Santa Cruz, California, -June 6, 2016- Considered one of Santa Cruz's premier destination resorts, the AAA Four Diamond Chaminade Resort & Spa has completed an extensive $7.9 million room remodel. General Manager Kevin Herbst made the announcement.
The historic, Mission-style property completely transformed all 156 guest rooms, suites, bathrooms and corridors featuring a more modern, eclectic, bohemian style reflective of Santa Cruz's artisan community. Many of the design elements were inspired by the city's railroad industry, vintage technology and pay homage to Santa Cruz's historical past and vibrant arts and culture scene. CBT Hospitality Design out of Boston, was the interior design firm on the project. The project commenced in November 2015.
Vintage themed accessories and accents showcase the new guestroom interiors including life-sized abacus headboards and mini-bar cabinets that resemble antique refrigerators. Family favorite vintage games were playfully embellished into the design concept including oversized dominoes that represent the room numbers and giant crossword puzzles artfully painted throughout the corridors. Further influenced by Santa Cruz's historic tanning industry, bedside tables in the guest rooms are actual woven drums from a local tannery. Accent walls painted in a deep red reflect the color of the tannery building and oversized, soft leather chairs provide comfortable guest seating.
Open concept closets and shelving now offer flexible storage options and more floor space. New drapes, accent mirrors, floor lamps, pendant lighting and spacious lounge areas were added, in addition to Samsung 55" flat panel TV's, multiple plug-in units for mobile devices and high speed internet access. All guest room bathrooms were fully remodeled featuring walk-in showers, sleek open-style vanities, new lighting, fixtures and wood-look tile flooring.
One of the most noteworthy and mindful elements that were added to select guestrooms are tranquil meditation alcoves for those guests who routinely practice meditation, mindfulness and well-being when traveling. Herbst says many of the resort's business and leisure guests seek out mindful programs or amenities whether traveling for business or pleasure. "One of the main reasons we incorporated meditation alcoves into select rooms is to allow our guests to maintain their daily meditation rituals and practices. The meditation mats were carefully selected for the alcoves and are inspired by traditional Japanese Zabuton cushions which are commonly used in Zen meditation."
Each meditation nook features a Zafu and Zabuton cushion where guests sit on the smaller Zafu cushion that is filled with buckwheat and provides proper support, while the Zabuton cushions the knees and ankles. The meditation alcoves are situated by windows or sliding glass doors offering picturesque outdoor views of towering eucalyptus trees and the resort's natural landscape. Soothing glow lighting above the headboards was also incorporated in addition to flameless candles for relaxing and reflective meditation.
