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Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Every project in this portfolio represents a different chapter of my hospitality journey—from boutique hotel consulting to designing guest experiences in vacation rentals. Together, they reflect more than beautiful spaces; they demonstrate thoughtful problem-solving, operational expertise, and a passion for creating memorable places for guests.

Role: Owner • Innkeeper • Hospitality Operator
Aloha Pualani Hotel Boutique marked the beginning of my hospitality career. As owner and innkeeper, I transformed this Kihei, Maui property into a successful boutique hotel, gaining invaluable experience in guest experience design, property operations, and marketing, as well as honing my skills in vacation rental design and hospitality-focused design.

Aloha Pualani began as a modest property in Kihei, Maui with tremendous potential. Through thoughtful renovations and strategic positioning focused on guest experience design, it evolved into a successful boutique hotel known for its welcoming atmosphere and island charm.
As the owner and innkeeper, I managed every aspect of the business—from renovations and reservations to marketing, operations, and daily guest care. This hands-on experience in boutique hotel consulting taught me that successful hospitality is about far more than beautiful spaces; it's about creating memorable experiences that guests never forget.
Today, those lessons continue to shape my consulting approach, helping vacation rental owners design properties that stand out while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Project Highlights
Boutique hotel consulting and operations Property transformation and repositioning
Guest experience design that fosters lasting memories
Hospitality marketing and branding
Interior styling and atmosphere enhancement
Revenue and occupancy growth
Hands-on property management
"Aloha Pualani was where I learned that hospitality is not simply providing a place to stay—it's about guest experience design that creates an experience guests will remember for years to come."
— Sherry Withers

The Challenge
The Majestic Inn acquired a separate guest house that was being reimagined to enhance the guest experience design for its visitors. The existing layout featured one large open space with two Murphy beds, a living area, and a separate kitchen. The goal was to transform the space into two comfortable guest bedrooms while retaining the kitchen and shared living area, aligning with principles of boutique hotel consulting.
With limited square footage and no bedroom closets, every furnishing needed to maximize both function and comfort, essential aspects of effective vacation rental design. The challenge was to create boutique-style accommodations that felt spacious, cohesive, and inviting while working within the existing footprint and preserving selected furnishings.

My Role
I developed the overall design direction, space plan, and furnishing concepts for the guest house renovation, focusing on boutique hotel consulting to enhance the guest experience design. My recommendations centered around maximizing functionality while creating a warm, boutique hospitality experience tailored for vacation rental design. This included rethinking the bedroom layouts, recommending lower-profile upholstered headboards instead of the existing Murphy beds, selecting compact furnishings and lighting suited for smaller spaces, and creating cohesive mood boards to guide furniture, finishes, and décor selections. Throughout the project, I balanced aesthetics, guest comfort, operational practicality, and budget considerations.

Project Status
This boutique hotel consulting project is currently in implementation. Selections are being finalized with ownership, with installation occurring in phases that enhance guest experience design. Final photography will be added upon project completion, showcasing the thoughtful vacation rental design.

The Saratoga Inn's existing front desk was tucked away from the entrance, making it difficult for arriving guests to immediately know where to check in. As part of a boutique hotel consulting initiative, the owners sought to enhance guest experience design by creating a self-service coffee station with refrigerated beverages and snacks, all while preserving the charm of this historic inn. The challenge was to improve functionality in the vacation rental design while respecting the character and architecture of the building.

Rather than simply redesigning the front desk, I focused on enhancing the entire arrival experience through my boutique hotel consulting expertise. Working closely with the ownership team, I developed a comprehensive plan that:
- Repositioned the guest's visual focus immediately upon entering, which is essential in effective guest experience design.
- Designed a more welcoming and functional front desk to improve first impressions.
- Incorporated a dedicated self-service coffee and beverage station to elevate guest convenience.
- Selected finishes and materials that complemented the inn's historic architecture, aligning with vacation rental design principles.
- Improved operational efficiency for staff while ensuring an exceptional experience for guests.

One of the things I love most about boutique hotel consulting is developing thoughtful solutions before construction begins. This project involved concept renderings, finish selections, furniture recommendations, and equipment planning, all focused on enhancing guest experience design. Additionally, I collaborated with contractors throughout the renovation process, ensuring a seamless transition into vacation rental design.

This project is currently in its final phase, with construction and finishing details underway, aligning with our boutique hotel consulting strategies. Final photography will be added upon completion. Project Highlights include: guest experience design for a seamless arrival, front desk renovation, improvements in hospitality workflow, an innovative coffee & beverage station design, careful selection of finishes and fixtures, and effective collaboration with contractors.
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