W Mexico City (www.starwoodhotels.com) has completed a multiphase renovation that will include the debut of a restaurant, J by Jose Andres. The hotel is located in Mexico City’s Polanco neighborhood, and its renovation was led by New York-based designer Anurag Nema, inspired by a masquerade with hints of role-play and performances throughout.
The hotel’s 237 guestrooms have been redesigned with floor-to-ceiling imagery to showcase the best of Mexico City. Modern interpretations of an Aztec warrior, luchador (wrestler), conquistador, diva of the Mexican cinema and women of the Mexican Revolution are reflected in the imagery through the lens of Mexican artist Ivan Aguirre, commissioned exclusively for the hotel.
Small design touches in the rooms include lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) bottle openers in the in-room minibars, two-tiered coffee tables whose mirrored bottom reveals art reflected from the panel above and throw pillows that complement the wall art. There is also an infinity mirror installed over the bed in each guestroom with traditional Mexican crafts featuring creatures known as alebrijes as well as toys suspended in the glass to create an optical illusion.
J by Jose Andres is serving a new approach to Spanish cuisine, blending Spanish flavors with dishes found to Mexico City. Dishes include the classic Mexican torta, featuring Spanish mollete bread and Mexico’s queso fundido, made with Spanish cheeses. The restaurant’s cocktail menu includes reinterpreted Spanish classics with Mexican influences, while the wine list has selections from both countries.
A new spa concept and updated E-Wow Suite (W’s Presidential Suite) will round out the transformation later in 2016.