Waikoloa Beach Marriott takes a step up in class with redo

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa recently completed a $50 million renovation, which was designed to attract higher-spending clientele. The transformation is immediately apparent to repeat guests, starting with a new entrance that fronts a new ballroom, a clue that Marriott hopes to increase its incentives business. Even more alluring are the expansive ocean views from the once cave-like lobby. 

The integration of hotel and setting also plays out in the new pool and lounge area, which connects to the beach, fitness center, restaurant and spa.

It's a convenient layout that makes the hotel easy to navigate. The setting has also been integrated in guest rooms, most of which have ocean views.

Since the hotel faces west, that's a plus at sunset, when the sun sinks behind the palm trees lining the fishponds. Footpaths meandering among those fishponds, as well as some ancient Polynesian ruins, lead to the crescent sands of palm-lined Anaehoomalu Beach. 

"The setting is what makes this hotel special," said Peter Thoene, director of sales and marketing for the Waikoloa Marriott. "The beach is spacious, the water clear and the sunsets spectacular. We feel that we've created a property that's a match for the setting." 

Location has proven a strong asset in all the hotel's incarnations since it opened in the late 1970s as the Sheraton Royal Waikoloan.

Outrigger bought the property, its first on the Neighbor Islands, in 1998, closing it the following year for a $25.5 million redevelopment.

The resort reopened in 1999 as the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach.

In 2002, Outrigger signed a franchise agreement with Marriott, rebranding the property as the Waikoloa Beach Marriott.

Two years later, the resort was sold to Blackstone Real Estate Advisors of New York, which maintained the management contract with Marriott and committed the money used for the resort upgrade.

In addition to the ballroom and pool, a Mandara Spa was added, along with extensive new lounge areas. All were designed to give the hotel a relaxed feel that takes aim at the upscale market. 

Guest rooms have received full makeovers. Although the rooms are a bit small, they've been stylishly redecorated. They are equipped with high-speed Internet.

In addition to rooms in the hotel's two main wings, there are also 20 spacious, low-rise cabanas with unobstructed views of the fishponds and ocean that rival those from the best upper floor rooms. 

While guest beds are quite comfortable, the quilts provided more cover than comfort, a problem at many properties in Hawaii that have recently gone upscale.

Bathrooms are compact but attractive, with nice detailing and quality amenities.

The new pool, heated and open into the evenings, is actually a cluster of pools, with the largest a long, infinity pool. There are pools for toddlers and older children, as well.

The Mandara Spa provides beauty treatments and a full range of massage options. Many guests avail themselves of the latter after a workout in the well-used fitness center.

While the resort sits on 17 acres of expansive lawns, a compact layout makes navigating the property quick and easy. No facility, from pool to beach to restaurant to spa to fitness center, is more than a five-minute walk away.

Extensive new lounge areas have been added, including a coffee bar that is adjacent to an outdoor deck fitted with comfortable seating and two fire pits.

The area was designed to provide an appealing outdoor setting for an after-dinner drink or a nighttime look at the stars. 

Activity-wise, several large catamarans are anchored just offshore, making snorkeling, diving and sunset sails easy options. Meanwhile, a beachfront activity desk rents gear for snorkeling and paddleboats.

Shuttle service links the hotel to Waikoloa's two golf courses, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Beach Course and the links-style King's Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish.

The upgrades to the Marriott's dining options have met with high praise.

Hawaii Calls, the hotel's only restaurant, serves great breakfasts, including a daily buffet; delicious lunches (there's also poolside service); and dinners worthy of an encore.

There are a number of off-property dining options at the nearby King's Shops, a short walk or hotel shuttle ride away, that range from fast food to upscale dining, including Roy's and Merriman's.

The Queens' Marketplace, which is scheduled to open later this year, will double Waikoloa's dining and shopping options, in addition to adding a "cultural garden" and "performance garden" that will be able to accommodate up to 4,000 people.   

Nightly rack rates at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott range from $425 for a gardenview or mountainview room to $600 for one of the spacious cabanas; a "leisure rate" being promoted through Dec. 31 starts at $279.

There is a $20-per-day resort fee that covers a range of services, including daily mai tais, free Internet and no hotel surcharge for interisland and mainland phone calls.

Deals include the Hawaiian Sand Dollar package, which gets guests one free night and daily breakfast for two.

With the upgrades, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott is taking a four-star position in the market with a mix of vacationers and incentive travelers. 

"We're not that big a hotel, so we think the incentive side of group business suits us best," said Thoene.

"We're offering a new vacation style and relaxed, contemporary elegance, with the plus of a staff who have been with the hotel for a long time."

To contact reporter Allan Seiden, send e-mail to [email protected].