*excerpts from this post from The Maui News, USA TODAY ONLINE
Maui’s luxurious Grand Wailea resort – part of Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria brand – is officially moving forward with a $250 million renovation and expansion.The renovation will add 300 rooms and expand the resort’s pool areas.
The expansion will include the construction of a new, four-story and two-story extension of the hotel’s Molokini Wing, two- and three-story wing additions to its Lagoon Wing, a new Waikea Mauka Wing, a new guest wing and additional parking stallsThe expansion will bring the total number of rooms to 1,100.
Current location of Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Restaurant and Lagoon will be replaced by the expansion
The hotel’s plans were initially approved in 2009, but intervenors sought to reduce the height of the planned expansion and wanted more extensive archaeological testing on its grounds. The issues were resolved through mediation and paved the way for Tuesday’s approval of the project.
The Grand Wailea is one of the premier resorts in the world and the renovations and expansion will allow it to remain competitive in the luxury hotel business. Work on the hotel will also provide much needed relief to a local construction industry that was savaged by the recession.
While no starting date has been given for the work, it is estimated the whole project will take five to six years to complete.
The 20-year-old resort currently has 1,500 employees.
Committing to this project shows a strong belief by the Grand Wailea that the visitor industry will continue to recover and thrive on Maui. It is the type of vote of confidence that should inspire others to invest here.
In a 4/13 USA TODAY article, managing director of the Grand Wailea, Matthew Bailey was interviewed about the expansion and what is means for guests…
“We have renovated most spaces of the hotel over the years, with the rooms redone as recently as three years ago,” he says. “It’s important for us to reinvent ourselves, to stay top of mind.”
The goal, he says, is to stay relevant in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world.
For more information on properties in Wailea Maui contact Meghan Clair of Coldwell Banker Island Properties-The Shops at Wailea Office
Meghan Clair
Realtor (S), EcoBroker
Coldwell Banker Island Properties
MauiGreenRealEstate@Gmail.com
(808) 874-8668 office
(808) 463-8485 cell
