W Hotels Insider 2012 what’snew/next

I N S I D E R THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON IS SHAPING UP TO BE A FIERCELY SENSATIONAL 12 MONTHS FOR W, WITH SEVERAL KEY HOTELS OPENING ACROSS ASIA IN ESTABLISHED AND UP AND COMING LOCALES. STARTING WITH THE W SINGAPORE – SENTOSA COVE OPENING ITS DOORS IN AUGUST, IT’S PRIMED TO WELCOME THE REGION’S MOST HIP FROM ITS CHIC BEACHSIDE LOCATION. LIKEWISE, W BANGKOK WILL DELIVER ADDED COOL TO ASIA’S MOST VIBRANT CITY WHEN THE HOTEL, SITUATED ON SOUTH SATHORN ROAD IN THE BUZZING COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, OPENS THIS OCTOBER. JUST BEFORE THE DRAGON ROARS OUT, W GUANGZHOU, SITUATED AMID THE HEADY LUXE OF ZHUJIANG DISTRICT, WILL PROVIDE THE EXCLAMATION POINT ON THE CALENDAR. AND IN 2013, W MACAO STUDIO CITY WILL INTRODUCE A DASH OF COOL TO THE COTAI STRIP – ASIA’S TAKE ON LAS VEGAS – WHEN IT OPENS ITS DOORS. AS USUAL, W PRESENTS THE BEST FROM THE WORLDS OF MUSIC, DESIGN AND FASHION VIA A SERIES OF HIP HAPPENINGS IN 2012, WITH SEVERAL CHIC SOIREES SLATED FOR THE COMING MONTHS, FROM GLITZY OPENERS FOR W GUANGZHOU, SINGAPORE AND BANGKOK TO HONG KONG’S SUMMER SERIES, SIX SEXY POOLSIDE SHINDIGS HOSTED FROM THE LOFTIEST OUTDOOR POOL IN THE CITY.

W SPAS

RETREAT & SURRENDER 01

02 A SPACE TO SHED STRESS AND REFUEL YOUR COOL, EVERY SPA AT W FLAUNTS DARINGLY DISTINCTIVE THERAPIES FITTING TO THE CITY THEY’RE IN, FROM W HONG KONG’S MOVIE WHILE YOU MANICURE TREATMENT FOR GLOSSY NAILS AT COCKTAILS TO TANTRIC MEDITATION FOR BEACHSIDE REFLECTION AT W BALI RETREAT & SPA – SEMINYAK.

Situated amid the mind-blowing highs and neon vistas of the 72nd floor and an ideal location for bridal showers, girly gettogethers and cocktail receptions, the only BLISS spa in Asia at W Hong Kong boasts over 9,000 square feet of tension fighting and beautifying facilities, all with knock-out views over Victoria Harbour and the luminous architecture of West Kowloon.

The spa recently partnered with Elemis and has launched two new treatments, Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial and Elemis Exotic Ginger and Lime Salt Glow.

The AWAY Spa in the Maldives presents an altogether different option to Hong Kong’s urban chic with winsome views of the Indian Ocean from four private overwater treatment

villas: try the signature Coconut Sense, which employs this tropical miracle nut to soothe your body from head to toe, or shake off the jetlag with the Jet AwayFace, a time zone tuning with chamomile, lavender and rosewood extracts.

Set amid the sublime surrounds of Thailand’s hottest beach resort, W Retreat – Koh Samui plays host to Asia’s first Thaimazcal herbal/ steam sauna experience, a unique therapy using Thai herbs and essential oils to purify body and soul based on the traditional Mexican Temazcal ritual. Alternatively, turn back the clock with the Dermalogica Gold Facial Therapy, inspired by 14th century Chinese and ancient Egyptian beauty treatments and packed with Gamma PGA moisturizer for a younger, brighter you.

With calming waves of white and threedimensional bubble motifs to welcome, the AWAY Spa at W Taipei features a cosy mani-pedi lounge and three chic treatment rooms. Go drastic with the Ultimate Extreme Makeover, a slimming wrap and W list facial, or the Taipei Face and Bust Boost, both exclusive to the spa.

W Seoul-Walkerhill is another sleek sanctuary from the big city buzz, an eclectic spa that incorporates everything from traditional Korean deep tissue massages and seaweed masks to Natural Salt Glow and Vanilla Silky Coat body treatments for sensational skin.

Craving inner peace? Book a tantric meditation session, or channel your chi with some wushu at W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, the city’s only 24-hour spa.

Overdone it? Then check in for the signature Morning After Massage, a finger, hand and forearm pressure treatment with herbal oils infused with fresh lime, basil, mint and rosemary leaves that refuels for what’s next.

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01 W KOH SAMUI: THAIMAZCAL TREATMENT 02 W HONG KONG: NAIL LOUNGE AT BLISS SPA 03 W HONG KONG: BIP SUITE AT BLISS SPA 04 W RETREAT & SPA BALI – SEMINYAK: ENTRANCE 05 W MALDIVES: SEA VIEWS AT THE AWAY SPA 06 W SEOUL: OUTSIDE AT THE AWAY SPA 07 W MALDIVES: HOT STONE THERAPY 08 W SEOUL: ACID BRIGHTS ADD A POP OF COOL 09 W RETREAT & SPA BALI – SEMINYAK: VIVID WELCOME

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A MODEL’S LIFE: PHOTO SHOW AT BUND 18, SHANGHAI

W HELD ITS FIRST EVER MAINLAND CHINA HAPPENING LAST DECEMBER IN SHANGHAI, A GLITTERING EXPOSÉ SPONSORED BY W SEOUL OF WHAT’S NEW/NEXT IN DESIGN/FASHION/MUSIC THAT ATTRACTED OVER 300 MOVERS AND SHAKERS.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME: DJ SOULSCAPE BEHIND THE DECKS

MIXING IT UP: COCKTAILS

BY WOO BAR BARTENDER MICKEY FROM W SEOUL

Presented by W Seoul – Walkerhill and held at hip address Bund 18, the maiden mainland W Happening showcased hot design and photography and genre-defying beats from DJ Angus Wong and celebrity Seoul spinner DJ Soulscape to the trendsetters of Shanghai.

Singapore duo Studio Juju, one of the winners of the W Hotels Designers of the Future Award 2011, represented the best in new design with its installation, ‘A Tent’, exhibited at W Hong Kong. The worlds of design and fashion also collided with a startlingly raw exhibition, ‘Between Us: A Model’s Life’ from Annemarieke van Drimmelen at this hip happening.

The model-turned-photographer and W Design Lab winner captures intimate portraits of leading models including Caroline de Maigret, Saskia de Brauw and Nimue Smias as they go about their daily lives. These intimate black and white portraits were first seen during the Fashion’s Night Out Happening in W New York – Times Square.

Two top names on the DJ circuit, Angus Wong and DJ Soulscape, were behind the turntables to create a fitting soundscape for W’s first foray on the mainland. Famous for lifting his listeners to exhilarating highs with his mix of cool retro beats, Wong is one of six up and coming DJs from the W Burn DJ Lab Studio, which platforms hot young talent from the hippest cities worldwide. Seoul-born DJ Soulscape is currently making a name for himself in the US with hot remixes of ‘70s soul and funk, and his music is available via the W iPhone App. With several W Hotels poised to make their debut in mainland China starting with W Guangzhou in 2012 – closely followed by Beijing in 2013 and Shanghai in 2014 – this W Happening provided the middle kingdom with a taste of new experiences based around W Hotels’ three passion points – design, music and fashion.

THE BEST DESIGN: ‘A TENT’ FROM STUDIO JUJU EXHIBITED AT W HONG KONG

MIX AND MINGLE: THE DJS WITH ANNEMARIEKE VAN DRIMMELEN AND DIMPHY DEN OTTER

THE BIGGEST, MOST GLAMOROUS PARTY NIGHT OF THE YEAR, NEW YEAR’S EVE IS CELEBRATED IN CHARACTERISTICALLY SHOW-STOPPING STYLE AT W WITH FAB FOOD, THE COOLEST COCKTAILS AND VISIONARY DJ’S ALL LURING HIP REVELERS TO AN UNFORGETTABLE COUNTDOWN.

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN: ABOVE: REVELERS AT THE NEW YEAR’S PARTY AT W HONG KONG’S LIVING ROOM. RIGHT: DAN AVERY AT W RETREAT & SPA BALI

COCKTAILS WITH CHEER: TOASTING IN THE NEW YEAR IN STYLE AT W RETREAT & SPA BALI –SEMINYAK

W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak counted down to 2012 with a buffet dinner at Fire, where sumptuous oysters and prime meats revved up energy levels before the celebrations went full swing. Resident DJ Nanda was first on the decks followed by W Hotels Burn Lab artist DJ Dan Avery (UK), aka Stopmakingme, who paired electro with techno and post-punk with new wave without skipping a beat in the lead-up to midnight.

Top house talent Graham Lord, another UK turntablist, took the tunes to another level for the champagne countdown and fireworks while the after party spinned out to the cool tech house of Norwegian DJ/producer Djuma Soundsystem. Bali revelers recuperated on New Year’s Day at Fire’s Recovery Brunch and Star Fish Bloo’s Hangover Brunch, an exaggerated version of the hotel’s Sunday Brunch featuring turkey and roasted duck, plus a chilled-out Sunset Session at WooBar with DJ Angus Wong. Amid the neon-clad skyscrapers, W Hong Kong steered in 2012 with a Hed Kandi happening, Disco’s Revenge, featuring a funk and electro soundtrack mixed up by DJ Andrew Daniels, a live sax performance from Aimee Jay, plus support from DJ’s Adrian Armirail and Romi B. Post-party blues were blown away the next day with bamboo baskets of dim sum at top Canto restaurant Sing Yin, and an interactive buffet – complete with moving Mona Lisa and a countable wall of golden eggs – at Kitchen. From its luxury playground on Fesdu Island, W Retreat & Spa – Maldives saluted the New Year with Danish DJ duo Enur, who whipped the crowd up into a frenzy at 15 Below with the W Happening ‘Unplug 2011 & Play 2012’. The next day, revelers shook off hangovers over barbecue feasts at Fire and Asianskewed seafood plates at Fish.

GASTRO HEAVEN: W BALI GUESTS RECOUPED ON NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH BRUNCH AT FIRE AND STARFISH BLOO

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W HONG AN IMAGINATIVE AND PLAYFUL DESIGN THEME OF “ONCE UPON KONG AWITH TIME IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST…” W HONG KONG REMAINS AS ICONIC NOW AS WHEN IT FIRST OPENED AT ITS BUZZING LOCATION AMID KOWLOON’S BRIGHT LIGHTS. THE ENCHANTED FOREST IS SYMBOLIC OF THE CITY’S DISTINCTLY LOFTY LANDSCAPE, WHERE SKYSCRAPERS REACH UP TO CREATE AN URBAN CANOPY UNLIKE ANY OTHER. SINCE ITS GRAND DEBUT, W HONG KONG HAS EARNED SEVERAL WORTHY ACCOLADES, INCLUDING ‘TOP 10 TRENDIEST HOTELS IN ASIA 2011’ FROM TRIPADVISOR, ‘TOP 5 BEST BOUTIQUE/DESIGN HOTELS 2011’ IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER CHINA, ‘BEST NEW BUSINESS HOTEL’ IN ASIA PACIFIC 2009 & 2010 _ BUSINESS TRAVELLER AND ‘HOT LIST 2009/SPA HOTLIST 2009’ – CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER.

The next stop on the enchanted trail is the Living Room, W’s trendy take on the traditional hotel lobby, where a vivid ecosystem of leaves, butterflies, hummingbirds and mosquitos – represented as installations and on plush printed cushions – propels the enchanted forest theme to further magical heights. A place to call home, iving Room is an eventful venue where W happenings – driven by music, design and fashion – take place. Recent events include Business of Design Week (BODW), W Hotels and Burn Studio DJ Lab Global Tour, and glam fashion events.

Topping out this bewitching wonderland is WET on the 76th floor, the hotel’s iconic rooftop swimming pool and poolside bar, WET DECK, which is the venue for W’s legendary Summer Series, the hottest invite in town. The magical journey starts from the tree trunks in the lobby, which continue all the way up to WET and ends with the dramatic Bisazza mosaic wall, which depicts an explosion of fantasy. The bar serves up sunsetinis and mitch martinis against a sonic backdrop of cutting-edge beats from Burn Studio DJ Lab artist Angus Wong.

The magical aura continues in the guest rooms, particularly the Extreme Wow suite and Wow Suites, all of which feature sensational harbor views best enjoyed from the deluxe tub. Many international celebrities are fans of W’s super-sumptuous suites, including Kylie Minogue, Avril Lavigne, Rain, Zhou Xun, Lionel Richie and Jay Chou.

Sing Yin is W’s first Chinese restaurant, designed by international architect and interior designer Steve Leung, who showases the unique features of Hong Kong’s streetscapes in a groundbreaking, contemporary way.

The main dining space pays tribute to the city skyline while the semi-private and private rooms zoom in on less obvious details: the gorgeously glam gold room is a nod to the city’s many gold boutiques, while one festooned with bird cages represents the city’s bird markets.

On the menu is authentic Chinese cusine from W Hong Kong’s Chinese head chef Bryan Lee.

Over in the Kitchen, the Mad Hatter’s tea party awaits as evidenced by the topsy-turvy bowls and dishes playfully stacked in glass cabinets behind the first true communal dining table in Hong Kong, which encourages guests to not only interact with the nearby chefs but also with each other.

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W INSIDER

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01 THE DAZZLING SINGAPORE SKYLINE 02 PARAGON CENTRE ON ORCHARD ROAD 03 THE CHILLED OUT VIBE OF SILOSO 04 A WHITE TIGER AT THE NIGHT SAFARI 05 W SINGAPORE – SENTOSA COVE

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04 COMBINING THE ALLURE OF A CITY SETTING – HOT SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE – WITH THE BLISSED-OUT AMBIENCE OF A BEACH LOCALE, W SINGAPORE – SENTOSA COVE WILL HAVE IT ALL WHEN IT OPENS THIS AUGUST FROM ITS SEXY SPOT ON THE GLITTERING SHORES OF SENTOSA ISLAND.

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One of Singapore’s top draws is only moments away from the hotel, Universal Studios, where you can ride adrenalin-pumping rollercoasters and other moviethemed attractions. Alternatively, ride the waves on a skimboard, join a game of volleyball or simply stretch out under a sun lounger at Siloso, Singapore’s most happening beach location, which is also home to Azzura, Sentosa’s first nightclub, where international DJ’s power up the turntables and a cool crowd soaks up the vibe from the beachside jacuzzi.

Beyond Sentosa’s action-packed, palm-thronged beaches, Singapore’s downtown area is shopping nirvana, home to hip UK fashion names like Top Shop

and Warehouse and luxury brands including Gucci and YSL, all located within swish malls such as ION Orchard and the Paragon Centre. The lion city is also the place to pick up more quirky retail offshoots, like Haji Lane, a tiny street tucked away in the Muslim quarter that recalls New York’s meatpacking district.

Browse the racks of retro stylings at Know It Nothing – from US heritage brand Gitman Vintage and Stone For Gold’s ethnic pouches and purses – or settle down in the cute ice cream parlour at Pluck after checking out its fashion/homeware emporium, where vintage kimonos line up against lavish printed pillows.

One of Asia’s most lip-smacking cities, Singapore is a delectable melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian, and the most authentic mouthfuls are found at the Hawker centres – pull up a stool at Maxwell Road or Lau Pa Sat – where dishes like Hainanese Chicken Rice and Nasi Lemak compete for your taste buds attention.

Come nightfall, the lion city roars into action – literally – at the Night Safari, where nocturnal species including elephants, tigers, rhinos and lions come out to play.

Wrap up your Singapore stopover at Zouk, where seven resident DJ’s spin a funky house set, then settle in with a nightcap back at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.

DJ BOUJI INTERNATIONAL PARTY SCENE FAVORITE

THE W HOTELS AND BURN STUDIOS DJ LAB GLOBAL TOUR HAS BEEN CRANKING UP THE TURNTABLES AND PACKING OUT DANCE FLOORS AT W LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE WITH CREATIVE, GENRE-DEFYING MIXES FROM SIX OF THE WORLD’S HOTTEST DJ’S SINCE THE TOUR TOOK OFF LAST SEPTEMBER.

STOPMAKINGME RESIDENT DJ AT HOT LONDON CLUB FABRIC

ANGUS WONG: HONG KONG SENSATION WITH GLOBAL RETRO APPEAL

DJ EIKO TOKYO TURNTABLIST AND FASHION BLOGGER

MIAOUMIX PARISIAN DUO WHO SPUN AT FASHION NEXT AND RESIDENTS AT LA BARON

W Maldives just featured a residency from W Burn DJ Lab artist DJ Angus Wong, who lit up the North Ari atoll with his sultry beats from 21-25 January as part of the tour. Wong also joined Tokyo-based DJ, singer and fashion blogger DJ Eiko behind the decks at W Hong Kong on 3 December for the closing party of W sponsored event Business of Design Week (BODW), where established and up-and-coming designers bonded over Disco Detox, Spin Spin Sugar and Down Tempo cocktails. Back in October, W Taipei hosted DJ Eiko for the Heaven & Hell Hallowe’en Party as part of the tour, while W Seoul hosted Wong at its annual W WOW party on 25 November. W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak’s first year anniversary party over the weekend of 2-4 March, was sound tracked by Hed Kandi and Angus Wong, who also rocks up for a date at W Retreat – Koh Samui this April.

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MOVIES 01

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W TAIPEI TOASTED ITS FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH THE ‘ONE LOVE’ EVENT AT WET AND WOOBAR, A STYLISH RE-IMAGINING OF THE PARTY SCENE FROM THE TAIWANESE MOVIE ‘LOVE’, WHICH WAS FILMED AT THE HOTEL. DIRECTOR DOZE NIU SINGLED OUT W TAIPEI AS A GLAMOROUS BACKDROP FOR ONE OF THE MOVIE’S MOST MEMORABLE SCENES, AND BESIDES THE MAIN CHARACTERS, MANY OTHER CELEBRITIES AND ARTISTS ATTENDED THE PARTY IN THE MOVIE, AS DID W TAIPEI GM CARY GRAY.

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Niu – who scooped an Oscar nomination for his 2010 youth gang movie ‘Monga’ – and stars from the film rocked up to ‘One Love’ to check out a performance from Taiwanese singer Yoga Lin, who sung the film’s background soundtrack music, while DJ’s Cookie and Angus Wong later delivered energetic sets spun out amid a cinematic setting featuring studio cameras and movie screens.

Touted as the Taiwanese take on ‘Love Actually’, Niu’s latest movie is an urban romance set in Taipei and Beijing following the interconnected love lives of Ethan Ruan, Shu Qi, Vicki Zhao, Eddie Peng, Ivy Chen, Amber Kuo and the director, who also stars in the film.

W Taipei gets its close-up via Ruan, cast as an in-room dining W Taipei talent who falls for a wealthy socialite played by Shu Qi, who checks into a Fantastic suite as a VIP guest with minted beau Mark Chao. Chao, who plays bad boy businessman Na Ma Ke in the movie, says, “W Taipei provided a most amazing environment for shooting our movie ‘Love’. Not only is it fun and relaxing but also the interior design is simply stunning. I guess that’s why the director and art director chose to shoot here.”

01 POOLSIDE POSES W TAIPEI ‘ONE LOVE’ PARTY GUESTS DOZE NIU AND SHU QI ARRIVE 02 IN A SPIN DJ COOKIE DELIVERS A HOT SOUNDTRACK 03 STAR QUALITY YOGA LIN TAKES TO THE MIC 04 MAGICAL MIXES DJ ANGUS WONG WAS ON THE DECKS AT THE PARTY 05 BORN LIPPY THE MOST GLAM CHOCS EVER?

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A Q+A WITH DOZE NIU, DIRECTOR OF THE MOVIE, ‘LOVE’, WHICH WAS PARTIALLY SHOT INSIDE W TAIPEI

Q: Why did you chose to film inside W Taipei?

A: W Taipei is a comfortable, friendly and fashionable hotel, and it’s become something of a city landmark since it opened last year.

02 01 GOLDEN LINE-UP THE CAST, DIRECTOR AND W TAIPEI GM CARY GRAY GATHER FOR A PHOTO 02 STAR QUALITY W TAIPEI’S BAMBO AND ETHAN RUAN 03 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! ETHAN RUAN WITH ASHLEY HANSEN AND MICKEY HUANG 04 LOVE SCENE A STILL FROM THE MOVIE

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Q: What were you favorite moments filming at W Taipei?

A: The crew occupied a lot of space in the hotel when shooting, and it must have been a big challenge to take care of both the in-house guests and us at the same time, but W Taipei talents made it happen. When shooting, we normally came either very early in the morning or very late at night with more than 50 people but they were always so professional and patient. Their pastry chef, Ponytail, prepared a very delicate dessert with my name written in chocolate sauce. He came in and told me that he loves my previous movie, ‘Monga’ and wanted to express his respect. I was very flattered.

Q: W Taipei GM Cary Gray was in the movie.

How did that come about and what did you like about his performance?

A: Cary is a very interesting character and I found him quite photogenic so invited him to one of the party scenes with a lot of local celebrities at bar at WET. He is quite natural and relaxed in the movie, and at one point, he showed off a huge W logo in his hands, and it was actually quite fun. The party became more real with his attendance.

LOOKING FOR LOVE: SHU QI, MARK CHAO AND DOZE NIU

Q: What do you like about W Taipei?

A: I love design, and the design, display and details in W Taipei wows me. I found that there are a lot of things in the hotel that I would love to have, and some I already have. I think we have the same taste.

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Q: The movie was released on Valentine’s Day – how do you feel about it now?

A: I learned that my work achieved what I wanted it to from those who watched the preview – I wanted the audience to cry and laugh with the movie characters, and they did. We’ve received very positive reviews, so all the hard work has paid off.

Q: ‘Love’ has been selected for the Berlin Film Festival.

Do you think this could be one of your biggest movies to date?

A: I’m very proud that the movie was selected for the Berlin Film Festival. This is the second time my work has received such an an accolade – my previous movie, ‘Monga’ was selected as the Taiwanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2011.

Monga was a movie about youth gangs while this film is talking about modern romance and the nature of love, a topic that’s both simple and complex.

Q: Do you have plans to film at W Taipei again or any other collaborations with the hotel that you can tell us about?

A: If W is not afraid of another hassle, of course!

Just kidding! If there’s any good topic that fits in with the hotel, then of course I will choose W again!

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