Starwood Preferred Guest - Any plans for Starwood in Wailea?

I keep hoping that Starwood will decide to build a resort in Wailea HI, seems odd that there isn't one..Any plans in the works?

Renaissance makeover to result in a St. Regis
By HARRY EAGAR, Staff Writer
WAILEA – The Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort will be demolished in a $250 million project to create a much smaller, ultraluxury St. Regis hotel.

St. Regis is being positioned as Starwood’s most elite brand, using as a springboard the century-old St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan.

At the New York hotel, some of the units have been sold as residences, which owners can either live in themselves or put into a hotel pool. At the planned 193-suite Wailea St. Regis, all of the units will be sold as condominiums.

As you can see, Starwood already owns a property at Wailea, but it has had problems getting planning consent for its redevelopment.

I attended a Westin timeshare display six months ago on Maui, and the salespeople (salespeople, so beware!) said that the Wailea property would only get approval as St Regis residences, with little prospect of them being available to rent.

Wasn't the Orchid in Wailea a *wood property that was then purchased by the Fairmont?

Wasn't the Orchid in Wailea a *wood property that was then purchased by the Fairmont?

The Orchid you are referring to is on the Big Island.

It would be nice if *W had a resort in Wailea (a W or St Regis), but there's already 3 *W properties on Maui...albeit along Kaanapali.

IMO, what would be a better Hawaii plan for *W would be to open/obtain a resort in the Kohala region of the Big Island as the only property on the entire Big island is the Sheraton at Keahou, which is a far cry from the Kohala luxury resorts.

The newest plan is for the Wailea Renaissance to be converted to an elite Baccarat hotel.

http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=32022

The newest plan is for the Wailea Renaissance to be converted to an elite Baccarat hotel.

http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=32022

Alas, the Renaissance closed for good yesterday. The Baccarat is being developed as a "condotel" by Starwood Capital Group which is run by former Starwood Hotels CEO Barry Sternlicht, but is unaffiliated with Starwood Hotels. Translation: no *Wood hotel in Wailea anytime soon plus average $$ per room night is about to go way up in Wailea. The closing of the Ren will take 345 rooms out of inventory until 2010 when the Baccarat reopens with about 193 "rooms" at super premium rates.

Soon the Grand Wailea is going to be the "Motel 6" of Wailea! ;)

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I found the following recent article interesting:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901280354

William,

Now that the Baccarat Wailea development is kaput, any chance that Starwood Hotels will get in the mix again with Starwood Capital to introduce either a W, LC or St Regis property in Wailea, Maui?

Following the loss of the Sheratons and Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia along with the W Honolulu, I venture a new *W luxury property in Wailea would be a welcome addition to its Pacific Islands portfolio for many of us SPG members. A welcome contrast to Hilton Honors' relatively recent gains in the region (first the Grand Wailea and now *W's former FP properties)...not that there's a competition between the two;).

Please ignore my earlier suggestion in this thread above (that was years ago)...for now:D

...William,

Now that the Baccarat Wailea development is kaput, any chance that Starwood Hotels will get in the mix again with Starwood Capital to introduce either a W, LC or St Regis property in Wailea, Maui?...

Right hand to God here, okay. I know absolutely nothing with regard to what Starwood Capital's plans are in relation to Wailea or Hawaii/French Polynesia is concerned. Isn't Starwood Capital run by Barry Sternlicht?

And, whenever I ask anyone at Starwood who might have a clue, no one in Starwood's Hotel Development wants to confirm anything publicly, so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I already knew you'd respond as such William.;)

Just wishfully hoping that it could come to fruition...maybe with your assistance. And maybe if they knew how favorable a decision it would be amongst many of us SPG FT'ers here...or at least I hope it is.

I would venture upper mgmt would look at the bookings and occupancy rate for the not-yet-reopened St Regis Princeville and Royal Hawaiian resorts before deliberating, if at all, on a possible *W luxury resort in Wailea. So it's probably not a hot topic for them right now, all things (like the ECONOMY) considered.

But I imagine they would be able to renegotiate at near-bottom prices right now with Starwood Capital. And if and when the economy turns, would eventually be able to prosper enormously as Wailea Maui is a very popular destination choice for the typical W, LC, StR type demographics.

Again, all wishful conjectures on the part of a bored Plat member hoping to see exciting news from my favored hotel program.

Any other FT'ers ^ or :td: on the idea?

I'm all for more SPG properties in HI!