Starwood Hotels has expanded its Latin American portfolio with the opening of the 119-bedroom W Punta de Mita in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Owned by Fideicomiso Los Veneros, the new hotel is part of the multi-use oceanfront development Los Veneros.

Designed by ASET/AOMA in collaboration with Oakland, California-based design firm Mister Important Design and Starwood’s in-house design team, the concept is inspired by the local bohemian surf culture found on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

The hotel aims to convey a sense of colourful Mexico, including the blues of the bay and the coast surrounding Puerto Vallarta; traditional patterns of the Huichol people, who are indigenous to Nayarit; images of traditional Mexican celebration; and the amalgamation of Spanish and indigenous cultures.

When designing the property, careful measures were put in place to ensure that the natural surroundings, including ancient fig trees and natural springs, were not disturbed. Many of the natural features are showcased throughout the hotel’s design, such as the reuse of spring water in the reflection pools and within the hotel’s 4,000sq ft (372sq m) Away Spa.

The spa has been specially designed to feel like a forest cave. Centered in the room is a hanging chandelier of glass flowers in the colours of a Mexican sunset. A relaxation deck features intricate cutouts in the wood to accommodate the roots of surrounding guardian fig trees, and each of the five treatment rooms incorporate water into the design, with beds strategically placed over glass cutouts in the floor to overlook a fish pond.

Therapy Pools beside a natural spring offer hydrotherapy, cold mist, hydro jets, pressure showers and waterfalls with varied temperatures.

Elsewhere in the hotel, a nine-foot Huichol statue stands in a reflection pool, along with a fleet of colourful Tuk Tuks with artwork customised by Revolucion Del Sueno, a Sayulita-based design studio. Mexican folk art, wrestling masks, historical figures with surfboards, mariachi instruments, candy skulls and local sayings all play a part in the design. The property also features three locally-inspired murals by Mexican graffiti artist Nacho Bernal.