Kona Surf to become a Starwood in 2004
Jan 15, 2003, 12:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Greenville, SC USA
Posts: 859
Kona Surf to become a Starwood in 2004
Starwood has confirmed earlier rumors announced that it will take over the management of the former Kona Surf hotel, shuttered since June of 2000. The property will be re-named the Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort. A $40 million dollar renovation is planned and when re-opened, the hotel is expected to be a "four diamond property"
The property is located South of Kailua-Kona town.
The property is located South of Kailua-Kona town.
Jan 15, 2003, 1:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Global Services, AA Lifetime ExecPlat, LH HON Circle, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,002
Nice to see some big island presence returning. I stayed at this hotel years ago, it was "okay." Hopefully is will be well updated.
Jan 15, 2003, 1:54 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Coppell, Texas
Posts: 1,014
This use to be a Hilton, when they got Waikoloa from Hyatt they dropped this hotel then it went really bad. Nice location, but dreadful place.
Jan 15, 2003, 2:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA PLT, SPG GLD, PC PLT SPIRE
Posts: 4,531
Always nice to see another option for staying at a Starwood! 
Jan 15, 2003, 2:28 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,800
I don't think the Kona Surf is the former Hilton. it's the Royal Kona (I stayed there Dec. 2000) and saw the old Hilton logo still on the hangers and inroom fridge among other places).
Jan 15, 2003, 3:20 pm
#6
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Here's a link to their web site:
http://www.tournet-hawaii.com/hotel/kona/konasurf.htm
Not sure how much of it applies currently, but perhaps someone will recognize its former branding if their was one.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
http://www.tournet-hawaii.com/hotel/kona/konasurf.htm
Not sure how much of it applies currently, but perhaps someone will recognize its former branding if their was one.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 15, 2003, 3:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 223
William,
Any idea whether this will be branded as a Luxury Collection property...filling the hole left by the Orchid? Just wondering. The Starwood Luxury Collection doesn't appear complete without a property on this island.
------------------
AA Platinum, Delta Gold, Starwood Platinum, Fairmont President's Club Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Any idea whether this will be branded as a Luxury Collection property...filling the hole left by the Orchid? Just wondering. The Starwood Luxury Collection doesn't appear complete without a property on this island.
------------------
AA Platinum, Delta Gold, Starwood Platinum, Fairmont President's Club Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Jan 15, 2003, 3:51 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Currently in Bloomington, IN, but Normally NYC, CDG, and even POZ or wherever FT takes me.
Programs: Northwest Airlines. MTA pay-per-ride Metrocard; zero-balance Oyster card.
Posts: 14,018
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The Starwood Luxury Collection doesn't appear complete without a property on this island.</font>
I doubt that this property will in any way compete with the Hilton, IMHO.
Jan 15, 2003, 3:59 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
I sure hope that it becomes a LC property. I'm sad to not be going to Kona this year!
Jan 15, 2003, 4:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: too far from the airport
Posts: 3,298
Whoo-hoo! I love the area. It's not out in the middle of nowhere like the Orchid and the Waikoloa Hilton are. The snorkeling is really nice, and there are restaurants and stores nearby. And you look up towards the hillside, and it's *green*, not a variety of yellow/brown/black shades. Just based on the location, this hotel would win hands down over the Waikoloa Hilton IMHO even if it was a Four Points (well, a nice Four Points).
Jan 15, 2003, 4:39 pm
#11
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PMASON:
William,
Any idea whether this will be branded as a Luxury Collection property...filling the hole left by the Orchid? Just wondering. The Starwood Luxury Collection doesn't appear complete without a property on this island.
</font>
William,
Any idea whether this will be branded as a Luxury Collection property...filling the hole left by the Orchid? Just wondering. The Starwood Luxury Collection doesn't appear complete without a property on this island.
</font>
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 15, 2003, 4:44 pm
#12
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
We were kayaking off this hotel recently and musing about what it would take to get this place back in decent shape. We pretty much figured it would have to be leveled - it's in really bad shape. The cool thing about it though is you have kayaking to nearby caves and "cliff" diving and the manta rays come there to feed on the plankton at night so you can dive with with them. I hope Sheraton lets the dive companies keep the lights on for them.
Jan 16, 2003, 1:42 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Greenville, SC USA
Posts: 859
PMason- The piece I read specifically only mentioned that the property would open as a "four diamond" property. Although,I don't know if the standards for the Luxury Collection aim for 5 rocks or not. The two properties on Lanai have 4 and I think Kapalua and the Orchid under Starwood are also four.
Jan 17, 2003, 5:03 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 223
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Leisuremiles:
PMason- The piece I read specifically only mentioned that the property would open as a "four diamond" property. Although,I don't know if the standards for the Luxury Collection aim for 5 rocks or not. The two properties on Lanai have 4 and I think Kapalua and the Orchid under Starwood are also four.</font>
PMason- The piece I read specifically only mentioned that the property would open as a "four diamond" property. Although,I don't know if the standards for the Luxury Collection aim for 5 rocks or not. The two properties on Lanai have 4 and I think Kapalua and the Orchid under Starwood are also four.</font>
------------------
AA Platinum, Delta Gold, Starwood Platinum, Fairmont President's Club Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Jan 17, 2003, 10:29 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,800
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Starwood Lurker:
Not sure how much of it applies currently, but perhaps someone will recognize its former branding if their was one.
</font>
Not sure how much of it applies currently, but perhaps someone will recognize its former branding if their was one.
</font>