VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO (October 2011) – W Retreat & Spa-Vieques Island, the Caribbean’s ultimate destination escape, announced today the appointment of Jennifer Findlay as Spa Director for AWAY® Spa. Located eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico, W Vieques redefines the concept of a destination spa with enhanced programming and a new website to provide guests advance access to service details and booking information.

Findlay brings more than 10 years of expertise in spa and holistic health to W Vieques, as well as an extensive background in leisure services as a personal coach, trainer, yoga teacher, and kinesiologist. She joins the team from her native Toronto, where she was a founding partner of 889 Yonge, an eco-conscious wellness and yoga community aimed at providing all aspects of holistic medicine and related practices.
 
While in Toronto, Findlay also provided services for high-profile players in Canada’s National Hockey League as well as consulted for large corporations such as Pepsi, through her other holistic-focused practice, Core Essence Development. She worked closely with these groups to create structured programs that extended beyond traditional fitness goals. Findlay was also recruited to create spa and wellness programs for a range of international hotels and resorts, including the Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa in Belize and The Standard Hotel Miami. Through Core Essence Development, she oversaw each aspect of the programs she developed, from conceptualization to on-site execution.
 
Findlay first launched into the tourism and hospitality industry at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Bermuda. During her three-year tenure, she functioned as the activities coordinator and fitness specialist. She also provided resort guests and the local community with health and wellness services before returning to Toronto to launch both 899 Yonge and Core Essence Development.
 
At W Vieques, Findlay plans to expand the property’s current spa related offerings and create a more retreat-like destination. Drawing on inspiration from the island’s natural resources, she will infuse local ingredients and the natural elements into treatments, build yoga and meditation components into daily Retreat activities, and develop additional outdoor programming.
 
Findlay studied Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto, graduating with a degree in Kinesiology and Health Psychology.
 
W Vieques also aims to further enhance the guest experience via a new dedicated spa website, AWAYSpaVieques.com. Through the site, guests will be able to pre-plan visits with detailed information about treatments, packages, products and booking details.

About W Retreat & Spa-Vieques Island
W Retreat & Spa-Vieques Island opened its doors on March 25, 2010 as the first W Retreat & Spa in North America. Located eight miles off the Southeast coast of Puerto Rico on the peaceful and untouched island of Vieques, the Retreat & Spa features 157 stylish guest rooms and suites, all with private patios and balconies, providing unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel offers a mix of serenity and natural beauty, inviting guests to escape to an untainted paradise that blends soft adventure with soothing relaxation. A Caribbean wonderland blessed with two private palm-lined beaches, the property flaunts waterfront leisure spots such as Living Room, Fire Pit, Lawn and Paradise Edge; four scrumptious dining options from highly acclaimed chef, Alain Ducasse and the beachfront seafood grill, La Pescadora; an AWAY spa for ultimate revitalization and relaxation; and a contemporary seaside sanctuary full of natural wonders and pure indulgence. W Vieques is an undiscovered oasis created by an innovative team of designers including lead designer, Patricia Urquiola, of Milan based Studio Urquiola, renowned design firm, Rockwell Group Europe who collaborated with Patricia Urquiola on the spa and public spaces and architectural firms, Sierra Cardona Ferrer and EDSA. For more information, please visit www.WVieques.com.

About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 40 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 50 hotels by the end of 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Bali, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations.  For more information, visit www.whotels.com.