PRINCEVILLE — Arriving in limos and greeted with lei and hugs, 290 employees of the St. Regis Princeville Resort were welcomed back to work in style Wednesday morning. “The idea was to make them feel special and like St. Regis’
PRINCEVILLE — Arriving in limos and greeted with lei and hugs, 290 employees of the St. Regis Princeville Resort were welcomed back to work in style Wednesday morning.
“The idea was to make them feel special and like St. Regis’ guests,” said St. Regis Princeville Resort General Manager Milton Sgarbi in a phone interview Wednesday.
Over 96 percent of the returning staff are reportedly from the former Princeville Resort, which officially closed its doors Sept. 19, 2008.
“We’re so grateful they came back,” Sgarbi said.
Describing it as a touching moment, he said employees held hands in the newly renovated lobby of the luxury Starwood-brand hotel during a ceremonial blessing of the property, while a few familiar faces even had tears in their eyes.
Following their morning presentation, previously furloughed employees, as well as newcomers, officially began their new journey with “brand cultural training,” which is expected to continue until the grand opening Oct. 1.
To help them along the way, kama‘aina are being offered a discount beginning Sept. 26 to help “get services back up to speed,” Sgarbi said.
Hawai‘i residents are invited to stay at the resort until Sept. 30 at a rate of $195 per night, not just to experience the luxury resort first-hand, but so employees can polish up their skills, he said.
Right now is “like classroom training” and employees will eventually progress to “live simulations” where they will act as guests, enjoying everything from spa services to restaurant dining, Sgarbi said.
“The staff is the biggest asset we have,” he said. “The only reason guests will return is because we provide exceptional service and that’s the role the staff will be playing.”
This is just one of the reasons that, despite visitor industry slowdown, the resort — transformed from a “popular, European marble-style” to a “very Hawaiian style” — will likely continue to attract guests from near and far, he said.
“The bookings are picking up as we confirm the opening,” he said. “We are very happy and confident that this corner of the island needs this product.”
Sgarbi added that people are also anticipating the resort’s upcoming grand opening events, which include an appearance by Mitzi Gaynor on Oct. 3 during a private evening gala.
“It’s amazing the information that has just started to circulate about it,” he said, regarding the “South Pacific” star’s arrival on the island for the first time since filming the movie. “We are already receiving calls asking about when she will be here.”
Parent company Starwood Hotels and Resorts reportedly owns some 900 properties, including the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, but only eight fall under the St. Regis brand worldwide, including the Princeville resort.
Guests can expect to pay anywhere from $195 to $5,000 per night for the rooms, which include 51 ocean-view suites with butler services.
After Sept. 30, kama‘aina rates will increase to $299 per night until Dec. 24.
For more information visit www.stregisprinceville.com.
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
