W Hotels Worldwide is planning to open W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya, located within an exclusive beachfront community surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mayan Rivera’s lush lagoons and pristine mangroves.

Nestled on the eastern coast of Mexico’s magnificent Yucatan Peninsula, the 180-room Retreat is being designed by acclaimed architect Richard Meier. Owned by ALHEL and GIM Desarrollos, W Kanai will be the centerpiece of the Kanai Resort, which will include four hotels and a Beach Club.

“We are excited to further expand W’s exclusive retreat portfolio with W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya, another fantastic location for the global jetsetters to escape and play when the hustle and bustle of the city gets to be too much,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “W Kanai will offer guests a new way to escape, amidst innovative design and programming, on the coast of one of the world’s most scenic beaches.”

“The signing of W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya is another sign of Starwood’s commitment to developing its brands in great destinations such as Mexico,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Latin America. “We are delighted to be working with ALHEL and GIM Desarrollos on this new project, and we look forward to developing a long-term, successful partnership with them.”

Designed by renowned architecture firm Richard Meier & Partners Architects, W Kanai will appear to float on a carpet of mangroves set against the infinite horizon of sea and sky. Buildings and landscape will flow into one another, as meandering gardens and courtyards, sinuous pools and waterworks intersect with brilliant terraces and foot paths, seamlessly connecting the Retreat’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Guestrooms, designed by the New York-based firm Meyer Davis Studio, will have unobstructed views of the sea. Designed as continuous living areas, interior spaces will merge with an exterior deck furnished with lounge seating, cocktail bar, exterior tub and shower. The decks will be enclosed by retractable privacy screens and sun shading louvers.

“We are absolutely delighted that this development will carry the W name, an iconic design-led lifestyle brand. This exciting project is part of a multi-property development of four hotels and 600 rooms built on a 135 acre- site with more than a mile of secluded beach,“said Abraham Metta and Fredy Helfon partners and developers of ALHEL and GIM Desarrollos. “Designed by legendary architect, Richard Meier, we knew that this landmark site presented the perfect opportunity to create one of the best W Retreats in the world.”

Only six miles from Playa del Carmen and 24 miles from Cancun International Airport, guests will be able to choose from the Retreat’s extraordinary line up of lifestyle programming, water sports, and wellness activities, including W’s signature Away Spa, offering a detox from a long, playful night out or a refuel for whatever comes next. Boasting more than 10,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor treatment space, Away Spa will feature a range of treatments incorporating local Mexican influences in an unexpected cool and playful way. W Kanai will feature W’s signature Whatever/Whenever(R) service philosophy, providing guests and residences with whatever they want whenever they want it (as long as it’s legal!).

W Retreat & Spa Kanai - Riviera Maya will serve as an ideal island venue for weddings, special events, and innovative meetings. Featuring 7,500 square feet of event space overall, the Retreat’s Great Room (W’s take on the traditional Ballroom) will be 3,000 square feet and wired with the latest in meetings technology.