one of W hotels worldwide, ‘W panama‘ opened on march 1st, 2018 as the first hotel of the luxury brand in central america. located in the heart of panama city, the 203-guest room hotel is designed by studio gaia with distinct hues and textural contrasts. W panama harmonizes the city’s past and present, especially emphasizing the iconic panama canal while integrating the country’s history and colorful indigenous patterns.

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the hotel entrance is located on one of the most busiest streets of panama’s capital city

 

 

guests are welcomed to W panama on the 15th floor where you are greeted by new york and seoul based studio gaia‘s playful modern design. the hotel transforms the industrial look of shipping containers, which can be found easily along the panama canal, with an original graffiti twist by panamanian artist oscar melgar. the five shipping containers found throughout the hotel are the main destinations, where they attract the guests to mingle and enjoy. these objects are located in the hotel’s living room, wet deck, and the destination bar which is called ‘the cargo’.

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
guests are welcomed to W panama by studio gaia’s playful modern design

 

 

a total of 203 guest rooms with 32 suites offer a fantastic view of the panama bay and canal. the interior space is furnished with modern twists of handmade ‘mola’ fabrics and patterns from the guna and embera indigenous communities, together with expressive murals. the white hotel rooms are spacious enough to relax and include well-articulated modern bathrooms and dressing areas, allowing guests to get ready for their special night. also, visitors can enjoy the facilities of the hotel where you can recharge batteries at the fitness center or ease off with the luxurious treatments at the ‘away spa’. studio gaia’s W panama also offers versatile meeting rooms and event spaces large enough to host the city’s most important activities.

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
located in the heart of panama city, the hotel is designed by studio gaia with distinct hues and textural contrasts

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the five shipping containers found throughout the hotel attract the guests to mingle and enjoy

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the containers are located in the hotel’s living room, wet deck, and the destination bar which is called ‘the cargo’

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
W panama harmonizes the city’s past and present, especially emphasizing the iconic panama canal

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the hotel integrates the country’s history and colorful indigenous patterns

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
W panama also offers six versatile meeting rooms

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the hotel includes event spaces large enough to host the city’s most important activities

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
a total of 203 guest rooms with 32 suites offer a fantastic view of the panama bay and canal

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the white hotel rooms are spacious enough to relax

studio gaia designs first W hotel in central america with colorful indigenous patterns
the interior space is furnished with modern twists of handmade ‘mola’ fabrics and patterns

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom