Creating a perfect harmony between forward thinking and indigenous ideas, W Hotel Bogota, Colombia’s entrance into the country marks the next generation of rich socio-cultural context. The convergence of current and ancestral cultures set the theatrical experience of the ‘Search for El Dorado, The City of Lost Gold’ throughout the entire hotel.
The sub-terrain porte-cochere gives way to the beginnings of the journey, greeted by a bronze and resin butterfly installation, inspired from Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. Transitioning into W’s Living Room, gold strings suspended from the ceiling at different heights, follow an organic pattern, inspired by the calla lily flower, forming seating pods with an elegant gesture. Staying true to the vivid graffiti culture, custom artwork by Vertigo Graffiti acts as the accent wall, featuring internationally famed signature of Domingo Zapata, tying in a visually harmonious ‘pop’ to the plush black leather and purple velvet surroundings, accented by the geometric patterns found in ancient Colombia.
Continuing into Chef Emiliano Rabia Cottil’s Market Restaurant, the farm-to-table kitchen is also inspired by the calla lily flower, re-imagined through a different filter. The ‘leaves’ of calla lily flower create an intimate pod for eating and conversation, allowing the restaurant’s minimal spring colors to act as a perfect backdrop. Embracing exclusivity of the popular speakeasies, the Destination Bar, that seats 60 people, is tucked away towards the back of the restaurant, allowing the ‘final celebration’ for the new El Dorado, splashing the space with a bold palette of gold, black and understated lighting effects reflecting off the tinted mirrored ceiling.
Transporting guests in a black glossy infinity mirrored elevator, each are found in a state of ‘limbo’, with a golden ribbon weaving through the corridor – giving way to a glimpse of guidance to the suites. Ranging from the Standard Rooms through the E-WOW Suite (presidential), each suite type carries through modern textile interpretations, extending the headboard to wrap the ceiling using black and white patterns, continuing the weaving of Colombian traditions. The gold accented bed floats over the water of the lake where flowers, gold dust, and precious stones were thrown into. The textured rug underneath the bed captures the moment in time, when the King is being hailed.