“Bringing W Hotel’s vibrant energy to the Algarve”
W Hotels and Cajetan Araujo, General Manager, unveil W Algarve & W Residences Algarve ahead of its highly anticipated opening this spring. The new W Escape is the first opening in Portugal for W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, “giving sunseekers and trendsetters a new reason to visit the Algarve”.
Portuguese-Indian Araujo is a seasoned General Manager and joined W Algarve with over 20 years of experience and a global reputation in luxury.
Araujo has spent over a year developing W Algarve’s design, architecture, and product to bring the Algarve to life in every facet of the hotel, and the very first W-branded residences in Europe.
Prior to joining W Algarve, Araujo was the General Manager of W Goa, with previous tenures at St Regis Hotels in Doha, Mumbai, and Miami’s Bal Harbour. “To me, the Algarve is one of the best regions on the planet, and I can’t wait to bring the W spirit to life in Portugal,” says Araujo.
“The W brand is iconic, playful and luxurious – the combination of the destination and brand is a match made in heaven.”
In addition to his professional history, Araujo is a passionate musician, painter and photographer who loves to travel for food and wine.
As GM for W Algarve, Araujo will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the final build, including recruitment, training the hotel’s talent, and managing all pre-launch activity, and the W brand’s entry into Portugal with its signature ‘Whatever Whenever’ service, along with spearheading the commercial and operating strategy.
With a dynamic team on board, Araujo commented that he was “thrilled and honoured to have the unique opportunity to connect our guests to the destination through their W experience”.
A former culinarian, restaurateur, and global hotelier, Araujo studied at Switzerland’s Ecole Les Roches, and Johnson & Wales and Cornell University in the US.
Having spent his time in Portugal exploring the land, sea, food and lifestyle, Araujo says: “I’m looking forward to showcasing the destination as an insider and bringing the locale to life as a native. The W brand is all about making sure our guests have fun in an environment of liberated luxury, where everyone can be themselves. I always say: it’s not the number of breaths, but the moments that take your breath away that truly matter. I want to ensure every one of our guests has the trip of a lifetime.”
Araujo was also drawn to W Algarve by its unique design. “I love how the design of the hotel is inspired by the destination. The guest rooms showcase the Algarve reinterpreted by W, with Atlantic colours and asymmetrical forms that mimic the nearby cliffs,” he says.
“The Extreme WOW Suite – our interpretation of a presidential suite – is reason alone to visit. It’s inspired by the Algarve, drawing on the picturesque fishing villages and unique landscape, featuring a panoramic rooftop with an infinity pool.”
In a statement sent to the press, Marriott International said: “Located on the sun-drenched shores of the southwestern coast, where jagged cliffs merge with crystal clear waters and year-round sunny climes, the 134-guest rooms hotel, 83 residences, AWAY® Spa and five new gastronomic offerings will bring the W brand’s distinctive energy to Portugal for the first time, making it the place ‘to be and be seen’.”
W Algarve officially opens its doors this spring.
For more information and to book, visit: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/faowh-w-algarve
