Paradise at Villa Santa Cruz
This project is one of the most meaningful chapters in my journey. After losing my father to Parkinson’s Disease in 2022, I wanted to honor both of my parents’ legacy by channeling grief into something that would bring lasting joy to my family. I pitched the idea to my 5 older siblings of reinvesting the proceeds from our childhood home into a new family property — a vacation home our parents always dreamed of.
The result was Paradise at Villa Santa Cruz: a tropical-inspired oasis in Mesa, Arizona, designed as a place for our family to gather, while also opening the doors for other large families and groups of friends to enjoy through Airbnb and Vrbo. The name itself is a tribute: Paradise reflects our vision of creating a slice of heaven, while Santa Cruz honors the town in the Philippines where our parents were from.
This was an end-to-end project that drew on all three pillars of Maximize Studio & Design:
Maximize Brands – building the identity and story behind the property
Maximize Spaces – conceptualizing and redesigning both the interior and exterior to reflect a tropical Filipino oasis
Maximize Rentals – launching and managing the listing, optimizing the guest experience, and maintaining consistent Superhost status
Today, Paradise at Villa Santa Cruz is ranked in the top 5% of short-term rentals in the Phoenix area. More importantly, it has become a true family legacy project — a space that celebrates our heritage, creates unforgettable experiences for guests, and embodies the values of joy, connection, and living fully.
