Davidson Hospitality, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Jacki Arena Interiors (JAI) and Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) have come together to create one-of-a-kind hotel guestrooms that embody 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,” said Jacki Arena, principal/owner, JAI.
The inspiration behind the project
Arena said the idea of collaborating with GKTW was born from Davidson Hospitality’s connection to the nonprofit. GKTW 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, which is operated by Davidson.
Guided by its tagline, “Design That Makes a Difference,” JAI took on the project to create something that resonates deeply with families, sparks joy and raises awareness for GKTW’s transformative work, according to Arena. Together, they are designing a block of 12 “whimsical” guestrooms inspired by the magic of GKTW Village.
The goal of this initiative is to craft guestrooms that feel 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 multi-sensory features like stars on the ceiling and interactive bunk beds. The concept blends whimsy with practicality, creating a space that’s as magical as it is comfortable.
This won’t be your average hotel room, according to the designer. The playful, built-in bunk beds 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 a 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.
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.
“At JAI, we always design with heart, but this project touches something even deeper,” said Arena. “As my daughter and I volunteered at Give Kids The World, we were forever changed—especially by the stars covering the ceilings in the Castle of Miracles, each one representing a child’s story. It became clear to me that the most important thing we could bring into this guestroom was that same sense of wonder and hope. That’s why we are designing custom bunkbeds with stars on the ceilings—so every child who stays here can look up, dream big and feel the joy those stars represent.”
The volunteer experience provided invaluable insights that are shaping the hotel room design concept. Arena 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, according to Arena.
Another unforgettable moment for the pair, according to Arena, 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.
The 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 GKTW, helping to make another child’s wish come true.
This initiative reflects the values of both Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach and Jacki Arena Interiors, said the designer, who noted, “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.”
Thom Geshay, CEO/president, Davidson Hospitality Group, added, “Serving others with love is at the heart of everything we do. Our hospitality extends beyond the walls of our hotels and into our communities because when our communities thrive, so do we. Supporting Give Kids The World for nearly 40 years has allowed us to help create happy memories for families facing unimaginable circumstances—something we take tremendous pride in. This collaboration with Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach and Jacki Arena Interiors demonstrates that we are stronger together and spreads the joy of giving back. We can’t wait to give this magical experience to children and their families who need it most.”
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.
