In this Hotel Impossible episode, Anthony Melchiorri visits Maui Sunseeker Resort in Maui, Hawaii.
Maui Sunseeker Resort is owned by Chuck Spence.
He wanted a safe haven for the LGBTQ community.
Chuck bought it while it was struggling in 2008 and it is still struggling.
Anthony arrives and sees a parking lot at the back of the resort.
It looks like it is reserved for another business until Sunseeker is seen written in magic marker above the sign.
There are general signs of wear and tear outside due to the seawater in the air.
Anthony struggles to find the front desk and the ‘Office’ sign is blocked by some bushes.
He finally finds the office and it is closed with instructions to call for someone to come attend to them.
Joe answers and opens the door explaining he was cleaning inside.
Anthony is shown to a room that is labelled with velcro signs that can be easily removed.
Inside the decor is dated but has white sheets that he likes.
The inspection is interrupted by a humming noise.
Anthony traces it to a hot tub above the room on a roof deck.
He finds two members of the LGBTQ community enjoying the hot tub, sans clothing.
It is clothing optional in the hot tub.
Anthony gets feedback from them and explores the roof deck.
It is also outdated and shabby with the jacuzzi falling apart and maintenance issues.
Anthony sits with Chuck to hear his story.
The resort was not the only LGBTQ friendly one in the area but is now the last one standing.
Chuck lives on the property and it is all he has left after getting open heart surgery some weeks prior.
He opened with almost $6m and the resort is losing money.
Anthony tells him all the things he has noticed so far.
Chuck says he hired one of the former owners, Micheal, as the General Manager.
Blanche Garcia is brought in as the interior designer and gets started.
She can immediately tell Anthony trashed the roof deck.
Blanche agrees the hot tub has to go because of the noise.
She identifies the wind is a problem but thinks she can turn the space into a Shangri La.
Anthony leaves and runs into Micheal and shows him all the issues.
Micheal says he is aware of it all and he will get around to it when he can.
This is not enough and Anthony confronts him saying he is the problem.
Meanwhile Micheal thinks Chuck is the problem.
Anthony decides Micheal is too afraid and takes him to face his fear of height by Ziplining.
After this Anthony shows Blanche one of the rooms Chuck has started renovating.
Blanche finds the room bland and boring and she agrees to help add some creativity to the space.
Micheal meets with Chuck and tells him to stop micromanaging the business.
He tells him that he needs to put in money to make the business work.
They call Anthony into a meeting, explain their stance and finally get on the same page.
Anthony gives them an assignment to list out the changes that need to be made.
Anthony checks on the roof deck and they are about to saw the hot tub and Anthony takes a chainsaw to it.
Next, he does some research on how to get more people to come to the hotel.
Anthony meets with Chuck and Micheal the next morning.
He shows them that they are behind and also some research reports.
Anthony shows that Chuck, despite wanting to be inclusive, is discriminating against everyone else.
They need to make their marketing aimed at a general market.
They also plan to throw a party on the roof deck at the relaunch.
Anthony runs into Joe and Micheal announces they have gotten a maintenance man.
This means that Joe does not have to abandon the front desk again.
Anthony looks for the new hire, John.
He is already hard at work repairing all the faults Anthony found earlier.
After this, Anthony checks in on Blanche again.
She is alone as her staff are working in the suite but they are still expecting furniture.
Anthony is happy with the progress and reminds her of the party.
Anthony takes Chuck and Micheal to see the suite once it was completed.
They are pleasantly surprised to see the changes which were mostly to the walls, bringing life to the space.
There are tribal motif rainbows on the walls.
The suite kitchen has also been upgraded with artwork from Micheal’s husband and a new countertop.
The bedroom has not been left out, with the new colours on the walls making it warmer.
After a while they are taken to the sundeck that has been completely revamped.
They are blown away as it is now a snazzy chill space for hangouts with a bar and commercial grade furniture.
Some locals and LGBTQ in the community have been invited to the party on the roof deck.
They are all happy with the space and have a fun time.
Anthony has a last surprise for them: an e-marketing postcard that is more inclusive.
What Happened Next at Maui Sunseeker Resort?
Six weeks later, Chuck renovated 15 more rooms following the suite that was redone.
The hotel is now marketing to both heterosexuals and gay guests.
High season bookings are already up 10%.
Maui Sunseeker Resort is closed.
The hotel closed in 2016.
The hotel was sold to new owners.
It reopened as Kohea Kai Resort Maui
Reviews were positive prior to the closure.
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