The historic Santa Cruz, California-based Chaminade Resort & Spa is undertaking a US$7.9m (€7.5m, $5.2m) renovation, which will include the addition of meditation alcoves in select rooms.
The Mission-style property is transforming all of its 156 guestrooms to feature a more modern, eclectic, bohemian style, reflective of Santa Cruz’s artisan community, the company said.
The meditation alcoves are being incorporated for those guests who routinely practice meditation, mindfulness and wellbeing when travelling. Each nook will feature tailored meditation cushions and pillows situated by windows or sliding glass doors, offering outdoor views of eucalyptus trees and the resort’s natural landscape. Soothing glow lighting above the headboards will also be incorporated.
“Many people travel to Santa Cruz for personal or spiritual retreats, and practising mindfulness and wellbeing – whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure – is a trend that is here to stay,” said Kevin Herbst, general manager of Chaminade.
“The meditation alcoves will allow our group or leisure guests the option to maintain their daily routine of balancing peace and tranquility.”
Herbst also said the property will launch a variety of mindfulness programmes, packages and amenities throughout 2016, and “will be weaving mindfulness into the overall culture of the property.”
Boston-based CBT Hospitality Design is the interior designer on the redesign project, and found inspiration in the city’s railroad industry, vintage technology and Santa Cruz’s arts and culture scene. Given the city’s close proximity to Silicon Valley – home to some of the world’s largest high-tech corporations – the design concept also draws on the evolution of technology, originality and the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.
“We’ve created a fun and interactive guestroom design for Chaminade Resort & Spa that speaks across generations and is meant to foster creative thought and innovation among its guests,” said Jacqueline McGee, principal and director of CBT Hospitality.
“We were deeply inspired by the history and craftsmanship of Santa Cruz. The rail industry of Santa Cruz County has been instrumental in the city’s growth, sparking an influx of technological advances and ideas. This element has played a vital role in creating a local culture that the community has embraced and integrated into what is experientially Santa Cruz.”
The design uses vintage-themed accessories, abacus headboards, dark leathers and warm reds. Reclaimed wood and artwork reflect the city’s artisan culture, oversized dominoes are used as room numbers, and corridors feature bohemian-patterned carpeting. Bedside tables are woven drums from a local tannery, reflecting the city’s historic tanning industry.
Chaminade includes a 1,700sq ft (158sq m) spa that offers a ‘Green Spa Experience,’ with an aim to enhance the connection between personal and planetary wellness and featuring holistic treatments, integrating products from the ocean, fields and vineyards surrounding the property. Product houses include Eminence Organic Skincare, Jane Iredale and Epicuren.
The resort also features three miles of hiking trails, a heated outdoor pool, four tennis courts, a fitness centre with sauna and whirlpool, volleyball and badminton courts, croquet lawn and a private geo-caching course.
Situated on 300 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains with views over Monterey Bay, Chaminade is owned by LaSalle Hotel Properties. The resort’s main building was originally a high school built in 1930, and has also been a centre for training priests, a religious retreat and a conference centre.
