The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

Jada Brookes looks at some of the latest travel news from Starwood Hotel & Resorts. bitetravel W Hotels Worldwide has announced that it is planning to debut its second alpine escape in North America for the first time to accommodate the opening of the winter ski season in 2017. W Aspen, formerly the Sky Hotel, will be developed in a joint venture with Sarpa Development and the hotel’s owner, Northridge Capital. Skiers will have easy access to the hotel which is located at the base of Aspen Mountain and will enable them to ski right into the hotel for craft cocktails and more after an exhilarating day on the slopes. “As one of the most stunning and vibrant year-round resort towns in the world, Aspen is a destination that has long been on our wish-list,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader of W Hotels. “We are thrilled to bring the W lifestyle to Aspen while simultaneously reinventing the traditional notion of an alpine escape. We’re confident that combined with the brand’s unique programming and cut- ting-edge design,WAspen will appeal to locals and international travellers alike.” WAspen will be designed by award-win- ning design firm Nemaworkshop in partnership with Rowland+Broughton Architecture as well as W’s in-house design team. The 88 guestroom-hotel (including six suites) and 11 W-branded fractional residences will have an over- sized split level Living Room (the brand’s alternative to the staid hotel lobby) which will transform the traditional hotel dining scene into a modern approach to dynamic cocktails and cuisine.There will also be a 1,600 square foot outdoor patio and a 12,000 square foot rooftop bar and pool overlooking Aspen Mountain and creat- ing the ultimate experience après-ski and warm-weather events. “W HotelsWorldwide has an exceptional reputation as an innovative lifestyle brand, and we are genuinely excited to partner together on Aspen’s newest gem, W Aspen,” said David Jackson, President of Northridge Capital. "We have had an incredible 15-year run withThe Sky Hotel, and believe the W brand represents the next step in the hotel’s evolution.W has truly perfected the art of mixing urban style with mountain spirit, and combined with a brand-new facility and thousands of square feet of public amenity space, W Hotels will bring a new energy to our destination, elevating the Aspen experi- ence for both residents and visitors.” On site will be a full service ski shop that will provide guests with equipment rentals and storage capabilities, while a 1,100 square foot FIT (the W brand’s modern gym concept) will aid travellers in staying in shape on and off the slopes. With more than 1,600 square feet of event and meeting space, W Aspen is sure to become the epicentre of spectac- ular events and high-energy meetings.The W brand’s signatureWhatever/Whenever service will be available 24/7, providing guests with whatever they want—from state-of-the-art ski equipment to a backcountry snowshoeing experience— whenever they want it. “We are very excited to continue growing our reach in North America with this strategic expansion of the W brand in such a key Colorado market,” said Alison Reid, SeniorVice President of North America Development for Star- wood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “We highly value our relationships with our owners, and continue to see strong interest from partners looking to lever- age Starwood's powerful brands, network, global booking platforms and loyal cus- tomer base." www.whotels.com W Hotels Worldwide Hits the Slopes with W Aspen Travel News Spring/Summer 2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts