The adults-only Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Casino & Resort in California was recently unveiled, signaling the completion of the third phase in the resort’s redevelopment. San Diego-based IGroup Design led the latest phase of the project in collaboration with several other teams, including global firm Cuningham Group Architecture and local firm Sotelo Landscape Architects, to capture the original, rustic sensibility of the property.
“The results of our collective approach with clients, architecture, and construction partners in combination with our understanding of the industry can be felt in every detail at the Willows,” explains IGroup founder Roger Storer. This lends itself to celebrating the natural beauty of the valley, which informed much of the resort’s design.
Natural materials, such as refined and polished stone and wood elements pervade the space, while organic patterns subtly reference willow leaves throughout the resort-within-a-resort. Each area of the resort, which now includes a fitness center, salt water pool, opulent suites, and an expanded Viejas Casino, “melds functionality and artistry,” Storer continues.
Crafted with lounge-style living room finishes, all 159 suites promote relaxation via rich wood finishes, soft neutral tones, and notes of gold. The spa further perpetuates this theme with clean, white stones and blue mosaics. The hotel’s full-service spa stands out with details like a garden and outdoor treatment cabanas, which reinforce the natural world. A salt sauna, steam room, and salon round out the spa amenities.
The hotel boasts three F&B spaces, as well, including the signature concept Locale Kitchen & Lounge. Here, each space is designed with its own distinctive identity through a wide range of finishes that include an emphasis on gold metals and eclectic patterns and textures. The coffee shop Daily Roast functions as a social grab-and-go option, while Ginger Noodle Bar exudes calm and warmth with wood ceiling features and semi-transparent elements against a backdrop of abstracted Asian elements and textures.
The exterior of the Willows Spa complements the rustic California roots of the property.
The hotel’s lower lobby reflects several design motifs including refined wood details.
Defined by clean, white stones, the spa nods to the hotel’s natural surroundings.
Abundant stone and wood also adorn outdoor spaces for uniformity.
