W insider 2016-07

W Goa

W Singapore – Sentosa Cove

What’s your escape Plan?

With a superlative spot on vivacious Vagator Beach, W Goa is the latest sultry addition to our chic resorts in Asia-Pacific. Encircled by dramatic red cliffs and celebrated for its electrifying sunsets over the Arabian Sea, this exotic spot on India’s west coast combines Hindu history with Portuguese culture for some funky heritage, while the flea market and full moon parties soundtracked by Goan trance at nearby Anjuna Beach are world famous. At W Goa, light, bright and airy villa bedrooms are suffused with Indian spirit, while the beachfacing ROCK POOL is the ultimate hangout on this former hippy trail.

W Goa is not just a place, it’s a state of mind.

W Bali – Seminyak

W Koh Samui

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Goa State of Mind

India’s most exotic getaway, W Goa is a tropical paradise surrounded by striking red cliffs and the sparkling Arabian Sea, an electrifying backdrop from which to switch off and recharge.

Scintillatingly set on one of India’s most striking beaches, Vagator, W’s latest addition exudes exuberant resort living with adrenalin-fuelled watersports and poolside socialising to reinvigorate your spirit and indulgent pampering at the Spa by Clarins to fuel your glow.

Touch base with Goa’s Portuguese colonial past with a hike up Vagator’s iconic black rocks to the 500-year old Chapora Fort. Other must-dos? Set sail on a dolphin-spotting cruise and score

tickets to world-renowned trance parties from our well-connected W Insider.

Steeped in dance culture, W Goa guests can their groove on at Vagator, where bars play to a trance-loving crowd.

Goa’s party central also hosts Asia’s largest music festival, Sunburn, and electro-dance fest Supersonic.

Goa’s dining scene is a mouthwatering melting pot of local and global bites, and don’t-miss spots include La Plage for French-Medterranean fare, Vinayak Bar

for fish thali and Bomras for high end Burmese cuisine that’s best savored on its secluded shady terrace.

Those looking to indulge in some one-of-a-kind retail therapy can shop for classy resortwear at Sacha Mendes, while Nana Ki is the place to head for Indian-inspred threads and accessories.At W Goa, you’ll never miss single unexpectedly thrilling, pleasant surprising moment that makes up what we call a “Goa State of Mind.”

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A swimwear collection inSpired by W Resorts

W Hotels x We are handsome

W Resorts Asia Pacific has collaborated with Australian designer swimwear label We Are Handsome to create an electrifying capsule collection inspired by its sultry tropical settings. Comprising a scoop swimsuit that oozes contemporary resort glamour and a pair of board shorts, the design incorporates electrifying elements surrounding the four W Resorts in Asia Pacific: W Maldives, W Koh Samui, W Bali – Seminyak and the soon-to-open W Goa. The limited edition print’s chief design element is a Chrysaora jellyfish juxtaposed against a starry night sky with overlying glow in the dark elements borrowed from the recent “Let it Glow” restyling of W Maldives.

The collection encapsulates the energy that ebbs and flows through the resorts when the sun sets, the stars come out and nature starts to glow, say We Are Handsome founders Katinka and Jeremy Somers, who stayed at W Resorts in Bali, Koh Samui and the Maldives to seek inspiration for the collection.

The backdrop for the capsule collection photoshoot, which features former Australia’s Next Top Model winner Amanda Ware and up-and-coming Korean model Byeon Woo Seok, was the modern paradise vibe of W Maldives. This hip aqua collection is now available via W The Store at all W Resorts in Asia Pacific.

Seeking inspiration at W Maldives

Beats of paradise The tech-savvy equivalent of scribbling lyrics on a cocktail napkin, the first-ever W Sound Suite has made its sonic debut in Bali, a creative hub that shares the same spirit as Ibiza. The private music studio and writer’s room at W Bali – Seminyak is the place for professional recording artists, producers and hotel guests to record in style while on the road.

By creating a program that gives Indonesian artists free studio time on a monthly basis, the space has embraced the local music scene.

The stylishly sound-proof suite features a lounge big enough for a proper entourage and a mixing room stocked with professional equipment from industry favorites Native

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Instruments, Pioneer and Moog, plus a vocal booth overlooking a tropical garden.

To celebrate the launch, W Bali is hosting a new content series in collaboration with upcoming artists called “Sounding Off With…” where monthly video vignettes will capture podcast-style conversations to provide a rare glimpse into the life of a touring artist.

LA-based electronic indie duo Classixx will kick off the series and throughout the year, W Bali plans to bring together hot musical talent from around the world to produce exclusive mixes, premiere new tracks and deliver intimate in-studio performances that will be available via The Angle (theangle.

sound suite

whotels.com), an online magazine celebrating life with a W slant.

Sound Suite guests can kick back and indulge in cocktails and bites from the everso-cheeky “Rider Menu” inspired by iconic music personas, including The Diva (Lanson Brut Champagne, Lobster Salad with Osetra Caviar & lemonade), The Hip Hop Classic (Ciroc Ultra-Premium, Cranberry, Wagyu Beef Sliders & Truffle Fries) and The Jazz Hands (Coca-Cola Bombay Mocktail & Iberico Jamons).W hotel guests who book the W Sound Suite can turn their sonic imaginings into reality with a private master class from W Bali’s Music Curator Damian Saint.

SLEEP. EAT. RECORD. REPEAT.

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W Koh Samui

Detox, Retox, Repeat The Energy to LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, GO LONGER, STAY LATER

Fuel your workout W beijing

Designed to supercharge existing routines and regimes so guests have the energy to look good, feel good, go longer and stay later, FUEL delivers revamped FIT spaces where guests can master the latest fitness craze so working out never feels like a chore.

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W bangkok

Fuel your body

W beijing

Lighter, fresher cuisine including healthy midnight munchies and guilt-free morning after snacks mean you can indulge and feel good about it. Make Your Own Smoothie and Avocado Breakfast food trucks inject a bang on trend, fun element to food.

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W Koh Samui

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W Koh Samui

Fuel your glow Mini feel-good treatments by the pool in pop up spa tents and quick fix beauty treatments like blow outs and spray tans in beauty pods help guests hit pause and recharge so they are always ready for what’s next.

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WED YOUR WAY

W Resorts in Asia Pacific has debuted a bespoke destination wedding program, WED YOUR WAY, that encompasses the brand’s signature style, with music curators and a social media concierge available to nail every last celebratory detail. Available at the most swoonsome W Resorts – W Bali – Seminyak, W Koh Samui and W Maldives – couples can abandon the expected, amplify every celebratory moment and say “I do” against the region’s most brilliant backdrops. A new approach to nuptials, brides and grooms can opt for all or

any of four programs, the first being Set The Stage, the ultimate stag night or hen do with a W Insider transforming staid tradition into an electrifying send-off. With the second progam and main event, VOWS WITH A VIEW, beat-loving brides and grooms can abandon the bridal march and cheesy chart music for a happening wedding soundtrack produced in collaboration with a W Music Curator as they tie the knot. W Insiders are on hand to arrange personalised wedding favors, while W’s whatever/whenever philosophy ensures the happy couple can

get their happily ever after. When the ceremony’s a wrap, the party gets started with THE BEAT GOES ON at WOOBAR, where sumptuous late night W Bites soak up the champers and W’s signature cocktails.

Wedding revelers can fight that morning after feeling with special hangover kits or couples can arrange a celebratory hangover brunch to keep guests buzzing the next day.

Wondering where to honeymoon? Let the W Insider arrange a spectacular suite, tailored itinerary and even a private helicopter transfer with OVER THE MOON.

The Taipei exchange W Taipei partnered with The WW Club, a platform that unites and inspires women working in creative industries, and multimedia travel publication Suitcase to connect working women globally via The Taipei Exchange this May. During the East-meets West cultural exchange, five female entrepreneurs from the US and UK exchanged perspectives with Taiwanese creatives and embarked on a five-day high energy itinerary that showcased the best of Taiwanese culture.

The talents from Taiwan included Wina Chen, W Taipei’s Director of Operational Excellence, and Florence Lu, Editor-in-Chief of Elle Taiwan. Their overseas counterparts included Phoebe Lovatt, Founder of The WW Club and and Alice Levine, TV and radio presenter for the BBC. The cross-cultural get-together incorporated an exclusive city tour by W Taipei Insider Sally Pan and individual itineraries dedicated to design, beauty, and food. The exchange concluded with a panel event open to the public that zoomed in on two topics: “Women who Travel” and “Women in the Workplace”. The exchange culminated with an exclusive gala dinner featuring a contemporary Cantonese menu at W Taipei’s YEN Chinese restaurant.

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the House on sathorn The House on Sathorn at W Bangkok is the Thai capital’s latest culinary experience destination, where artisanal Asian-inspired cuisine and cocktails collide with exceptional art and performance. Inside the 127-year old colonial mansion, signature restaurant The Dining Room is the spot to linger over dinner, and a new tasting menu takes diners on a journey inspired by chef Fatik Tutak’s Asian culinary highlights. The Bar is Bangkok’s newest hangout for after-work cocktails, while elsewhere in this happening spot, The Courtyard is the place for al fresco dining and electrifying nights amplified by live music performances.

Exclusive club lounge upstairs offers hospitality suites and private function spaces for intimate dinners and meetings, the most decadent of which is The Conservatory.

W Fashion week W Guangzhou remixed fashion, music, design and fuel and delivered a sneak peek into what’s new/next at the first W FASHION WEEK. The VIP event featured a Fashion Week Launch Runway show at WOOBAR and Fashion Display at WET BAR, where it showcased the latest from up-and- coming design brands 080 Group, Haze Collection, K-Store, Vasto Fvsion, Goelia and ESMOD.

La Cantina

LET iT GLOW

Tacos and tequila were on the menu this March in Koh Samui at the La Cantina pop-up, a Mexican restaurant and bar from W Retreat Koh Samui.

Helmed by chef Jaime F. Rojas Lopez, authentic bites and sips delivered South American flavor to The Wharf in Fisherman’s Village where the pop-up was held. Originally from Mexico, Lopez is executive chef at La Moda and has cooked in Michelinstarred kitchens for Alain Ducasse in Paris and Oscar Calleja in Cantabria.

Award-winning glow in the dark artist Tom Bacher electrified W Maldives this May with a residency that showcased his luminous approach to painting. Taking inspiration from the Indian Ocean’s vibrant marine life, starry night skies and phosphorescent plankton, his residency incorprated glowing cockails with nibbles, a ‘Let it Glow’ group painting class, private in-room classes for guests as well as a showcase of his previous works in the resort’s art gallery.

TRaCklist Mr Has, Asia-Pacific Music Director // Prince – Scandalous DJ Gio, W Seoul // Javier Gonzalez, Sascha Sonido – Panamericana (Mar-T Remix)

KOREan beats

DJ Orawan , W Bangkok // Applebottom – Resolute

W Seoul – Walkerhill teamed up with music TV channel MNET to pilot the first-ever DJ tournament show in Korea, ‘Headliner.’

Fusing techno, hip hop and house, DJ KINGMK beat ten other DJs to take the title. The deckmaster celebrated his success in style at an exclusive aftershow event at WOOBAR, W Seoul alongside the other finalists.

DJ Arun, W Hong Kong // Faze Action Venus & Mars

DJ Damian Saint, W Bali // Miss Kittin, The Martinez Brothers Stuff In The Trunk feat.

Miss Kittin (Original Mix) DJ Armando W Koh Samui // Baldo - The Change (Jacques Renault remix)

style buzz W Seoul – Walkerhill showcased the latest in cuttingedge fashion and music to Korea’s cool set at Style Icon Asia (SIA) 2016, the region’s only style festival.

The event encompassed the unveiling of a limited edition capsule swimwear collection designed by Australian swimwear label, We Are Handsome, for W Retreats in Asia Pacific.

W Seoul also introduced local trendsetters to the hotel’s cocktail culture at the SIA x W Café & Bar, a pop-up that featured beats from W Seoul’s in-house Music Curator Gio Vanhoutte.

DJ Max W Beijing // The Black 80s For the Rest

DJ Chun Chun Tan, W Taipei // Pogo x Pogo Romance

Marc // Youngr – Out of My System

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