Recently in Hawaii Hotel News Category

From Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

Hilton Hotels Corp. has posted a 15 percent higher spring quarter profit of $165 million, but says Hawaii operations did not lead the increase this time.

Beverly Hills-based Hilton (NYSE: HLT) said revpar -- revenue per available room -- was up 8.9 percent worldwide and 9.8 percent in North America compared to the second quarter last year. Overall company revenue grew 4 percent.

"Particularly strong revpar growth was reported at the company's owned hotels in New York and San Francisco, while the Hawaii market was soft during the quarter," Hilton said Tuesday.

This was the case despite the fact that the Hilton Hawaiian Village was one of its O&O properties coming out at the end of renovation activity that took a lot of rooms out of service earlier.

Hilton Grand Vacations Co., the vacation ownership division, reported a 21 percent decline in profitability during the second quarter.

"Unit sales declined 9 percent, however average unit sales prices increased 35 percent over last year, with the increase driven by new projects in Hawaii," Hilton said.

The quarter at a glance:

* Revenue: $2.085 billion. Year before: $2.005 billion.
* Net income: $165 million. Year before: $144 million.
* Per share: 40 cents. Year before: 35 cents.

The profit was about a nickel a share better than the consensus forecast of analysts.

Hilton recently announced agreement to be acquired for $26 billion by The Blackstone Group.

• The Hawaii Tourism Authority has named visitor industry veteran David Uchiyama as its new marketing director. Uchiyama leaves a position as regional director of communications for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii and French Polynesia.

• The Outrigger Condominium Collection has named Hawaii tourism veteran Dale Stetson as regional director-Kauai. The company operates the Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa, the Kiahuna Plantation and the Lae nani.

• The Ala Moana Hotel has named Grant James as general manager and Ron Takayama as assistant general manager. The property recently began operations as an affiliate of the Outrigger chain.

• The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua has named Marc Nasser as director of group sales, overseeing the property's six group sales managers.

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - 9:32 AM HST Wednesday

Hyatt Hotels Corp., after evaluating the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa, has decided to convert it to a Grand Hyatt.

The name represents the chain's uppermost tier. The Poipu resort, which Hyatt manages as well as brands, is owned by Kawailoa Development, a subsidiary of Japan-based Takenaka Corp.
Only 23 Hyatts worldwide offer a level of service deemed sufficient to use the "Grand Hyatt" rather than "Hyatt Regency" name.
"As we continue to clearly define the various Hyatt brands, our property on Kauai reflects all the elements of a Grand Hyatt hotel based on its luxurious setting, excellent service and dining, its award-winning Anara Spa and its celebrated golf course," said Hyatt President Edward Rabin.

The golf course to which Rabin refers, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., ranked 1st in the June 2005 Top 100 Golf Courses in the United States list by Conde Nast Traveler. Rabin said the name change is driven not by marketing but by specific enhancements to the property, and says further renovations are being undertaken, including a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Anara Spa. Plans for its expansion include the addition of a 5,000 square foot garden treatment area with space for couples' spa treatments in the privacy of thatched-roof cabanas. The property's General Manager Doug Sears says there also will be an increase in employee training. "We are known for extensive training now," he said, "and we will place even more importance on protocol and perfection to create a sense of ownership in the new product and service."

HAWAII HOTELS broke occupancy records during the first quarter of 2005 with an 85.4% rate, which equates to room revenue of $782.3 million. The total number of rooms sold was 4.8 million nights, a 4% increase from the previous year. One reason for the rise is a 1.1% drop in available rooms due to the conversion of many hotel rooms to condo and timeshare units. Hawaii's occupancy rates were second in the nation, with New York leading the way.

Hilton is spending $65 million to acquire 112 acres on Hawaii's Big Island. The undeveloped land is surrounding the King's Golf Course near the Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Hilton has not announced any formal plans for the land, saying plans are "still being determined and will be announced at a later date.

Name change on the horizon for Hawaii's Aston

HONOLULU -- Aston Hotels and Resorts will be changing its name to ResortQuest Hawaii on Aug. 1.

The company has been using Aston ResortQuest Hawaii as a trade name. Aston adopted its current name in 1986.

THE DOUBLETREE ALANA HOTEL in Waikiki completed its $2.9 million renovation, which transformed 45 suites and 268 guest rooms from the inside out. "Contemporary Hawaiian motifs" are what hotel representatives are calling the themes found in rooms, which include new carpet, wallpaper, curtains, furniture, televisions and wireless Internet access.

THE HALEKULANI in Waikiki began a cocktail seminar hosted by Dale DeGroff, 20-year veteran bartender of New York City's Rainbow Room. Participants will taste various concoctions as well as learn tricks used by master pourers around the world, as taught by DeGroff. Classes are limited to 20 students. Participants will receive a signed copy of DeGroff's new book, "The Craft of the Cocktail." The seminar is $40 and is held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On June 23, tropical rum drinks will be the focus; July 15, martinis; and on July 19, tequila.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA will begin a Polynesian luau this summer, beginning June 28. A traditional buffet of Polynesian foods will be paired with tropical cocktails, music and hula performances. The cost is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, including tax and gratuity.

THE HYATT REGENCY WAIKIKI began the final phase of its $16 million room renovation, which should take approximately five months to complete. This last phase includes all the rooms in the Diamond Head Tower, as the rooms in the Ewa Tower were completed in Nov. 2004. From wallpaper to showerheads, artwork, drapes and lamps, all 1,230 guest rooms will have been totally renovated by the end of the project.