After five years of operating as part of the Holiday Inn chain, an
east Kauai resort has decided to venture out on its own. Formerly
Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Kauai, the hotel was renamed Aloha
Beach Resort on July 8.
“When our five-year-contract with Holiday Inn ended, our owners
had enough confidence in the property to go independent,” said
Gordon Kiyabu, sales and marketing director.
But the hotel’s independent status comes with its own set of
challenges, Kiyabu said.
“We can no longer hang our name on a well-known hook, and Kauai
is not as popular as Maui or Oahu, so we’re marketing not just the
hotel, but Kauai as a whole.”
With that in mind, Kiyabu plans to participate in joint
promotions with Kauai Visitors Bureau whenever possible.
The 216-room Aloha Beach Resort is located on Wailua Bay, a
destination steeped in Hawaiian culture and history. Near the
hotel, visitors can see evidence of the area’s past, including
heiau (ancient Hawaiian temples), a City of Refuge where
lawbreakers could find immunity, and Kauai’s only petroglyphs.
“We want to show our guests why this part of Kauai is so rich,”
Kiyabu said, “so we’re re-educating our staff to be
storytellers.”
Three mornings each week, the hotel will offer a presentation on
the legends, history and cultural significance of the area.
“We’re also contracting with craftspeople to come in each day
people who have lived in the area and who can tell interesting
stories about it,” Kiyabu said. “We’re offering a genuine
interaction between locals and guests, to help people appreciate
the destination.”
Next to the resort is Lydgate Park, a popular Kauai gathering
place for surfing, body boarding and other watersports. The park
features protected snorkeling, a children’s swimming area and a
playground close to the beach. Kiyabu is developing a plan to bring
travel agents to the property, with a particular emphasis on
Western and Midwestern U.S. markets.
Fam Plans
“Agents need to experience this place,” Kiyabu said. “We have
more than just a beach and aloha spirit. We offer true
Hawaiiana.”
The oceanside resort, which went through a $23 million
renovation five years ago, features two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi,
a fitness room, tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard. It offers a
supervised children’s program. Dining options range from a
full-service restaurant and lounge to a poolside snack bar and
grill.
For groups, the hotel’s three meeting areas include the
750-square-foot Piikoi Room, the 1,600-square-foot Alii Room and
the 1,872-square-foot Plumeria Garden Court, a semi-open banquet
space with a stage and an adjacent lawn.
Rates, Packages
Room rates start at $198, with suites priced from $258. The
resort’s 26 two-room villas start at $363 per night.
Guests under 19 stay free, and children under 12 eat free each
evening when dining with a parent in the restaurant.
The Travel Agent Special, good on bookings through Dec. 20, pays
20% commission when a $150 oceanview room is booked.
The resort’s three-night romance package includes a bottle of
champagne and turndown service the first evening, three day’s use
of a rental car and dinner for two. Rates range from $525 to
$695.
Call 888-823-5111.
E-mail: info@abrkauai. com.
Fax: 808-823-6666.