Latest news today on what will soon be the former Kauai Marriott. Starting March 24, the iconic hotel will be rebranded as the Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue.
Back in December, Sonesta announced the addition of 102 properties and is now one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the U.S. with a total of nearly 300 properties. They have a very aggressive growth plan that will require excellent management.
Their website gives very few details and now says only that they are “Assuming operation of this Kauai resort hotel this spring. Reservations are now available for stays beginning March 24th, 2021. We are confident you’ll enjoy the same guest-focused Sonesta experience when you visit our new location.” Will the hotel continue to be a quarantine and Kauai bubble resort?
We are also awaiting more news about the re-employment of Marriott’s prior 457 employees, who were terminated. In January, we learned about that when we received a copy of a WARN notification letter sent to the State of Hawaii Department of Labor from the Kauai Marriott. It said that effective on or about March 1, the hotel will cease operating as a Marriott and, “This transition will result in terminations of employment with the company for all of the hotel’s 457 employees.” What wasn’t clear then or now is what is happening on the Sonesta side of this deal since they are the new owners and management company.
As you recall, the property’s owner, Services Properties Trust (SPT), terminated its agreement after Marriott failed to make payments due. It then began its transition to become the first Sonesta resort in Hawaii. What happened, what’s going on now, and what does the future hold for the iconic behemoth, Kauai Marriott, at Kalapaki Bay pictured above?
Months ago, Sonesta’s president said, “We’ve been doing the design work for the Kauai Marriott, which will transition to Sonesta…We’ll be renovating that hotel in the second half of next year.” We have not heard anything further about Sonesta’s plans to renovate their new Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue.
Now a quarantine hotel/Kauai resort bubble.
The resort has been operating as a hotel for quarantine, meaning you can’t leave the property or even step foot on the beach (the grassy area is fine, apparently, though). After completing the required 10-day quarantine, you are free to explore Kauai under the current law. The only problem there is that Kauai vacations average only 7 days.
It has also been operating as a resort bubble under the 3-night quarantine requirement.
$297/night starting rate.Â
The cheapest rate we found for booking on Sonesta’s website is at a rate of $297/night. If you are coming on a 3-night resort bubble stay, the cost, including room, taxes/fees, and any “security bracelet” fee, will well exceed $1,000.
What about Marriott timeshare?
We have had a huge number of comments regarding the hotel and its major time-share component. Many of the comments are from the timeshare owners.
This resort is primarily time-share, with only one wing being a pure hotel. Sonesta is taking over managing the hotel section only. Because both the hotel and time-share units co-occupy much of the overall property, this could still be complicated to sort out and keep funded. There are nightly and annual charges for time-share owners that help keep the property going.
About Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort.
The 356-room Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue, aka Kauai Marriott Resort, is a mega-resort beautifully placed overlooking Kalapaki Beach on Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue. It is just five minutes from the airport. The first hotel there was the Kauai Surf Hotel, which opened in 1960. The iconic Westin Kauai replaced that in 1987 with its famous lagoons, then by the Kauai Marriott in 1995 following Hurricane Iniki.
The property operates under two names, which is confusing. The hotel component had been known as the Kauai Marriott Resort, whereas the time-share part is still called Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club.
In addition to beautifully landscaped grounds, the resort has one of the largest swimming pools in Hawaii. Although the resort shows its age and features arguably lackluster architecture replete with statuary, rooms are generally spacious, with lanai. It has five restaurants, and a wide range of on-site resort activities is available on-site. Ballrooms and conference facilities are also abundant. Its former Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course has become part of the new adjacent Timbers Resort.
Updated 3/1/21.
I have been an owner at the Kauai Beach Club for 22 years. Because of Covid, we have not been there for 4 years. We came in October 2022 and were so disappointed with the Sonesta takeover. Marriott ow ers are treated like second class citizens. All of the previous perks are gone. I am afraid the value of resale has plummeted. I almost do not want to return. Please do an update of the status of this property.
Sonesta has made some positive changes, but not enough to change the feel of the place. I was there during the transition and have felt he changes. In general it is not the same level.
You can tell with the guest experience. Sonesta has not figured out Hawaii. A lot of this comes down to the lack of mgmt. experience that Sonesta C-Level and the PE firms has with luxury hotels. You cannot apply the Miami model and expect the polices to work. The PE firm that owned the Kauai beach club property would have been better off making a deal with Marriot then moving property over to Sonesta.
We will see what 2023 looks likes.
Not sure what positive changes you’ve seen – we really haven’t seen any changes except our ability to charge to our KBC villa via a credit card left with Sonesta. It’s been 6 months since we were there and didn’t really see anything different. And could you clarify your comment after mentioning the positive changes, “In general it’s not the same level.” The General Manager of the Sonesta used to be the GM for Marriott Kauai hotel and yes, we felt he never had a “feel” for Hawaii but he’s been there for years. What has changed?
We have owned at the KBC since 1995, almost 23 years. We’ve been back three times since Sonesta took over the hotel side. We’ve Never felt like “second class citizens”. We’ve heard others express your thoughts but they, as you, have never given any details as to why they felt that way. It’s the same beach, the same bay, the same views, the same staff. Based on the attitude those folks exhibited (can’t say the same for you because we only have your thoughts in writing), it seemed that they just wanted something to complain about! It seemed obvious that it was their attitude that made them feel that way. I hope that wasn’t the situation in your case but I’m sorry you feel that way. We certainly never have!
And I’m curious what “perks” you are referring to? The only thing we missed were the “events” like the Owners Social and the other things like lei making (which we had to pay for). Now that you can charge to your room (via a card left with Sonesta), what else do you feel is no longer available?
The fact that I have to leave a credit card on file with Sonesta is ridiculous. I chose not to use any of their facilities such as the bars and on site restaurants. Why should I have to hand over my credit information to them. The Mahalo Mugs are gone. The daily newsletter is gone. The units are very bland now, just white walls. The Hawaiian feel is gone. Handicapped valet parking is gone. Now they want you to pay $40 per night. The Sonesta guests hang there towels over the balcony railings make that building look like a tenement from the pool area.
Thomas P… First, you do not need to “hand over” your credit information to Sonesta unless you are going to use facilities such as bar or restaurant which you indicated you would not do so why do you care! Second, you said it’s been 4 years since you’ve been there – the “daily newsletter has been gone for at least 10 years! Third, paying for “valet parking” has been in place for at least that long, maybe not at $40 but still, it has nothing to do with Sonesta! Fourth, I 100% agree with you about the towels but suggest you recall that owners also have that disgusting habit. (In fact, we even encountered an owner who had moved a roll-out bed onto their first floor lanai! Fifth, if the “mug” meant much to you, you have a “small stuff” issue!
And as for the decor – I completely agree with you but suggest that you remember that is the KBC Board of Directors who directed that decor – in fact, the Board even sent one of the members to New Jersey to meet with “Corporate” whose hired “designer” is the one who dictates the decor. (I’ve been on one of the MVCI Boards so I know how little the resort has to say about it.)
And finally… regarding the $40/night for handicapped valet parking… I have a handicapped validation – if I’m having a bad day, my husband drops me off at the portico and then goes and parks for $0/night! If you are both handicapped, I’m sorry but I have no option to offer. We always used Valet Parking not for the convenience but for the option to tip the guys.
Stayed at Marriott Beach Club and it is beautiful there.
I stayed at the Kauai Surf hotel on my honeymoon long ago. You can’t forget the view of that bay. Is this the same building(s) or did they replace the 1960s structures?
Jack N. Sorry for the erroneous info I typed in on Feb 1st. I must have been been looking at some older information. Not a very encouraging report from Art. Hope it starts to sort out.
JACK N… First, as you can see from my post below, Art’s information is mostly incorrect and/or not understandable (what is “secure” internet at a hotel!?!?!). And second, it reflects how he felt not how he was made to feel! We never felt that way on our last visit.
A total failure in integration. One can’t even charge a cup of coffee to your room, and check-in/out is down the escalator , where one feels like a second class citizen with clerks that seem ill-prepared.
I was even told…;” we don’t have secure internet, and in fact no hotels do. I checked with the “Royal Sonesta and of course they have secure interest for a price, but not for the Marriott guests.
I guess they are trying to drive away the Marriott Time-share owners, or maybe, vice versa.
ART N… First, you can charge a cup of coffee to your room. You just need to leave a credit card with Sonesta. Second, check in/out has always been “down the escalator” – just now it is on the other side of the garden. And You are the only one who can make yourself feel like a “second class citizen”. Third, you have internet. You can go down to the lobby and pay for Sonesta “secure” internet (whatever that is)! The property is still gorgeous and you are still on Kauai. Get over it!!!
Barbara,
If you don’t know what secure internet is then there is nothing more for me to say, except wakeup to 2022.
Aloha Jack!
All you need is proof of your vaccination and your booster shot. Have a wonderful vacation in Paradise!
For the life of me I do not understand the bureaucrat’s Covid policy on Hawaii. My wife and I have been dying to come back for a visit to our time share. But the 10 day quarantine will not fly for us as our vacation will almost be over. Logically, proof of full vaccination, including booster, along with a valid negative Covid test prior to departure and maybe upon arrival, should be sufficient to avoid this lockdown. We feel for the poor residents having to endure the economic hardship!!!!
Did something change? As far as I can tell, you don’t need to quarantine if you received your vax and booster.
What is complicated for this kauai beach club is that the time share has deeded property, and the sonesta hotel ( as I understand it) is a lease. I need to look at my property documents.
The first thing I notice with sonesta, is that sonesta plays elevator music, where the Marriott Vacation Club side plays Hawaiian music.
It is interesting to see if sonesta will be able to scale. The jury is out on this one. Not to impressed so far with the sonesta side