WAILUA — The Hilton Garden Inn has work going on, but is open to guests, said Mariko Harper, the resort’s director of sales. Harper’s position is one of the new facets to the Hilton resort which now occupies the footprint
WAILUA — The Hilton Garden Inn has work going on, but is open to guests, said Mariko Harper, the resort’s director of sales.
Harper’s position is one of the new facets to the Hilton resort which now occupies the footprint of the former Aston Aloha Beach Resort in Wailua.
Also new to the resort is a fitness room which formerly was the meeting room.
“This property has never had a fitness center,” Harper said. “It’s the little things like this that make a big difference to guests.
The other section of the meeting room has been opened up and became the dining area with a breakfast buffet nook called The Garden Grille & Bar.
Leroy Lagmay, the resort’s food and beverage manager, along with hotel manager Ray Blouin, are among those carried over from the former resort.
“We appreciate having those employees,” Harper said. “They know what the public wants and do a great job helping the Hilton establish itself as a community partner.”
The registration desk has been relocated to the ocean side of the lobby, which features new colors, designs, and layout treatments.
“We started accepting guests as soon as we received our occupancy papers,” Harper said. “We have guests staying with us. Construction is still going on in one section and landscaping work is being done to give guests a sense of place, but we are accepting reservations.”
The Hilton Garden Inn offers 216 rooms, including 26 rooms in duplex setups from 13 cottages which are adjacent to the Lydgate Park and Kamalani Playground.
While work on the formal dining room continues, guests can enjoy meals from the arrangement in the lobby area which leads to the Kuhio Ballroom, Conservatory, and Business Center.
The ballroom features a capacity of 240 people while the conservatory can be used as a smaller meeting room.
The Lions Club of Hawaii, District 50, is scheduled to host its state convention during the May 7 weekend, Harper said.
“We had about 20 of them here to try the food, take the tour of the resort, and get acquainted with the property,” Harper said. “Currently, they said there are more than 100 Lions scheduled to attend. We’ve already booked 100 rooms, and more reservations are coming in. The Lions will be our first convention in this new resort.”
The Hilton Garden Inn is working with the Kauai Chamber of Commerce to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony, April 27. It will also host a Kauai Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on June 7.
