PRINCEVILLE — The Princeville Resort will close for seven months starting Sept. 19 during renovations to re-brand the hotel as The St. Regis Resort, part of parent company Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ luxury series. The temporary closure will furlough some
PRINCEVILLE — The Princeville Resort will close for seven months starting Sept. 19 during renovations to re-brand the hotel as The St. Regis Resort, part of parent company Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ luxury series.
The temporary closure will furlough some 366 employees. The hotel is scheduled to reopen April 19, 2009.
“Recent economic conditions have impacted our business levels, prompting a decision to close rather than remain open” General Manager Kelly Hoen said in a statement. “This approach will not only complete the renovation faster, but also get our associates back to work sooner.”
The resort notified Local 142 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents the workers, to assist staff through the transition.
ILWU Kaua‘i representative Tracy Takano said the union and hotel will meet regarding the details of the extended closure.
“Both parties are agreeable to as soon as possible discussing some protections and assurances for the workers,” Takano said.
The resort has not begun contract negotiations with ILWU, but Hoen said they “intend to bargain in good faith over the contract and the terms of the temporary closure.”
The Princeville Resort renovation will involve a complete transformation of the 252-room hotel, including a redesign of guest rooms and meeting function space, renovated public areas such as the lobby and swimming pool, new restaurant concepts and the addition of an on-site luxury spa.
Hotel management is currently developing plans to relocate any hotel reservations and catering functions that will be affected by the closure to a sister hotel property in Hawai‘i.
Princeville Resort spokeswoman Stephanie Reid said the company plans to reassign some employees to other Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i properties and will offer assistance in finding job openings, too.
There are nine Starwood hotels on O‘ahu, Maui and Big Island combined. The Sheraton Kauai Resort in Po‘ipu is currently the only Starwood property on Kaua‘i, although the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas opens in April.
