Even if you never heard the popular saying about “chilling where the beach is at,” you know great resort design when you see it. It’s the kind of vibe that makes you want to drop whatever you’re doing and hop on the next plane to get to that space, relax and enjoy the sun and sand.
That’s exactly what Marion Philpotts-Miller set out to create when she got owner Jonathan McManus’ commission to renovate a former Japanese members’ club into the 72-key Hotel Wailea. The Maui, Hawaii, resort needed to blend local influences and indulgent luxury into a beachy cocktail of elegant, inviting styling that’s not without a playful side (check out the hotel logo on the back of a Jeep).
Each of the one-bedroom suites sports a variety of locally inspired elements. Coral and limestone on the walls set the stage for a uniquely Hawaiian look. Ohia cabinetry and artwork by local surfer and artist Pete Cabrinha and oversized lanais accent that statement.
“Today’s refined luxury consumer desires privacy and relaxation above all, a challenging commodity to find in a 300-room beachfront resort,” McManus said. “Hotel Wailea delivers on the promise of effortless island luxury — a very private escape where guests experience a high degree of attentive but relaxed service — putting Hotel Wailea among an extraordinary set of high-caliber hotels. We strive for guests to remember our staff instead of a hotel brand; it’s by design that our staff is the Hotel Wailea brand.”
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