KOHALA COAST — After spending the night at a Westin hotel, one of the things people most often remember is a good night’s sleep on one of their Heavenly Beds.
With today’s official rebranding of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, a comfy bed is one of many new perks. The rebranding coincides with the completion of a much-needed $46 million renovation.
“We had been in discussion with Starwood, and subsequently Marriott after their purchase of Starwood and the Westin brand, that began in earnest early 2016,” Craig Anderson said, Mauna Kea Resort’s VP of Operations. “We were planning a renovation at Hapuna and it made sense to renovate in concert with a national brand, as there are brand standards that need to be incorporated into the renovation plan.”
Upgrades included everything from a renovated lobby area to a new adults-only infinity pool, four new restaurant concepts, two new fitness studios, Westin’s Gear Lending program and a complete overhaul of all guestrooms.
The renovation, managed by Honolulu-based interior design firm G70, has been underway the past 10 months, during which time the hotel remained open.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort marks the brand’s only property on Hawaii Island and their sixth in the state. Others are Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach on Oahu; The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort & Villas and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Kaanapali on Maui; and The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas on Kauai.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is still owned and managed by Prince Resorts Hawaii.
Positive effects of rebranding and renovation
The hotel may not look any different from the outside but subtle changes are obvious from the moment you enter the lobby. Island flora and vegetation is displayed on a custom living wall and vertical garden as part of the Westin rebranding. The welcome area is decorated with new wood, metal and glass accents and furniture in earthy tones.
An updated check-in system features three kiosks where guests are individually checked in to personalize the arrival experience. On both sides of the lobby, relaxing bench swings — which continue on every floor below — have been added, coaxing guests to unwind and take in the ocean view.
It’s no longer necessary to take an elevator from the lobby down to the beach. Added stairways allow guests to meander from the lobby to each level below gradually.
“The most dramatic change is the connectivity from the main lobby,” Anderson said. “You can now travel by stairway one level down to Piko Coffee+Bar, a level down to Ikena Restaurant and then by stairway leading to the new adult pool and below that, the family pool.”
Tiered grass and bougainvillea that once filled the back lawn have been replaced by a new koi pond that leads to the adults-only pool with private cabanas, chaise lounges and pool ledge loungers.
“The new water feature and infinity-edge adult pool have transformed the feel at the center of the resort,” Anderson said.
On the ground level, an upgraded family pool is just steps away from the island’s largest beach.
Renovated guestrooms and suites
Guestroom renovations in the north building were completed in mid-February. The remaining south building rooms were finished earlier this month. More than 70 percent of all guestrooms have ocean views.
Double screen front doors now give guests the option to be cooled by the trade winds. Renovations inside include upgraded showers, new marble bathroom vanities, high-tech toilets and new carpeting and wall coverings.
On the back lanai, guests can recline on a cushy love seat or dine at a raised table. Polynesian style wooden towel racks decorate the wall.
Of the 249 guestrooms, 17 are one and two-bedroom suites.
“Some are newly constructed using previously unused space adjacent to existing guestrooms, while others were a conversion of previous connecting rooms,” Vicky Kometani said, Mauna Kea Resort’s director of marketing and public relations.
The 17 suites range in size from 810 to 1209 square feet including the lanai.
“We are already receiving laudatory comments from repeat guests,” Anderson said. “The new Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is softer, warmer and full of natural elements; all key to the Westin brand. The additions … all combine to create a more luxurious feel … There is an energy and vibrancy now that is palatable.”
Indoor and outdoor relaxation and fitness
New fitness options include a CrossFit studio and a WestinWORKOUT fitness studio equipped with Peloton and TRX equipment. For outdoor exercise, the hotel added the RunWESTIN program — a guided run led by the hotel’s Run Concierge.
While parents relax in the renovated Hapuna Spa, children can keep busy in the Kids Club.
Revamped dining options
All four of the resort’s dining outlets were also renovated.
On the lobby level, centrally-located Piko Coffee+Bar serves 100-percent Kona coffee from a mango wood bar top, along with beverages and cocktails, and “small bites” at night. Grab-and-go selections are available in a separate area across from the bar throughout the day.
Ikena Landing offers breakfast outdoors under shaded trellises. Menu options range from à la carte items to breakfast buffet, fresh juices by The Juicery and smoothies.
For lunch and happy hour, guests flock to Naupaka Beach Grill for Pacific Rim cuisine dished up poolside, along with an extensive list of local brews on tap.
The ocean view is front and center at Meridia, the dinner-only restaurant complete with a display kitchen, craft cocktails, expanded al fresco dining space and a charcuterie and crudo bar with house-made artisanal bread. The Mediterranean-inspired cuisine is created with locally sourced ingredients.
Oceanfront condos to be added
The sale of the hotel’s tower 3 helped fund the hotel’s renovation. Purchased in August 2016 by West Point Investment Corporation, the tower houses 96 former guestrooms — 36 suites and 60 standard guestrooms — soon to be converted into 62 beachfront condominiums. Now called Hapuna Beach Residences at Mauna Kea Resort, 10 reservations with deposits have been made on the units in pre-construction, according to Tomoko Matsumoto with Hapuna Realty.
Sales are expected to begin later this summer with prices ranging from $1.45 to $8 million on the one to four-bedroom condos which range in size from 672 to 3,500 square feet.
Construction is hoped to be completed by fall 2019, Matsumoto said.
Marriott’s new role
With the hotel’s new Westin rebranding, Marriott has a bigger piece of the Kohala Coast pie — operating, franchising or marketing three of the seven hotels.
In 2002, they signed an agreement to manage Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Then in late 2014, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel became the first hotel in Hawaii to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection — a group of more than 100 independent hotels and resorts that participate in Marriott Rewards, a loyalty program that enables guest to earn and redeem points for free nights and flights. Hapuna is the third hotel, with Marriott purchasing Starwood Hotels — including Westin — in September 2016.
Further down the coast are two other Marriott properties: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and Sheraton Keauhou.
Now through July 29, locals can get a feel for the new Westin Hapuna Beach Resort with kamaaina rates starting at $179 per night.
A grand opening charity event is scheduled at the resort July 14 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Further details and tickets can be found at www.hapunabeachresort.com/grand-opening.