A Hotel Blocks From Waikiki Beach Blends Old and New Hawaii

The bright colors and bold graphics of vintage Hawaiian design are perhaps as recognizable as Waikiki Beach itself, but it's not easy to keep this throwback aesthetic cool rather than kitsch. Thankfully, when the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club decided to open inside a 1960s-era building just blocks from the Big Island's most famous shore, the Vanguard Theory helped to create a palette that tapped midcentury style for modern tastes. For instance, "concrete interiors were refreshed with local, reclaimed wood, and feature work by some of Hawaii's most notable artisans," Casea Collins-Wright, the getaway's hospitality director, said. Those artisans and their creations, like custom wallpaper by Andrew Mau and Nico Made, or hand-painted typography by Matt Tapia and Jeff Gress, give the hotel a personalized touch that makes each space feel of-the-moment, while photos of classic Hawaiian landscapes and restored fabrics harken back to a golden era. It's a confident mix of old and new, and the result is a look that respects storied history and the trends of the present.