Luxury Hotelier - November 2007 - (Page 40)

40| Inspire Water from heaven F ifteen years after its 1992 opening, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui launched a massive $125-million transformation. When the resort reopens in January, among the changes will be an expanded spa with private outdoor showers. Julia Laue, vice president of San Francisco-based Julia Laue SB Architects (www.sb-architects.com), is in charge of the hotel renovation and the spa’s redesign. Q Tell us about the new spa. A “Waihua”— the name of the spa—refers to water that falls from heaven and rests on native plants, such as taro. So we’ll have taro planter beds creating privacy buffers around the outdoor Jacuzzi. To reinforce the flowing-water theme, we developed an entry experience down a grand hallway and through curvilinear halls and past a water wall. Q Describe the outdoor showers. A Outdoor showers are immediately adjacent to individual treatment rooms in secluded, garden-like patios, surrounded by seven-foot walls. Light and air filter through a patterned lattice trellis above. This pattern design is carried throughout with bamboo-pole-walls, water walls, wood elements and teak flooring. Q What was the greatest design challenge? A With the fitness center above and the Terrace Restaurant to the east, privacy was a challenge. We solved this through acoustical flooring, planter walls/beds and solid walls. –M.H. RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA Cool cabanas at the cove P oolside cabanas convey a certain mystique. They offer exclusivity and privacy that a towel-covered chaise lounge just can’t match. But The Cove Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, takes the concept to a new level. Interior architect Jeffrey Beers (www.jeffreybeers.com) redesigned the teak-louvered cabanas at Cain—the Cove’s exclusive adults-only pool club with outdoor gaming tables— to include indoor glass-tiled bathrooms with pedestal sinks, full-height mirrors and accent down lighting. Private outdoor showers are hidden behind teak screens. “The showers provide the practical amenity of being able to rinse off after the beach, pool or sunbathing, and they also create another layer of ease and exclusivity,” Mr. Beers says. “Pool clubs expand their appeal through a sense of style and allure, and The Cove caters to guests who seek sophisticated, urbane experiences. Outdoor showers continue the amenity package to the most relaxed area of the resort, the pool area, where privacy is offered in tandem with the communal spirit of the pool environment.” –M.H. THE COVE ATLANTIS Luxury Hotelier | November 2007 | www.LuxuryHotelier.com http://www.sb-architects.com http://www.jeffreybeers.com http://www.LuxuryHotelier.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Luxury Hotelier - November 2007

Luxury Hotelier - November 2007 Contents Editor's Letter Publisher's Letter Inform: News and Notes Network: People Personalities: Traditional Innovator Insight: Smith Travel Research / The Bench Insight: Ypartnership Properties: A Front-Row Seat to Moscow Properties: Northern Star Inspire: Outdoor Showers Deliver: Wellness and Fitness Protocols: The Real Deal Insight: Cornell University Innovate: In-Room Technology Development: Global Project Pipeline Indulge: Coffee and Tea Insight: Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne Connect: Regional Marketing Update: IH/M&RS Luxury Product Collection Dossier: Davide Bertilaccio of The Rocco Forte Collection’s Le Richemond

Luxury Hotelier - November 2007

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