California-based small-batch hospitality brand Casetta is known for reimagining historic spaces and turning them into modern boutique hotels that retain the building’s original charm. Hotel Business caught up with Sana Keefer, the company’s head of brand, to discuss the firm’s design process and some of its recent projects.
How does Cassetta go about creating unique stays that preserve each property’s authenticity, and can you give us an example of that with one of your current properties?
Italian for “little house” or “lodge,” Casetta is a hospitality brand rooted in a deep respect for architecture, community and storytelling. We’re drawn to places with character and history—spaces that already have a soul—and we see our role as caretakers, preserving what makes them special while adapting them thoughtfully for today’s travelers. Rather than applying a uniform brand identity, we let the history, neighborhood and architecture of each property guide the creative process, designing spaces that are warm, culturally rich and deeply connected to their surroundings.
A perfect example is Hotel Lucile, opening in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood. Housed in a reimagined 1931 church, the property blends architectural preservation with boutique design sensibility. We are working closely with Electric Bowery to retain elements like the original stained-glass windows and cathedral-scale ceilings while weaving in rich details like hand-painted murals, antique furnishings and a hidden garden-style courtyard. At the heart of the hotel is the main chapel, now home to a vibrant bar and restaurant anchored by oversized arches and velvet-draped banquettes—a dramatic yet welcoming space that invites guests to gather. Upstairs, the moody choir loft provides a quiet retreat above the action. Guestrooms evoke a residential feel with original wood floors, curated vintage pieces and soft lighting that creates a sense of intimacy and escape. Every decision—from layout to lighting—was made to preserve the soul of the space while inviting new stories to unfold within it. That balance of past and present is what defines a Casetta stay.
Can you tell us about the special design elements of some of the older properties?
At Casetta, we believe great design is more than aesthetic—it’s about honoring the story of a place. Many of our older properties come with deep architectural roots and a strong sense of identity. Rather than reinventing them, we work with what’s already there—elevating original design elements and layering in modern touches that feel both intentional and timeless.
The Pearl Hotel in San Diego is a great example. Originally built in 1959 by architect Robert Platt, the hotel was once a mid-century Sportsman’s Lodge. In our restoration, we preserved iconic features like its art modern oyster-shaped pool while weaving in vintage-inspired design details and playful moments that nod to the era—such as the “dive-in” movie nights and the recently opened restaurant, Ponyboy, which channels a youthful, artistic energy in keeping with the building’s retro spirit.
Likewise, Casa Cody in Palm Springs—founded in the 1920s by Hollywood trailblazer Harriet Cody—is the city’s oldest operating hotel. We carefully preserved the property’s original adobe structures and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture while infusing the interiors with a modernist sensibility. The goal wasn’t to modernize for the sake of it but to let the historic charm of the site shine through, framing Casa Cody’s legacy within a refreshed and approachable design language.
Can you tell me about the design of the new properties in the portfolio?
Casetta’s newest properties reflect the evolution of our design philosophy—one that champions architectural preservation, community connection and an expressive, layered aesthetic that celebrates the soul of each location. For us, design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating spaces that feel alive with history, intention and a sense of place. We approach each property with fresh eyes and an adaptive-reuse mindset, working closely with our longtime design collaborators, Electric Bowery, to craft boutique environments that are as rooted as they are refined.
One of the most anticipated additions to our portfolio was Hotel Lucile in Silver Lake. Housed in a 1931 former church at the corner of Griffith Boulevard and Lucile Avenue, the property was designed to feel like a creative sanctuary in the heart of one of L.A.’s most vibrant neighborhoods. We leaned into the original structure’s grandeur, restoring soaring cathedral ceilings and jewel-toned stained-glass windows, while introducing contemporary design elements that add warmth and intimacy. A dramatic central bar, velvet-draped archways and custom murals transform the chapel into a gathering place that honors the building’s legacy while inviting new stories to unfold. The design extends outdoors to a European-inspired courtyard and a sun-soaked rooftop lounge with panoramic views—spaces meant to foster connection and creative conversation. In the guestrooms, original wood flooring, antique furnishings and layered textures create a quiet retreat from the buzz of the city.
In Taos, Hotel Willa brings new life to a former 1960s adobe motel, reimagined as a haven for art lovers and cultural travelers. The design draws directly from the region’s landscape and creative spirit, pairing earthy adobe textures and exposed wood beams with rich gemstone-inspired hues. Local artistry is woven into every element, from handcrafted textiles and ceramics to a dynamic lobby-gallery space that supports an active artist-in-residence program. Hotel Willa isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a space for locals and visitors alike to engage, reflect, and feel immersed in the spirit of Taos.
Meanwhile, in Big Bear Lake, Hotel Marina Riviera reintroduces a beloved 1968 lakefront Viking-inspired lodge as a modern mountain escape. This property embraces Big Bear’s nostalgic ski culture with playful mid-century design nods—custom plaid woodwork, warm amber lighting and vintage regional artwork—while also introducing contemporary comforts. The interiors feature tonal palettes inspired by the surrounding forest and lake, and the guestrooms offer cozy, tactile details like deep green walls, natural knits and custom furniture from local makers. The restaurant and lounge areas were designed with moments of surprise and delight, such as a custom record nook where guests can select vinyl to play by the fire, or mirror panels that reflect shimmering lake views back into the space. It’s an homage to Big Bear’s past, seen through a fresh, modern lens. Across all three properties, Casetta continues to honor the architectural DNA of each building while creating spaces that speak to today’s traveler—design-driven, story-forward and deeply connected to their environment. These new openings reflect not only where we’re going as a brand, but how we’re staying true to our ethos: thoughtful, timeless hospitality with a deep sense of place.
What are some of the challenges your company faces when converting historical properties to boutique hotels?
Converting historical properties into boutique hotels is both a privilege and a complex design challenge. At Casetta, we see ourselves as stewards of these storied spaces—committed to honoring their past while making them relevant for today’s travelers. That said, preserving authenticity while meeting modern hospitality standards requires an incredibly nuanced approach.
One of the biggest challenges is maintaining the architectural integrity of the original structure while introducing contemporary comforts. Whether it’s a 1931 church, like Hotel Lucile in Silver Lake, or a 1959 mid-century lodge, like The Pearl Hotel in San Diego, we approach each property with a light but deliberate touch. Our goal is never to erase the past, but to build upon it, reviving original elements like stained-glass windows, woodwork or vintage tile, while layering in subtle modern amenities. This balancing act often involves navigating local preservation codes, regulatory hurdles and structural constraints. For example, older buildings weren’t designed with today’s safety standards, accessibility requirements, or expectations around comfort and technology in mind. Bringing them up to code while retaining their unique character can be painstaking and requires close collaboration between our design team, architects, city officials, and local artisans.
There’s also an emotional responsibility. Many of these properties hold deep cultural or architectural significance within their communities. Our design process starts with listening to the building’s story, to the neighborhood’s identity, and to the ways in which we can bring something beautiful, functional and respectful to life. Despite the complexity, these challenges are what make the end result so meaningful. At Casetta, we don’t believe in flattening design with a cookie-cutter approach. The quirks, the history, the architectural oddities—these are the elements that create the magic. Our role is simply to help them shine.
