A week of paradise at the W Hotel on Vieques Island

Vieques the island is not only a home of beautiful natural attractions, it is also home to a man made one. The W Hotels chain has historically been more of a pretender to the throne of great design than being actual great design. The W Retreat and Spa on Vieques Island throws the previous thought out the window. Really all you need to say is that Patricia Urquiola did the design.  Of spanish descent but working in Milan, her design is of consequent eclecticism; the best combination of organic with modern lines and plenty of whimsy, metered by a touch of seriousness (ie the slate grey walls in the lobby).

My family and I stayed at one of the homes on the W property and were more than excited to have full access to the beautiful resort.  It is located on one of the few beach front plots where construction is allowed, has two private beaches and a very enticing infinity pool overlooking the ocean.  The airy lobby filled with soft light, ocean breezes and deep comfy sofas with lots of pillows was a very welcoming retreat after the long days of adventures around the island.  We ate lunch on their outdoor patio listening to ocean waves and eating the delicious and locally sourced cuisine of Alain Ducasse.  We also came back at night for their irresistible strawberry caipirinhas and for a wonderful birthday dinner for my mom.

I can still smell the sweet tropical scent in the lobby, it feels like just yesterday that I walked through the big wooden W doors and felt joyful and relaxed, and I can vividly remember my mom's smile and bright eyes when she saw the lobby for the first time.  It really is a special place and any others that join it on the island have some pretty extraordinary footsteps to follow.

These are some of our pictures:



Central seating area in lobby (Chaise sofa Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, side tables by Autoban).


Outdoor lounge area, which overlooks the ocean (Carnival Daybed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso).


Sling chairs by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, available at DWR.


Daybeds overlooking the beach (Patricia Urquiola for Kettal).


Back to back sofas in the outdoor lounge, great for eating lunch (Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia).


17th Century style demi-lune tables mix traditional with modern, and I love the brass wire ship!


The bar area at night.


A view through the indoor-outdoor restaurant.


The firepit looks over the ocean.


The pool and its changing lights at night.