Page 5 - MidWeek Kauai - June 7, 2023

Things Are Looking Up For Hotel Industry Veteran
“(This project) is super unique because it will be our first condo hotel,” Sanders says. “It’s going to be a five- star luxury product in every- thing from the size of the room to the quality of the construc- tion.
nas and a steam room.
“There are very few hotels
“We’ll re-emerge as one of the cool- est lifestyle hotels in the market. We’re super excited about that,” Sanders says, adding that the properties will
Also on Maui, Makai Sunset Inn in Lahaina, which is closed for a full ren- ovation, will re-open at the end of June, and in October will be re-branded as Lei Lei House.
JUNE 7, 2023 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 5
FROM PAGE 4
Back in Waikīkī, Sanders says, the Waikīkī Pearl on Nahua Street and the Ambassador Waikīkī, near the intersec- tion of Kūhiō and Kalākaua avenues, are undergoing separate renovations valued at $40 million and $75 million, respectively.
have completely new personalities and names that tie into the surrounding com- munity.
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is set to open early next year in the SKY Ala Moana building on Kapi‘olani Boule- vard, across from Ala Moana Shopping Center.
way up to the 39th floor.” There will also be two new restaurants in the lobby, two pools, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor onsen (Japa- nese-style soaking tubs), sau-
The Pearl is slated to reopen next year; while Ambassador reopens in September.
Meanwhile, on Maui, renovation of the bungalows at Royal Lahaina Re- sort & Bungalows continues. Sanders says guests can also expect a new lob- by restaurant, and upgraded pools and beach bar by year’s end.
“The hotel itself will not start until the 15th floor, so when you arrive, you’ ll come into the lobby to check in and then go straight to the 15th floor where the first rooms are. And all of the rooms have amazing ocean views all the
outside of Waikīkī and I think people are just forced to go to Waikīkī because that’s what’s available,” Sanders says. “Be- cause of its location, (Renais- sance Honolulu) will definitely tap into Hawai‘i Convention Center business, and it will help to start to alleviate traffic congestion in Waikīkī.”
A rendering of the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, which is set to open early next year. IMAGE COURTESY RENAISSANCE HONOLULU HOTEL & SPA
getting a contemporary refresh — but will remain true to its kama‘aina-friendly roots.
Renaissance is just a few blocks away from the High- gate-managed Pagoda Hotel, which Sanders says is also
Renovations at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on Maui continue. The new look is scheduled to be completed by the year’s end. PHOTO COURTESY ROYAL LAHAINA RESORT & BUNGALOWS
“Not only are we opening or
so many of our assets that we have in Ha- wai‘i ... we also have formed a partnership with a company called TableOne,” Sanders says. “It’s really led by (celebrity chef) Mi- chael Mina and his group and they will be opening five new restaurants for us in our hotels.”
Final details are being ironed out but Sanders says guests can expect everything
than 40 other restaurants around the world. “And we are super excited to announce that on June 1 we will open La Bettola, which is an Italian concept from chef (Tsu- tomu) Ochiai out of Tokyo,” Sanders says.
Initial reports indicated La Bettola would open in SKY Waikīkī — but Sanders con- firms Ochiai will join another chef from Japan at ‘Alohilani — Iron Chef Masaha- ru Morimoto, whose signature Morimoto Asia Waikīkī and more casual Momosan by Morimoto are at the resort as well.
reimagining
from Japanese cuisine to dishes inspired by the Mediterranean and Southern California. Mina won the Michelin star for his epony- mous restaurant in San Francisco. That eat- ery closed in 2021, but Mina operates more
“(This will be) his first restaurant outside of Japan at our ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.”
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