W Hotels Worldwide announced today plans for the first W Hotel in the Caribbean, W Vieques - Martineau Bay, located on the largely undiscovered island of Vieques. Scheduled to open in Fall of 2006, the W Vieques - Martineau Bay will have 156 guest rooms and villas, two restaurants including one pool-side cafe, an 8,000 square foot spa and a 3,000 square foot bar. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., W’s parent company, signed an agreement with Reig Capital Puerto Rico, Inc., which owns the 42 acre beachfront site. The property will be managed by W Hotels.The island of Vieques, located eight miles off the coast Puerto Rico, is a 55 square mile island with pristine white sand beaches and aquamarine views of the Caribbean Sea. The island, which until now has managed to fly below the radar of the more fashionable crowds, is slowly becoming a destination for the same kind of global trendsetters that discovered St. Bart’s twenty years ago.

“The W Vieques will serve as a sanctuary to those who want to surround themselves with an aesthetic sense that is both modern and comfortable, while at the same time, part of the incredible natural setting,” said Ross Klein, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for W Hotels.

“The hotel will pay homage to the peaceful and welcoming nature of the island with a style and service that reflects it.”

The plantation-style resort will feature 20 luxurious private villas along the hillside of the property with access to W’s 24 hour concierge service, in- room dining and other signature amenities. There will also be an extensive fitness facility, two tennis courts and an entertainment salon with billiards, backgammon and other games on property.

Taking full advantage of the island’s extraordinary outdoor surroundings, the W Vieques will offer its guests an adventurous assortment of activities including island excursions by land and boat, kayaking, scuba diving and eco tours through the Bioluminescent Bay, Vieques’ most prized natural wonder. The hotel will also have a unique wellness element with a focus on healthy dining, exercise and spa therapy.

“The presence of the W Vieques - Martineau Bay will further establish Vieques as the crowned jewel of the Caribbean,” said Jaime Lopez, project manager for Reig Capital Puerto Rico, Inc. “As the single luxury resort on the island with amenities found only in world’s leading hotels, the W will play a key role in the island’s renaissance.”

The developers have chosen Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, named by House Beautiful as one of America’s Most Brilliant Decorators for seven consecutive years, to design the W Vieques - Martineau Bay. Noriega-Ortiz’s works include residences for media mogul Michael Fuchs and recording artist Lenny Kravitz and the redesign of the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
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