Your hotel is the gateway to something bigger

What do you love most about the industry, and what continues to inspire and motivate you to stay in hospitality?

What has always drawn me to hospitality is its unique ability to create meaningful human connections. At its core, our industry is about caring for people, including anticipating needs, creating moments of delight and helping guests reconnect with what matters most to them. That’s a powerful responsibility and one that never becomes routine.

Hospitality is also one of the most dynamic industries in the world. Consumer expectations are constantly evolving, which challenges us to continuously innovate while remaining deeply rooted in service. I find tremendous inspiration in creating environments where guests can discover something new, whether that’s a destination, an experience or even a different perspective on themselves. What motivates me most is the opportunity to help shape experiences that become lasting memories. Travel has the power to inspire, restore and bring people together, and it’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside talented teams who share that purpose every day.

Today’s travelers are looking for much more than a place to sleep. How have you and your team reimagined programming at Chaminade Resort & Spa to serve the needs of different guest segments?

The modern traveler is increasingly seeking transformation rather than simply accommodation. Guests want experiences that are authentic, memorable and connected to a sense of place. That shift has fundamentally influenced how we think about programming at Chaminade.

Our greatest asset is our setting with 300 acres of forested hillside overlooking Monterey Bay. Rather than competing with urban destinations, we've embraced what makes our environment unique. We’ve developed immersive experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and engage more intentionally with their surroundings. That includes offerings such as guided forest therapy walks, wellness-focused programming, outdoor fitness experiences, educational beekeeping experiences and a curated calendar of special events that range from culinary experiences and cocktail workshops to live music and seasonal outdoor gatherings. 

We also continue to invest in the experiences guests have come to love, including our spa, pickleball and tennis facilities, poolside experiences, hiking trails and outdoor recreation. What's particularly interesting is our proximity to Silicon Valley. Many of our guests live and work in highly connected, high-performance environments. They're looking for a destination that offers both restoration and inspiration. Our role is to create a space where guests can disconnect from the demands of daily life while reconnecting with themselves, their families, colleagues and the natural world.

How do you balance creating on-property experiences with encouraging guests to explore the surrounding destination?

We see Chaminade Resort & Spa and Santa Cruz as complementary parts of the same experience. Our goal isn't to keep guests on property; it's to help them experience the very best of the region. That philosophy is reflected throughout the resort. We partner with local farmers, artisans, wellness providers, musicians and makers to bring the character of Santa Cruz into the guest experience. Whether through our culinary program, spa offerings, live entertainment or educational experiences, guests are constantly engaging with the people and culture that make this destination special. 

At the same time, we recognize that Santa Cruz is one of California’s most diverse coastal destinations. Within minutes, guests can access beaches, vibrant downtown Santa Cruz, charming Capitola Village by the Sea, wineries, sailing excursions, paddleboarding, surfing and countless outdoor adventures. We help curate those experiences and remove friction from the planning process so guests can spend more time enjoying the destination and less time organizing logistics.

How do you balance creating on-property experiences with encouraging guests to explore the surrounding destination?

We see Chaminade Resort & Spa and Santa Cruz as complementary parts of the same experience. Our goal isn't to keep guests on property; it's to help them experience the very best of the region. That philosophy is reflected throughout the resort. We partner with local farmers, artisans, wellness providers, musicians and makers to bring the character of Santa Cruz into the guest experience. Whether through our culinary program, spa offerings, live entertainment or educational experiences, guests are constantly engaging with the people and culture that make this destination special. 

At the same time, we recognize that Santa Cruz is one of California's most diverse coastal destinations. Within minutes, guests can access beaches, vibrant downtown Santa Cruz, charming Capitola Village by the Sea, wineries, sailing excursions, paddleboarding, surfing, and countless outdoor adventures. We help curate those experiences and remove friction from the planning process so guests can spend more time enjoying the destination and less time organizing logistics.

How do you incorporate destination-specific elements into the guest experience, and why is it important that visitors leave with a deeper connection to Santa Cruz and the natural environment?

I think we’re witnessing a broader cultural shift. People are increasingly seeking experiences that feel authentic, restorative and connected to something larger than themselves. Nature provides that in a way few other environments can. Scientific research continues to reinforce what many people intuitively understand—that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve focus and enhance overall wellbeing. Destinations that can facilitate those benefits in a meaningful way are becoming increasingly valuable. 

For us, destination stewardship is an important part of the guest experience. We want visitors to leave relaxed and rejuvenated, [and] with a deeper understanding of the natural beauty, biodiversity and community that make Santa Cruz unique.

Take Chaminade’s Forest Therapy offering as one example. A professional guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, escorts guests through not just a walk in the woods, but instead a journey of intention and contemplation. Participants are encouraged to slow down, notice the sights, sounds, scents, textures and rhythms of the forest, and cultivate a deeper connection with nature—truly embracing the Japanese concept of Shinrin-yoku and making it personal. When a guest returns home with a stronger connection to the environment and a greater appreciation for the destination, the experience becomes much more memorable and much more meaningful.

(Image courtesy Julie Jimenez Ramey)