Hawaii Hotel News: June 2005 Archives

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.