10 Iconic WATG Designs That Starred on the Silver Screen

Eighty years ago, Pete Wimberly established a small architectural firm in Honolulu. Today, WATG has evolved into a global design powerhouse, crafting iconic destinations around the world.

From the glamor of Casino Royale and Some Like It Hot to the tropical charm of Blue Hawaii and the intrigue of The White Lotus, WATG’s designs have not only shaped extraordinary places but have also shared the spotlight with Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Here are ten WATG-designed destinations that have made cinematic history:

Featured in: The White Lotus (Season 1, 2021) starring Jennifer Coolidge, Murray Bartlett, and Alexandra Daddario

HBO’s hit series The White Lotus took audiences on a wild ride through high-end resort drama, but the real star of the show was the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea. Designed by WATG in 1990, this slice of paradise blends seamlessly with the Hawaiian landscape. Classical elements like columns, blue-tiled roofs, and marble floors add a touch of elegance, while the central courtyard, framed by royal palms and serene fountains, makes every shot picture-perfect.

Featured in: Some Like It Hot (1959) starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon

Few hotels are as instantly recognizable as the Hotel del Coronado. This Victorian beauty, known as The Del, was already a legend before Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon arrived to film Some Like It Hot. Wimberly Interiors recently led a careful renovation to preserve its timeless charm, ensuring that it remains as glamorous as the day it debuted on screen.

Featured in: Sommersby (1993) starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster

The Omni Homestead has been welcoming guests since 1766, but in Sommersby, it played the role of a Civil War-era retreat. WATG and Wimberly Interiors helped restore this historic property with a $140 million renovation, bringing new life to its grand architecture while keeping its old-world charm intact.

Featured in: Fast & Furious 7 (2015) starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Dwayne Johnson

When the Fast & Furious crew needed a location worthy of high-octane action, Emirates Palace delivered. Designed by WATG, this lavish hotel features individual palaces, a world-class conference center, and a luxury Kempinski hotel. The mix of Arabian elegance and luxury made it the perfect backdrop for Vin Diesel and the gang’s adventure.

Featured in: Blue Hawaii (1961) starring Elvis Presley, and Godzilla (2014)

Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii helped put the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the map, and decades later, Godzilla gave it a dramatic new role. WATG’s design captures the spirit of Waikiki, making it a dreamy escape for guests and a must-see location for film buffs.

Featured in: Murder on the Orient Express (1974, 2017) starring Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, and Michelle Pfeiffer, and From Russia with Love starring Sean Connery

Nothing says luxury like a ride on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Wimberly Interiors restored this legendary train, creating opulent Grand Suites that bring back the golden age of travel. Whether it’s solving a murder mystery or escaping Soviet spies, this train remains a star in its own right.

Featured in: Blended (2014) starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

With its towering rotunda, cascading waterfalls, and jungle surroundings, The Palace of the Lost City looks like something out of a storybook. WATG designed this resort to feel like an ancient African kingdom, making it the perfect setting for the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore comedy Blended.

Featured in: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) starring Tom Cruise, and Happy New Year (2014) starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone

Tom Cruise sprinted through Atlantis The Palm in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, proving that it’s as thrilling in real life as it is on screen. Designed by WATG, the resort blends Atlantean mythology with Arabian elegance, creating a setting that is larger than life.

Featured in: Miss Congeniality 2 (2005) starring Sandra Bullock, Rat Race (2001), 21 (2008) starring Kevin Spacey and Jim Sturgess

The Venetian isn’t just a hotel, it’s an entire experience. With its gondola-filled canals and stunning recreations of Venice’s most famous landmarks, it’s no wonder Hollywood keeps coming back. Whether it’s Sandra Bullock chasing bad guys or high-stakes poker drama in 21, this WATG-designed resort steals the show.

Featured in: Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts

Bellagio, Las Vegas’ iconic fountains and luxurious casino were central to the plot of Ocean’s Eleven, placing it among the most recognizable locations in movie history. Wimberly Interiors recently updated key spaces, ensuring that the Bellagio remains as stylish as ever.

For 80 years, WATG has designed destinations that inspire travelers and storytellers alike. Seeing a hotel become an architectural icon is one thing, but watching it take center stage in a Hollywood blockbuster is something else entirely.

As we celebrate eight decades of shaping the world’s most breathtaking resorts, we look forward to designing even more spaces that capture the imagination. Here’s to the next 80 years of creating settings worthy of the big screen.

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