(Currently Closed) W Retreat & Spa, Vieques, Puerto Rico [Master Thread]
Oct 26, 2016, 5:16 pm
The plat breakfast is really hit or miss with W...
Nov 1, 2016, 12:27 pm
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island
Route 200 Km 3.2 Vieques, PR 00765-9800
W Vieques - Excellence (0 Photo)
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island
Really an excellent property - a costly one, but worth it.
After a harrowing 20 minute flight in a storm from SJU in a 6 seater, we landed at VQS where they have a W branded lounge with drinks, snacks, and a lovely attendant. The property is just a few minutes away by Jeep. The Jeep took us right to check in where they loaded our bags onto a golf cart while we made arrangements. I had gotten a suite-night award upgrade to a magnificent suite - just beautiful - that overlooked the ocean as was placed in a corner of the property near the adult's only "plunge" pool. Many employees shared it's their favorite room.
The property is gorgeous and impeccably kept. The staff is friendly, always smiling, and courteous. Jeep rental and other island activities can be booked right there, and we ended up going on a Bio Bay tour and an afternoon-long guided tour/hike of the island - I'd recommend them both! The spa is beautiful and we enjoyed an amazing outdoor shower and massage. The property has two beaches which, though rather small, are calm and picturesque. The pools are understated but lovely and the service and restaurants are excellent.
The only negatives are the cost (this is a pricey property - even for what you get) and the mosquitos (which - honestly - there's not much to be done about).
I'd go back again and again - truly a great experience. Also, Vieques is still unspoiled and the W is the biggest (only?) resort on the island. It may be the last island in the Carribean that is still all jungle, wild horses, fruit trees, no stop lights ... It's a true getaway in every sense of the word.
Nov 28, 2016, 10:59 am
Jan 15, 2017, 8:26 am
May 6, 2017, 10:59 am
What's the best, most efficient and cost effective way to get here when flying in from CONUS?
Jun 21, 2017, 10:25 pm
Last edited by yosithezet; Jun 27, 2017 at 9:15 am Reason: Fixed markup
Jul 3, 2017, 9:28 am
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island
Route 200 Km 3.2 Vieques, PR 00765-9800
Great Hotel, Not up to par with other W Retreats (0 Photo)
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island
Recently ahd a 3 day stay here at the W Retreat and Spa Vieques. All in all the stay was nice wioth a few mishaps but I am happy that I took the prop plane from San Juna Isla Grande to Vieques. I chose to fly from Isla Grandes as teh round trip flight was half the price as it was if flying from San Juan International.
Check In
Check-in went smooth and I got a wonderful partial ocean view upgrade that was a huge suite.
Room
I am not sure if it was a Wow suite or what exactly but it was a 1.5 bath and included a bar, seaprate dining area, living room, a huge bedroom as well as a patio since I was on the first floor. We didn't spend much time in the room but when we were there it was very comfortable and secluded. We were close to the adults only pool.
Service
Service is where some things fell apart. We did many things around the island, rented a golf cart, did the Bio Bay tour and rented scooters another day. We also spent a few hours one day at the on site spa. This started coming apart with miscommunication from the concierge. She had stated that all transportation was included in teh price of teh Bio Bay tour whihc was great since I never have cash with me and refuse to use ATMs that charge me a fee. After teh tour, we returned to the hotel and driver of the van was very demandning that I owe him $20 for teh ride to and from for my girlfriend an
Dining
Sorce was the restaurant on site and we ate here 2 times for dinner. They had great local dishes as well as a good selection of american and other international food. The local Mofongo with Shrimp was great as was the Mofongo with Churrasco. We also ahd the Cajun lobster which was prepared wonderfully.
The living room here was also nice, it was indoor / outdoor and was a great place to sit during the afternoon showers. They also had great local drinks here.
Location
Location was out of the way but perfect. Not easy to get to since there are no flights here from the US mainland. The 25 minutes flight from either SJU or Isla Grande was quick but if you havent been in a small 6 seat prop plane it might be a little anxiety indicing for you.
Overall
I would definately return here to stay at the resort and possibly rent a Jeep or another golf cart. I will stay away from the 'taxi' drivers on the island as they are agressive and everyone (the concierge and them) are not on the same page as to what is included in pricing. The resort itself is beautiful but definately a different experience from the W Retreat and Spa Koh Samui.
Jul 9, 2017, 11:21 am
Overall I would definately return here to stay at the resort and possibly rent a Jeep or another golf cart. I will stay away from the 'taxi' drivers on the island as they are agressive and everyone (the concierge and them) are not on the same page as to what is included in pricing. The resort itself is beautiful but definitely a different experience from the W Retreat and Spa Koh Samui.
Forgive me, but it sounds like you had a very nice stay here...with excellent service except for the one simple service miss with the transport cost for the one excursion. Did I miss anything else?
I think most of us would be quite pleased with a 3 night stay that involved only a single service miscue. It's even possible the taxi driver was at fault here and not the concierge?
You also mention that it's a different experience when compared with Koh Samui. Could you elaborate? One would expect Puerto Rico to have a different experience from Thailand, after all.
My husband attended a conference here a year or so ago...and was very impressed with this property. That surprised me, since he isn't particularly a big fan of W, otherwise. Like you, he'd return gladly. Like you, he found food/beverage to be quite impressive--surprising in such a remote location. Like you, he very much enjoyed the spa. Like you, he enjoyed several excursions. He also had a pretty much seamless service experience. But it sounds like your service experience here was actually pretty good but for the one transport cost misunderstanding?
Based on your review, I'm not quite sure why this property isn't up to par with other W Retreats?
Jul 10, 2017, 1:09 am
While Vieques is laid out with many rooms close to each other in blocks and mainly just rooms, Koh Samui is a Villa only property and every room has a pool.
You have 2 restaurant choices in Koh Samui and only 1 in Vieques, same goes for the bar situation. (Discounting pool bars at both)
There is nothing wrong with Vieques, but I think it is completely accurate to say it is not on the same level design, service or food wise as W Koh Samui and for anyone unaware of how these things can differ it is good to draw attention to that so people can go with the correct expectations.
I should add I do like W Vieques and will return, but having been to it several times and also Koh Samui multiple times I fully get where the op is coming from.
Jul 10, 2017, 1:12 pm
Sure, the W Vieques isn't a high-end luxury resort. The rooms are a boho shabby chic, but so appropriate to the location. But, it was very nice and much more relaxing than the StR.
Jul 10, 2017, 4:34 pm
Forgive me, but it sounds like you had a very nice stay here...with excellent service except for the one simple service miss with the transport cost for the one excursion. Did I miss anything else?
I think most of us would be quite pleased with a 3 night stay that involved only a single service miscue. It's even possible the taxi driver was at fault here and not the concierge?
You also mention that it's a different experience when compared with Koh Samui. Could you elaborate? One would expect Puerto Rico to have a different experience from Thailand, after all.
My husband attended a conference here a year or so ago...and was very impressed with this property. That surprised me, since he isn't particularly a big fan of W, otherwise. Like you, he'd return gladly. Like you, he found food/beverage to be quite impressive--surprising in such a remote location. Like you, he very much enjoyed the spa. Like you, he enjoyed several excursions. He also had a pretty much seamless service experience. But it sounds like your service experience here was actually pretty good but for the one transport cost misunderstanding?
Based on your review, I'm not quite sure why this property isn't up to par with other W Retreats?
Sep 28, 2017, 7:54 am
Due to Hurricane Maria, the W Vieques is closed to new reservations. This hotel will waive cancellation fees for select dates. For assistance with reservations, please contact (800) 228-9290 or your local reservation office. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.