floor as the light shines through.
All guestrooms offer balconies with stunning views across the escape gardens and the Atlantic coast. The ten WOW suites feature rooftop terraces with endless coastal views.,
The Extreme WOW suite takes inspiration from Moura Encantadas, the supernatural beings from Portuguese and Galician folklore. In true W style embracing individuality and authenticity, guests are immersed the moment they walk through the mirrored foyer. Outdoors, travellers can luxuriate on their private deck, complete with a dining table, lap pool and unparalleled sea views.
Dining Sets the Scene
WET Deck, the W brand’s signature take on the poolside scene, offers guests a stylish space to soak up the sun. Laid back cabanas surround the curved edges of the cascading pools that mimic the coastline.
The Market Kitchen restaurant has been created with a neighbourhood ambience, taking inspiration from local markets using traditional Calçada Portuguesa patterned pavements, Azulejos tiles and typical style windows. It will offer a relaxed, rustic feel through the timber flooring, floor-to-ceiling tiling detail and louvred, window doors which open out onto the bright fountain garden, flooding the space with light.
A tiled communal table in the centre of the restaurant and counter seating will complete the convivial atmosphere created by this space.
Sitting atop the hotel with panoramic views as far as the eye can see, Paper Moon, sister to the renowned Milanese restaurant, showcases a chic white interior and exterior, created with white timber and monochrome floors.
Stylish and energetic, this is another seamless indoor-outdoor space; interiors are airy and light with windowed doors that open out onto an expansive terrace where guests can enjoy the peninsula’s breath-taking sights.
The spacious 13,000 square foot AWAY Spa, features a design inspired by local fishing decks. The six treatment rooms include one couple’s room, a hair salon, a mani & pedi bar, facial LED masks treatments, as well as Express Booths for pre-dinner touch-ups.
The spa also incorporates a wet area with sauna, steam and jacuzzi and a covered outdoor relaxation area.
The Beauty Bar – a relaxed, social space - is designed in pastel hues and incorporates the patterns of traditional Portuguese tiles, created in mosaic across the ceiling. The relaxation area looks out to the serene gardens beyond, while treatment rooms use dark tiles in swirling patterns, creating a calming cocoon.
About AB Concept
AB Concept is a design studio founded in Hong Kong in 1999 by architect Terence Ngan and interior designer Ed Ng. Over twenty years they have built a global portfolio of commercial and residential places, bringing the values of their clients to life in physical space with soul. Working as a creative partner with many of the world’s leading hospitality brands – such as Rosewood, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria - they create compelling environments that make people feel present in the moment.
In addition to spaces, AB Concept also designs furniture, lighting and textiles founded on the power of good design to enhance our quality of life.
Combining rigour with warmth, AB Concept goes beyond providing solutions to design emotional journeys within their projects, taking care that rational responses are always combined with attention to feeling, alongside function and form; they describe their mission as “translating intangible emotions into tangible realities, designing for experience and memory together.”
About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for over two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with nearly 60 hotels, W is defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.
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