KEAUHOU -- A $45 million renovation of the Kona Surf Hotel, closed
since 2000 and under the ownership of Koa Hotel since 2001, heralds
the landmark property's rebirth in September as the Sheraton
Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, a Starwood-managed hotel.
So sure is management that the hotel will meet its opening on
schedule, it is now accepting reservations for three packages
available for travel from Oct. 1 through Dec. 25. (See story
below.)
The property sits on 22 acres along the southern shore of
Keauhou Bay within the 1,850-acre Keauhou resort area on the Big
Island.
When completed, the hotel will unfold 530 rooms and suites; a
full-service spa and fitness center; tennis courts; jogging paths;
two restaurants; a business center; catering and convention
services; a wedding chapel; a children's play center; and a
"fantasy" pool with a 200-foot lava-tube waterslide.
"The majority of the renovation focuses on the multilevel
fantasy pool, new restaurants, rooms renovation with the new
Sheraton brand quality, and the guest-arrival experience with a new
lobby," said Revell Newton, director of sales and marketing for the
property.
The hotel's entrance is being restructured to provide an open
view of the ocean from an expanded porte cochere.
Gardens being built at the center of the hotel will become the
cultural center of the property, with storytelling one of the
featured activities, according to a spokeswoman for the
property.
The Kona Country Club is located adjacent to the property, and
the hotel is in the process of developing packages that will
incorporate golf and a golf and spa package, Newton said.
Suites will accommodate families of six. Guest rooms will have
an open-air lanai, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds and Heavenly Bath
amenities, Internet access, a coffeemaker, mini-refrigerator, TV
and hair dryer.
Spa Keauhou, an oceanfront, open-air facility, will incorporate
Hawaii's cultural and healing traditions into its services. The spa
operator has not yet been finalized but should be soon, Newton
said.
Keauhou means "new beginning," and the renovation and reopening
of the hotel mark the beginning of a major economic and cultural
revitalization in the Keauhou region, Newton said.
The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa represents the most
significant hotel project to occur in the area in more than 10
years, he added.
To contact Destinations Editor Margaret Myre, send e-mail to
[email protected].
Packages roll out with bevy of activities
KEAUHOU -- The three packages created to celebrate the opening
of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa this fall borrow from
the best in activities that the Big Island has to offer. All
packages are per night, per room, based on double occupancy.
For active travelers, there's the soft-adventure Big Experience
Package. Guests can choose one activity per person, per night, from
among these options: one-tank certified scuba dive; a snorkel
cruise; ocean kayaking; horseback riding; a Volcanoes National Park
tour; a gourmet sunset sail; a Kona Coffee plantation tour; a
surfing lesson; deep-sea sport fishing; a tropical rain forest and
waterfall hike; a luau; a round of golf; day-use pass for Spa
Keauhou; and a 50-minute massage.
A two-night minimum stay is required for the Big Experience.
Package rates are as follows: Garden View, $390; Ocean Coast View,
$430; Ocean View, $490; and Deluxe Ocean View, $570.
For those looking for a romantic getaway, there's the Hotel and
Anniversary Package, which includes accommodations, daily breakfast
buffet or breakfast in bed; a Spa Keauhou 50-minute couples massage
or two rounds of golf; and a private dinner in an oceanside cabana.
This package requires a four-night minimum stay. Rates are the same
as for the Big Experience.
The Familymoon Package offers 50% discounts on second and third
rooms and guaranteed connecting or adjacent rooms. It features
daily buffet breakfast for up to four people (children age 12 and
under eat free); child care for up to two hours daily at the
Children's Activity Center; every second child free in the daily
Kamp Keauhou program (ages 5 to 12); one evening's free
baby-sitting service for up to four children; and a choice of two
activities for adult family members (two total, not per person)
selected from the Big Experience activity list.
The Familymoon Package requires a four-night minimum stay.
Prices are Garden View, $500 for the first room ($250 for a second
and third room); Ocean Coast View, $540 for first room; Ocean View,
$600 first room; and Deluxe Ocean View, $680 first room.
For reservations, call Starwood, (888) 488-3535, or visit www.sheratonkeauhou.com. -- M.M.