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Sneak Preview: W Retreat & Spa Bali

by Susi, 28 August 2008

I blogged last week about W Retreat & Spa Bali, which is a major work in progress on the site of the old Intan Hotel in Seminyak, slated to open September 2009. Starwood Group’s W Hotels division has been very tight-lipped about the whole project, as I mentioned previously. W’s online info on the Bali property and their press materials have been scanty to the point of secrecy. The architects say, “3d images and walk-thru animations for the restaurants are nearing completion. Sorry, no sneak previews.”

Well, here’s a sneak preview of the place from me. The interior shots are from a mockup of a typical unit, and the CAD images are from the original proposed concept (which has most likely undergone a process of evolution over the past year). 

I knew the old Intan Hotel well, because I used to live very close to it, and would ride my mountainbike there almost every day to use their gym (cheap membership), swim in the pools, play tennis, and get a massage.

I explored the vast  grounds and desperately dated and decrepit corridors by bike, and couldn’t help but think that with its location and the amount of structurally sound concrete buildings on site, it would be a peachy candidate for a radical restyle.

Glad it’s happening, and under the umbrella of a stylish brand like W. 

Although the mockup villa doesn’t reveal much in terms of overall design.

And the glowing feature wall on the mockup makes me think of giraffe skin.

And the rampant tendency of tropical hospitality designers to cover a multitude of sins with parallel satay sticks seems to be chronic, based on the image above.

Never mind. These sneak preview images are certainly a long way from the finished product, which I expect to be absolutely splendid.

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