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She was excited about the boutique project because, she says, "You have a lot more opportunity to make special moments." Lord embraced the lack of uniformity of the building and its rooms to do just that, giving each space its own theme, palette, and mood, while holding respect for the building ever paramount. "It's a historical building," says Lord. "It's Irving Gill. We wanted to make sure we still honored him and what he did for this community, but we also wanted to tie it into La Jolla, bring in the landscape [and] how iconic that is, so you'll see nods to that throughout." So, in addition to honoring its lineage, Lord infused spaces with winking local references from the common area's sunset-colored glass ceiling fixtures in shapes that mimic water bubbling up in area tide pools to the headboard in the penthouse, made of wood and designed as an abstract version of the La Jolla coastline. Modern touches as well as art deco influences like brass and green marble meld seamlessly to create a richly detailed, casual- yet-polished environment perfectly suited to a chic coastal getaway. e team ensures the guest experience is authentically La Jollan. From amenities (Bird Rock Coffee, Cafe Moto cold brew, a rotating offering of fresh pastries from Sugar & Scribe or Flower Pot) to pre-built itineraries and recommendations that include local experiences like an infrared sauna at Livkraft, a day pass at Life Time gym, or a spin class at Edge Cycle, guests are immersed in life as a local. Regular events and activities including yoga and Pilates (for which the La Jolla Women's Club generously shares their lawn with Orli), mini-markets featuring local brands or artisans, pop-up concerts, and more further connect Orli, its guests, and the community, as well. "When people come here, they feel like they're at home and they don't feel like they're in a hotel, in the best possible way," says Jordan Gafa, Orli's hospitality manager who, incidentally, is also Hailey's husband. "e number one comment I get from guests staying here is attention to detail is really beyond anything that they've either stayed at or seen before, from their house to hotels to traveling wherever they may go, and I think it speaks volumes about the time and effort that goes into it." With such early success comes the inevitable question: Are there plans for another Orli? e Waitt siblings exchange knowing smiles at the inquiry. "ere's been a great deal of learnings and feedback from guests, and feedback from all the different parties involved in the construction and the current experience in operation, so we're constantly taking that and filing that in our little suggestion box and evaluating what Orli 2.0 looks like," says Maxwell. e vision is to remain "high-end, high design, and small and personal, so we're never going to be above 50 keys" when Orli expands beyond La Jolla, but, he adds coyly, "We haven't set our eyes on anything yet." stayorli.com detour destinations << No two of the 13 guestrooms are alike — an aspect designer Maddie Lord embraced to create "special moments" throughout Orli "We definitely weren't afraid to ask questions, and asked for a lot of advice," says Hailey Waitt of opening Orli. "We didn't come into it with a lot of hubris." ranchandcoast.com 76 AUGUST 2023 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE