W insider - 2014/11

I N S I D E R

SHINE ON

W HOTELS’ SPARKLING WINTER HOTSPOTS ARE WHERE SMART TRAVELLERS ESCAPE TO WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD IS SHIVERING AND SNEEZING. W RETREATS IN KOH SAMUI, BALI AND THE MALDIVES OUTSHINE OTHERS WITH THEIR UNIQUE BLEND OF TRANQUIL LOCATIONS OFFERING BLISSFUL SPA TREATMENTS AND CUTTING-EDGE FITNESS PROGRAMS ALL IN A CHIC STYLE. THE RECENT RESTYLING OF W MALDIVES RETREAT WAS INSPIRED BY THE ABUNDANCE OF SURROUNDING NATURE FOR ITS THEME TITLED LET IT GLOW. BORROWING FROM THE INDIAN OCEAN’S VIVID MARINE LIFE AND THE TWINKLING STARS OF THE CLEAR NIGHT SKY, THE RETREAT UNVEILED A SENSORY EXPERIENCE WITH ITS BEACH OASIS INTERIOR DESIGN, WHILE THE OCEAN OASIS DESIGN MIMICS THE ENERGY OF THE SEA LIFE. FOODIES CAN EXPERIENCE THE CULINARYDELIGHTS OF THREE VENUES, INCLUDING FISH, THE OUTDOOR RESTAURANT THAT FOCUSES ON FRESH, LOCAL INGREDIENTS. ALSO THIS YEAR, W HOTELS LAUNCHED THE W FIT WITH TARA STILES RETREAT PACKAGE WORLDWIDE, WHICH INCLUDED W BALI IN SEPTEMBER WHERE 200 YOGA ENTHUSIASTS SALUTED THE SUNSET ON THE BEACH. THE NEXT ONE TAKES PLACE IN W MALDIVES THIS MONTH. GO ON, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!

W RETREAT KOH SAMUI

W RETREAT & SPA - MALDIVES

W RETREAT & SPA BALI – SEMINYAK

ROCK THE EMPIRE W HOTELS CHINA CAUSED A SENSATION WHEN IT OPENED ITS DOORS IN BEIJING TO REVEAL A VIBRANT VIBE AND A FOCUS ON DESIGN, FASHION, MUSIC AND 24/7 SERVICE Hip, happening and with a hint of history. That’s the dazzling new W BEIJING CHANG’AN, which opened its doors last month. Fusing the old with the new, the fabulous and funky hotel features the best of cuttingedge designs inspired by the grandeur of the city’s past.

Located on Chang’an Avenue moments from the distinguished diplomatic center and iconic landmarks such as the FORBIDDEN CITY and TIANANMAN SQUARE, and modern monoliths like the CCTV tower, W BEIJING CHANG’AN enhances the neighborhood’s dynamic metropolitan vibe. The focus of the hotel is on design, fashion, music, 24/7 service and insider access.

Captivated by the shapes of the city’s celebrated monuments, award-winning global architects RTKL and Hong Kong-based interior design firm AB CONCEPTS have created an original and eye-catching interior for W BEIJING CHANG’AN . The hotel’s public rooms incorporate spectacular installations, vibrant colors, dynamic textures and bold lighting, such as the W lounge, which has an “imperial” ceiling design in round and square patterns, a LED-lit catwalk in the middle of the room that leads to a circular bar and an awesome

DJ booth hanging from the ceiling. A secret space shaped like a birdcage is tucked away behind the bar, while the other side of the room houses the cube, a light-filled space inspired by the iconic WATER CUBE. The lounge’s informative Whatever/Whenever desk speaks for itself.

In YEN, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, local history is once more the key, while the X25 chill-out lounge at the top of the hotel offers stunning views over the old city wall and is where DJs mix original beats and mixologists create bespoke drinks. The unveiling of the new 349-room W BEIJING CHANG’AN followed China’s biggest and most prestigious design event, BEIJING DESIGN WEEK (BJDW).

Around 1,000 talents from the global design and architectural community attended the BJDW launch party and experienced an exclusive preview of W Beijing Chang’an through a five-meter-tall glass cube.The cube also hosted a press after-party. In collaboration, the hotel and BJDW presented ‘2014 W Beijing Chang’an Rising Designer’, an award that recognizes outstanding young talent, and which was this year won by Chi Zhang, a Beijing-born, Milan-trained fashion designer famous for his cutting-edge gas mask designs.

AT W BEIJING CHANG’AN BOOK YOUR PACKAGE AND RECEIVE A CNY 600 HOTEL CREDIT USE YOUR CREDIT AT OUR BARS AND RESTAURANTS OR ENJOY A RECOVERY TREATMENT AT OUR AWAY SPA T (86) 10 6515 8855 WHOTELS.COM/BEIJING

#HEATWAVE

W GUANGZHOU

W HONG KONG TEAMED UP WITH W RETREAT & SPA – MALDIVES AND ABSOLUT VODKA FOR POOLSIDE REVELRY UNDER THE STARS.

W HONG KONG

It was a long, scorching summer and W HONG KONG ignited the spark with its sizzling pool parties – HEAT WAVE. Plunging head first into the highly anticipated summer series, W Hong Kong teamed up with the exotic W Retreat & Spa – Maldives for the first splash out in June when it gave away a free trip to the Maldives to one lucky partygoer.

Sponsored by ABSOLUT VODKA, the five-poolside extravaganzas from June to August at W Hong Kong’s iconic rooftop pool WET – 76 floors up – were the highlight of the season. Guests needed little encouragement to get their groove on at the city’s highest outdoor pool where they strutted their stuff under the stars and above a stunning panoramic harbor view. Sexy summer white was the theme brought to Hong Kong by W RETREAT & SPA – MALDIVES, which added the white beach elements to W HONG KONG with the addition of white hammocks, palm trees and dancers dressed in white. The revelry continued at the after-party in the clouds at the WOOBAR, the hotspot for fashion and music, where the entire team of W Hong Kong’s resident DJs, Kenji Hidaka, Andrew Hendley and Parvenu mixed it up on the decks.

THE RESIDENCES AT W SINGAPORE SENTOSA COVE

W SINGAPORE

W RESIDENCES VIBRANT. WELCOMING. EXCLUSIVE

ATLANTA – DOWNTOWN AUSTIN BALI BOSTON DALLAS

FORT LAUDERDALE GUANGZHOU HOBOKEN HOLLYWOOD KOH SAMUI LONDON NEW YORK – DOWNTOWN SANTIAGO SCOTTSDALE THERE ARE 17 W RESIDENCES IN VIBRANT CITIES AND EXOTIC DESTINATIONS OFFERING HOMEOWNERS THE ULTIMATE IN HOTEL SERVICES AND AMENITIES. JOIN THE FEW THAT ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO CALL W THEIR HOME. HTTP://WWW.WRESIDENCES.COM/

SINGAPORE SOUTH BEACH TEL AVIV VERBIER

INSIDER ACCESS

PING PONG BAR

Hello and a wonderful welcome to the world of W! That’s the greeting guests receive in my welcome letter from W HONG KONG. They can also download the W INSIDER GUIDE and connect with me that way.

W Insiders are the first point of contact guests have with W Hotels and we have an amazing shared network in which we exchange wow! moments as well as guests’ unique preferances and special arrangements. We’re dedicated to elevating guests’ experience with personal recommendations and insights. We dig deep behind the glamorous postcard images and explore off-the-beaten track places. I’ve never felt like it’s a job, it’s natural for me to be curious and I’m happiest when I can share my discoveries with others. What do I enjoy most about being a W INSIDER? When I’m able to create that special moment for people. We have guests who travel to all our properties and they are often surprised to find W Insiders greet them with the same familiar friendliness that makes them feel at home.

The city may change, but the welcome is the same.

EDITUS

CHARLIE’S TOP SPOTS

MOUTAIN HIKE GETWAY

CHARLIE W HONG KONG

SALLY W SEOUL

The former POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS (PMQ) is a historic building that’s now a quirky, creative hub with designer boutiques. MAN CHEUNG PO at Tai O, Lantau Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind. It has breathtaking views, waterfalls and a natural infinity pool. PING PONG 129 GINTONERIA is a former warehouse that has been transformed into a bar serving exquisite gin-based cocktails. Visit THE ED1TUS SHOWROOM for sophisticated designs .

PMQ

CHUNKY W RETREAT & SPA – MALDIVES

CARA W SINGAPORE

JOYCE HSU W TAIPEI

MIO W BANGKOK

AMANDA ZHENG W GUANGZHOU

ZITA W RETREAT KOH SAMUI

RIKA W BALI

DINO W BALI

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POSE IN PARADISE W RETREAT & SPA BALI SEMINYAK HOSTS THE FIRST YOGA SESSION ON THE BEACH AT SUNSET AS PART OF THE W FIT RETREAT PACKAGE WORLDWIDE

More than 200 yoga enthusiasts gathered on the beach at W RETREAT BALI on Saturday September 13 to enjoy an evening of fun and fitness with celebrated expert TARA STILES. The sunset and the ocean at the Saturday night class were the perfect backdrop for movements such as the sun salutation yoga sequence, for which DJ Josep and his band from Barcelona provided gorgeous live beats. A well-earned cocktail party followed the class. Tara Stiles is the founder and owner of STRALA YOGA, the high-energy movement system that is said to ignite freedom, and her nonpurist take on yoga offers a refreshing alternative to traditional practice. The fitness guru said everybody at her W RETREAT BALi yoga sessions had an amazing time “Being at W Bali is absolutely fabulous.

The scenery is beautiful, everybody is always smiling – it’s warm, friendly and lush …everywhere you look is super inspiring and gorgeous.” This was a first-time event for the retreat and was part of the third exclusive W FIT WITH TARA STILES retreat Package Worldwide, which saw guests kick-start each day with a sunrise Strala Yoga session in various Balinese beauty spots.

Organic menus, devised by Stiles to suit a hectic lifestyle, were part of the package.

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DUBFIRE AT SPF 2014

MISS KITTIN AT SPF 2014

SIP. PLAY. FLIRT. You know it’s the hottest party of the year when you’ve got the best bangin’ beats at a sizzling retreat like W Bali. Just as well there was plenty of SPF – that’s SIP. PLAY, FLIRT 2014 – on a steamy July night of glamour and grooves at WOOBAR. When headliner DJ DUBFIRE stepped up to the decks to pound out his signature house and techno, the crowd erupted.

The American – one-half of the Grammy Award-winning duo DEEP DISH – delivered the mix of dark, pulsating techno and syncopated tech house that has earned him the reputation as the “DJ’s DJ”. As if that wasn’t enough, the up4it crowd was also treated to a sultry set by sassy French DJ Caroline Herve aka Miss Kittin, the electro-clash pioneer and mistress of monotone. Topped off with a firework display on the shoreline of Seminyak beach, eager partygoers lapped up the fun until the early hours.

SUNSET VIBE

HEATWAVE CLOSING PARTY FT. DEFECTED

There was a fantastic vibe at W RETREAT & SPA BALI – SEMINYAK on the night of the HEAT WAVE closing party in September. Not surprising, given that the legendary DJ SIMON DUNMORE OF DEFECTED delivered a cracking set.

The successful house label ended its South East Asia tour in Bali and closed W’s summer series with the maestro taking to the decks alongside Australian star SONNY FODERA. The duo’s carefully curated and flawlessly mixed house beats set the scene at Woobar against the backdrop of a magical Balinese sunset. It was the perfect end to a season of packed out parties.

IMS – IBIZA 2014

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SUMMIT - ASIA PACIFIC W SINGAPORE SENTOSA COVE will play host to one of the most exciting music events of the year this month when the IBIZA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SUMMIT (IMS) presented by legendary DJ Pete Tong, rocks up on the shores of Sentosa Cove. Nine hours of fun will kick off at midday on Thursday December 11, the day before ZOUKOUT, Asia’s biggest dance festival. IMS is a celebration of electronic music and a platform for those involved in the creation of the genre and its future success. The aim is to educate, inspire and motivate while creating awareness of, and appreciation for, electronic music and all related art forms worldwide. It’s where the best minds on the scene create new apps, exclusive remixes, and music technology trials. The event also showcases opportunities for breakthrough artists and record labels. IMS ASIA-PACIFIC 2014 has been timed to coincide with the annual ZOUKOUT so that many artists and industry players, who are expected to be present at both events, will also have an opportunity to gather together and discuss topics relevant to the region. It’s a big deal for the industry and the region, and it’s also a top excuse to party. The closing event and celebrations will take place at W Bali Retreat & Spa Seminyak on Sunday December 14.

W GUANGZHOU WET BAR

ACTRESS MS. GAO YUAN YUAN

MARRY ME

MR. VIC ZHOU, MS. MIRIAM YEUNG, MR. LOUIS KOO

W GUANGZHOU has played a starring role in a box office hit by a top director. Hong Kong’s Johnnie To filmed part of his romantic comedy DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2 on location in the city and W Guangzhou featured in some of the scenes. It couldn’t have been more apt as W GUANGZHOU is a perfect wedding and reception venue in a romantic location. There was much excitement among onlookers as the stars and film crew converged on the stunningly designed luxury hotel. Leading actor, LOUIS KOO caused a stir as he scaled the outside of a building as a stunt for his role, surprising the people inside. The funny and engaging film is a sequel to the popular 2011 original is about two lovers who find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other despite being engaged to other people. The star cast includes Louis Koo, Gao Yuanyuan and DANIEL WU, as well as Miriam Yeung and Vic Chou. The story DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2 went on general release last month.

FOOD RE-DESIGN A dish of light bulbs might not seem like the most delicious dinner, but it’s the kind of feast participants in W Taipei’s latest project might well cook up. W TAIPEI and TAIWAN DESIGN CENTER (TDC) launched the FOOD RE-DESIGN TDC X W TAIPEI project in July, headed by the hotel’s executive chef Colin Chun with a team of experts including Dutch designer Annelies Hermsen – who has created edible lightbulbs – as well as nine Taiwanese designers. Over four months the designers have been using W Taipei’s The Kitchen Table restaurant as their workshop and stage to showcase their creations. The main focus of the project is to combine culinary art and design aesthetics on the theme of LIGHT/ HEALTHY FOOD, with designers putting forward new proposals for products such as utensils, space and dining styles. The results of the project will be unveiled this month and there will be a fabulous finale at the end of the year.

FOOD REDESIGN EATABLE LIGHT BULB, CHERRY BY SPENCER HUNG

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W DOES BRUNCH

W DOES BRUNCH Food and fashion were served at THE KITCHEN TABLE W BANGKOK this summer. Guests partaking of leisurely late breakfasts were presented with the chance to meet newly discovered designers and view their creative collections as part of the W DOES BRUNCH concept. On the first Saturday of each month, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, culinary delights prepared with top quality ingredients were presented to diners. They included dishes such as foie gras and black truffle terrine, king crabs’ legs, queen scallops and roasted beef rib-eye, washed down with fresh juices or cocktails and accompanied by chill-out tunes from the DJs.

WOW NAILS It was excitement and adventure all the way when W RETREAT KOH SAMUI and London’s edgiest nail art brand got together this summer. WAH NAILS took on the challenge of creating two exclusive designs using off-the-beaten track locations in BANGKOK and KOH SAMUI as inspiration. By way of W HOTELS’ INSIDER EXPERIENCE, Sharmadean Reid, founder of the Wah Nails, explored a side of Thailand that can’t be found in the guidebooks. From emerging Thai fashion designers and innovative art exhibitions to in-the-know nights on the town, Sharmadean used her customised Insider Experience to create the EAST MEETS W-EST nail art designs, each reflecting the hottest trends in both iconic Thai destinations.

CELEBRITY MODELS AT W LOUNGE FOR TAIPEI IN STYLE

SHARMADEAN REID

TAIPEI IN STYLE W TAIPEI teamed up with Taiwan’s top fashion event for the second year running to highlight more than 200 brands in a stunning four-day showcase in November. Taipei In Style is Taiwan’s official fashion event, which has been supported by the TAIWAN TEXTILE FOUNDATION since 2006. It includes a wide range of occasions such as fashion shows, trunk shows, seminars and business-matching meetings, all geared towards further boosting Taiwan’s powerful presence in the region’s fashion arena. During the course of the four days, an amazing 13 runway shows were presented, featuring original work by senior designers and up-and-coming local talents. There was also an exhibition section that included around 200 fashion brands, which was open to international buyers, the media and the public on different days. This event was another feather in the very stylish cap of W HOTELS, which has created a global platform to help rising fashion stars shine.

LET IT GLOW A renowned fashion designer paid tribute to the natural beauty of the Maldives with a stylish collection that included colours and shapes inspired by the island nation’s glorious aquatic life, vibrant coral reef and white sand beaches. In collaboration with W Retreat & Spa – Maldives, TAHIR SULTAN unveiled his latest creations at the DUBAI FASHION FORWARD catwalk show last month, which was set to the sound of music curated by Michaelangelo L’Acqua, global music director of the W Hotels. The show unveiled Sultan’s next spring/summer collection, which was inspired by his visit, as well as revealing the unique wardrobe soon to be worn by the fashion-forward staff of W Maldives. Tagged INFINITE DAYS & INFINITE NIGHTS, the collection represented work and fun, and borrowed from nature’s colour palette incorporating shades of turquoise, amethyst, electric blue and aqua into the designs, while prints and embellishments referenced fish scales, pearls, coral and reefs. During his time at W RETREAT & SPA – MALDIVES, Sultan met with staff in all departments in order to create practical pieces suitable for the tropical environment.

Sultan’s collection is available at W The Store at W Maldives and in luxury retailers around the Gulf and India from this month.

CUTTING EDGE

W RETREAT & SPA MALDIVES AND TAHIR SULTAN MAKE A SPLASH AT THE DUBAI FASHION FORWARD CATWALK SHOW

W SEOUL hosted two glamorous events this year.

The first took place in October when guests enjoyed a stylish dinner buffet while being shown what’s new in fashion, design and music. The GOURMET COUTURE event was created in collaboration with designer KATHLEEN KYE and W Seoul’s Chef Jonathan who produced some awesome culinary creations. Then, last month, around 300 celebrities, VIPs, fashionistas and industry experts turned out to support the design stars of the future in The CUTTING EDGE FASHION show.

The collaboration with top magazine, CECI, included a panel of editors from leading Korean magazines, who chose two emerging Korean designers to show their work. KWON MUNSOO and YOON CHOONHO, showcased their 2015 S/S collections in WOOBAR as W DJ Lab’s Gio and Wendy spun the tunes. Ceci magazine has been championing new design talent for more than 40 years.

CUTTING EDGE FASHION AT W SEOUL

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