W Hotels Worldwide has officially opened its 45th hotel and first ski retreat, W Verbier, as the hotel company celebrates its 15th anniversary this month. On track to reach more than 60 hotels by 2017, W Verbier and the Residences mark the group’s entrance into Switzerland.

“The lasting impact W Hotels has made on the hotel industry cannot be overstated,” says Frits van Paasschen, CEO and president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. “Over the past 15 years, W has turned the staid hospitality landscape on its head, and demonstrated that a hotel is more than a place to check in and check out as it continues to reinvent the category it created with each new hotel opening around the world.”
With the spirit of Spain’s Ibiza set on ice, W Verbier is located at the base of the mountain in the Medran area of Verbier, a multi-component luxury development project. W Verbier offers 123 rooms across four adjacent characteristic chalets on the Place Blanche. The Residences at W Verbier15 W-branded, full-service residences⎯⎯are located next to the hotel. 


The signature restaurant, Arola, is a collaboration with two-Michelin Star Chef Sergi Arola serving urban Spanish cuisine, and the restaurant at W Verbier features a dining and bar area.

“W is future forward in our approach, drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy and spirit of New York City,” says Paul James, global brand leader, W Hotels, St. Regis, and the Luxury Collection. “As we celebrate our 45th hotel and briefly look back on the W brand’s innovation over the past 15 years, it is clear that W defines and attracts a new generation of luxury traveler who prefers a more contemporary attitude, modern style, and personalized experiences in this new golden age of travel.”
