- 
Polishing the Gold Crown
by Joanna Barker
Nestled on the Sandy Beaches of Kihei on the West Coast of Maui, Hawaii is the Maui Schooner Resort. This vacation ownership resort consists of 58 units in one, two, and three bedroom configurations. Partially renovated in 1989, the Maui Schooner was long overdue for a major face-lift. While the units were architecturally interesting and spacious, they were burdened with a dated nautical theme.
Enter Creative Design Concepts, a Simi Valley, California-based architecture and design firm specializing in the resort and vacation ownership industries. Their goal: restore the Maui Schooner to its former glory and maintain its RCI Gold Crown and Interval International Five-Star ratings.
The design concept was to introduce a contemporary Hawaiian theme to give the units a sense of location that was lacking with the older "schooner" scheme. CDC's goal was to remove the units' dim, aged appearance and create an interior aesthetic that was bright and airy with a definitive sense of Hawaiiana. The units were large and the budgets somewhat modest, so they needed to make some difficult decisions on what to refurbish. CDC opted to keep the existing white tile flooring, pale gray wall covering and white washed shutters, which were in good condition. These neutral colors were used as a backdrop for more expressive Hawaiian colors and patterns. The budget dollars were then applied to the areas where they would have the most impact.
The living and dining area give the visitor that enduring first impression, so the designers focused a great deal of their attention there. They started with a beautiful, subtly sophisticated tropical tapestry which was applied to the sofa sleepers as the feature fabric, then added a valance over the shutters for a soft touch of color and texture. The intrusive TV stands were replaced with a custom wood armoire. The whimsical design and colorful inset woven panels are far more pleasing, and add a note of general cheerfulness to the room. The armoire is practical as well, as it serves for guest storage, holds the electronics, and is the perfect setting for the bronze whale sculpture on top. Simple yet elegant white washed occasional tables combined with the rattan and glass dining arrangement and scenic artwork helped to complete the effect. The rooms are left with a gentle, welcoming ambiance and stylish appearance, belying their age.
The bedrooms, which receive less daylight than the living rooms, called for bright tropical patterns on the coverlets accented with coordinating wall borders. Light, crackle finished armoires and nightstands replaced the older, heavy looking case goods.
CDC upgraded the bed in the second bedroom from queen size to king size, and in some instances, due to space restrictions, placed graceful rattan and glass night tables adjacent to the beds, keeping the look open and airy. Interesting design elements such as the graceful lines and carved details of the case goods juxtaposed with vivid hues and tropical patterns create the impression of paradise found.
Poor lighting throughout the suites was a major problem that required remedying. For instance, the previous dining lighting was plugged into a wall socket and then swagged over the table. Designers quickly removed that clutter and added low voltage track lighting at the dining area. It was configured in such a way as to light the table, as well as highlight the Eileen Seitz artwork and the bronze sculpture on the armoire. Basic solutions were employed elsewhere: in the bedrooms we added reading and desk lamps and simply specified sockets to hold increased wattage in all lamps.
The Maui Schooner Resort was completely sold out, but was in danger of losing their high ratings, and therefore their exchangeability, due to the poor quality of their interiors. After Creative Design Concepts completed their work there, they were pleased to learn that both board members and owners were happy with the renovation along with the news that Maui Schooner has been given Gold Crown status by RCI, and the prestigious Five Star Award from Interval International since the refurbishment.
The Maui Schooner property is a managed by Trading Places.