Design : W Verbier
One of the glass atria connecting the hotel ’ s four main buildings features a giant showpiece staircase with benches where guests can relax and enjoy stunning mountain views by day .
At night the atrium ’ s giant staircase is illuminated in deep red light to create an intimate mood . The area also includes a red tunnel entrance — a reference to the Swiss railway system — to destination bar Carve .
Russia and the Middle East . He adds that while skiing is an obvious attraction , the hotel aims to be a year-round destination , with the conference market and Verbier ’ s festivals boosting business during the shoulder and off-peak seasons .
The hotel ’ s average rate last December immediately following its debut was above CHF900 ( US $ 994 ), according to Bovsovers , with the forecasted average rate for the first year at least CHF500 ( US $ 552 ). He adds early occupancy exceeded expectations , but concedes , “ Considering we are a new hotel , we are aiming at having an average of 50 % occupancy for 2014 overall .”
Bovsovers ’ hope for W Verbier ’ s lasting impression on guests , however , is far less measured . “ When visiting W Verbier , we want our guests to feel like they are stepping out of their ordinary world and into the extraordinary ,” he says .
openinG date :
Guestrooms :
123 in addition to 15 W-branded residences
Location :
Verbier , Switzerland , next to the main gondola offering immediate access to nearby ski slopes
GeneraL manaGer :
Pierre-Henri Bovsovers
owner :
Les Trois Rocs , Verbier , Switzerland
Lead architect :
Architecture Stephane et Vincent Luisier SA in collaboration with Fima Architecture SA , both based in Verbier , Switzerland
By law , the architecture of W Verbier ’ s four main buildings needed to follow the traditional Swiss chalet style .
Lead interior desiGner :
Concrete Architectural Associates , Amsterdam
desiGn aesthetic :
Contemporary traditional , glamorous simplicity
notabLe amenities :
Restaurant Arola , which includes both the sharing-platesfocused Arola and Eat-Hola tapas bar ; destination bar Carve ; an 800-sq-m ( 8,611-sq-ft ) Away Spa featuring nine treatment rooms ; indoor-outdoor Wet pool deck
www . hotelsmag . com March 2014 HOTELS 29