In an extraordinary partnership, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Jacki Arena Interiors (JAI), and Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) have come together to create a one-of-a-kind hotel guestroom that embodies imagination, joy, and purpose. This collaboration is about more than just design; it’s about weaving stories, emotions, and inspiration into every detail to support families facing extraordinary circumstances.
The Inspiration Behind the Project
The idea of collaborating with Give Kids The World was born from Davidson Hospitality’s connection to this remarkable nonprofit. Give Kids The World Village provides week-long, cost-free wish vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world. For one extraordinary week, families step away from the challenges of hospital visits and medical treatments. Instead, they laugh, play, and reconnect in a joyful, worry-free environment that recaptures precious moments illness may have taken away. Witnessing their mission in action deeply inspired the team at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach.
Jacki Arena Interiors (JAI), renowned for crafting designs that tell stories, became a natural partner in bringing this vision to life. Guided by their tagline, Design That Makes a Difference, JAI eagerly took on this Heart Project to create something that resonates deeply with families, sparks joy and raises awareness for GKTW’s transformative work. Together, they are designing a block of twelve whimsical guestrooms inspired by the magic of the Give Kids The World Village.
Goals of the Project
The goal of this initiative is to craft a guestroom that feels like stepping into a real-life Candy Land, a vivid and tactile experience that evokes wonder in children and nostalgia in adults.
From the moment families step inside, they will be greeted by design elements that tell a story. The room will incorporate bright colors, playful textures, and multisensory features like stars on the ceiling and interactive bunk beds. Inspired by the GKTW Village, the concept blends whimsy with practicality, creating a space that’s as magical as it is comfortable.
The collaboration also aims to raise awareness of GKTW by including design features that reflect the heart of the Village, such as the stars that light up above the bunk beds—a nod to the magical Castle of Miracles at the GKTW Village, where each of the thousands of stars lining the castle’s ceiling represents a child and their unique story.
What Makes This Guestroom Unique?
This won’t be your average hotel room. The playful, built-in bunk beds—complete with starry ceilings—serve as a centerpiece for kids, while the rest of the space balances creativity with comfort. Highlights will include:
- A cloud-like light fixture over the king-sized bed, with blue painted ceiling representing skies and dreams.
- A hot air balloon graphic inspired by the GKTW Village mascots Mayor Clayton and Miss Mary’s mode of transportation.
- A colorful area rug and upscale finishes that make the room feel cozy yet vibrant.
This space is being designed to inspire lasting memories, combining a sense of playfulness and connection for families during their stay. Additionally, a portion of the room rate will be donated to Give Kids The World, helping to make another child’s wish come true.
Insights From Volunteering at Give Kids The World Village
Jacki Arena and her 18-year-old daughter volunteered at the GKTW Village to better understand the organization’s mission and the families it serves. This experience provided invaluable insights that are shaping the hotel room design concept.
Jacki created a special activity with children at the Village, where she and her daughter invited kids to color and decorate a black-and-white image of the proposed hotel room. One child, Lilian, spent nearly an hour joyfully creating a galaxy-themed design. Her vibrant imagination and presence left a lasting impression.
Another unforgettable moment was visiting the Castle of Miracles, where the ceiling sparkles with golden stars—each representing a child who has stayed at the Village. This emotional connection to the stars has inspired the ceiling design for the bunk beds, ensuring the heart of the Village carries into every detail of the room.
A Broader Message of Collaboration and Giving Back
This initiative reflects the values of both Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach and Jacki Arena Interiors. It highlights the hospitality industry’s power to make a meaningful difference by stepping outside the box and contributing to causes that bring light into the lives of those who need it most.
For JAI, this project reinforces their belief in the power of storytelling through design. “This was a reminder that those we are making a difference for have a name, a face, and a story,” Jacki shared.
What’s Next?
The project is still in its conceptual phase, but the excitement is building for the big reveal. In the coming months, the guestroom will take its final shape, ready to delight families and raise awareness for the incredible work of Give Kids The World Village!
How You Can Support
To learn more about the Give Kids The World Village and their mission, visit Give Kids The World. Together, we can create more memorable spaces that inspire hope, joy, and connection for all who experience them!
