AC HOTEL WAILEA NOMINATED FOR A HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARD

 

The annual ceremony, hailed as the most prestigious awards for the hospitality sector, honors the greatest and most inventive design accomplishments from across the world as well as the interior design, architecture, ownership, and FF&E procurement teams that made these world-class hotel projects possible.

 
“The hotel’s FF&E selections were inspired by its ocean-view setting and with respectful recognition of the region’s deep Pacific Islander cultural heritage”
— SANDdesign

CANOE’s Tenth FF&E COLLABORATION WITH SANDdesign

From more than 800 project and 360 product submissions, the 18th annual Hospitality Design (HD) Awards, which recognize the finest in interior and FF&E design across 27 project categories and 13 product categories, have announced its 2021 hospitality finalists.

One of several FF&E procurement projects managed by Canoe Hospitality and nominated for an HD award, AC by Marriott Maui Wailea opened its doors in May 2021 and is the first property in the Hawaiian Islands for Marriott’s AC Hotels. Tucked away on three acres along Maui’s bright southwest coast, AC by Marriott Maui Wailea offers 110 bedrooms, including 12 suites, as well as an infinity-edge pool with a hot tub and cabanas. The hotel provides an exquisitely tailored experience, centered on the significant elements and amenities that improve each visitor's stay and free them up to relax and take in the island's natural beauty.

Over a two-year period, Canoe collaborated with SANDdesign to provide hospitality FF&E purchasing services and source goods that pay homage to the cultural Asian and Pacific-Islander influences of Maui's iconic resort community. Large glass panels that resembling ocean waves are lighted at the main entrance to the building were conceptualized and designed by Honolulu-based AHL. This is done to acknowledge the building's proximity to the ocean as well as the significant role that the water plays on the island. Recognizing the cultural influences of Asian and Pacific-Islander communities, the hotel features a sunken lounge surrounded by natural lava stone with tatami-styled flooring. Additionally, the assortment of hotel FF&E features a variety of tribal necklaces made from different shells, as well as woodwork, prints, and elements that have been carefully curated throughout the hotel. Finally, in commemoration of the Hawaiian custom of the presenting of lei as a gesture of aloha, Canoe Hospitality and SANDdesign worked together to source and purchase 100 strands of lei created from dried seeds, berries, and flowers that have been strung into two gorgeous tapestries that are located in the foyer of the hotel. The length of each strand varies from up to 12 feet.

FF&E furnishings, artwork, and accessories, provide a modern balance between Marriott’s brand pillars and the Owner’s and Interior Designer’s deep love and respect for Wailea and South Maui.

Canoe Hospitality was engaged to provide turnkey FF&E procurement and project management services for this new-build hotel, which is situated close to Wailea Beach and includes a stand-alone reception building, central four-story guest suite building, and infinity edge pool and poolside tiki bar “Kai”. The hotel harmoniously blends the classically Polynesian long-house post-and-beam Hale Halawai and Hale Noa with the more recently traditional Hawaiian plantation architectural style. The hotel’s interior and exterior FF&E selections were inspired by its tropical ocean-view setting and with respectful recognition of the region's deep Pacific Islander cultural heritage. The AC Hotels' archetypical brand style is beautifully mixed with non-brand-standard FF&E furnishings, artwork, and accessories, providing a modern balance between Marriott’s brand pillars and the Owner’s and Interior Designer’s deep love and respect for Wailea and South Maui.

AC Kitchen and KAI are two of the many eating options that are available to guests of the modern and cozy AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea. Both may be enjoyed outside. AC Kitchen is a restaurant that offers its visitors a fusion of worldwide and Hawaiian-inspired food, as well as wine, charcuterie, and fromage tastings, as well as locally curated delicacies for special culinary events. The restaurant is surrounded by windows that go from floor to ceiling and comfortable interior FF&E and custom light fixtures set the mood and draw the eye to the ocean on the horizon. The poolside tiki bar known as KAI, which in Hawaiian means "sea" or "seaside," features a large, rectangular lava stone firepit and beautiful, custom teak and Sunbrella-upholstered FF&E that gives a warm and inviting atmosphere to the outdoors and complements the breathtaking sunset views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands.

The refined and contemporary guestrooms have a color scheme that is based on a neutral color palette, hardwood flooring, and sleek FF&E in order to provide a stronger feeling of movement and space. In addition to standard and USB outlets strategically placed around the space, guests will appreciate convenient smart features such as ambience controls that allow for customized temperature and lighting. The rooms include FF&E provided artwork by Daniel Fine Art Services and designed by SANDdesign that is representative of Maui, and offer views of the Pacific Ocean, the islands of Lanai, Kaholawe, and Molokini, as well as Mount Haleakala. Every room will have its own lanai, giving visitors the opportunity to unwind in the fresh air that they should enjoy when staying in paradise.

The AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea is located within walking distance of a number of beaches, including Wailea, Ulua, Mkapu, and Keawakapu, as well as a number of shopping centers, including Wailea Village, Wailea Gateway, and The Shops at Wailea, which provide a total of one hundred shops and galleries. In addition, there are more than 40 restaurants and bars, world-class spas, three championship golf courses at Wailea Golf, and Wailea Tennis Club all located in the neighborhood.

Hospitality Design will announce the 18th annual Hospitality Design Awards winners on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 at Cipriani South Street in New York City.

 

Looking to learn more about Canoe’s FF&E and OS&E procurement service offerings?

 
 
Shawn Fowler