Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa
Starwood announced last week that it will lose three resort properties in French Polynesia this year. The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, Sheraton Moorea and Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (Luxury Collection) will carry the flags of other hotel brands at some point this year. This announcement followed a mutual agreement between Louis Wane, owner of the above mentioned resorts, and Starwood mutually agreed to end their management contract. On the plus side, not all will be lost in French Polynesia. Starwood plans on retaining the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Le Meridien Tahiti and Le Meridien Bora Bora.
W Honolulu (Diamond Head) leaving Starwood on Jan 9
While other W Hotels seem to be popping up all over the world (see blog posts on Hong Kong, Santiago, Scottsdale, Hollywood), Starwood will say a parting mahalo and aloha to the W Honolulu – Diamond Head in just a few days.
As displayed on the hotel website, “As of January 9, 2009, W Honolulu Diamond Head will no longer be a part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Management of the hotel will transfer to the owner Anekona W, LLC and the hotel will remain in operation under a new name. All existing and new room bookings will be honored, however the hotel will not be participating in any Starwood sponsored programs, including Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), airline partner, or other partner affinity programs. As a result, SPG points or airline miles will be awarded for hotels stay from January 9, 2009 and beyond. Thank you for your support and patronage.”
Yikes! If you’re going to Honolulu, or any of the French Polynesia Starwoods, I suggest you contact the hotel to make sure you know how they will be handling existing reservations. This is of particular importance if you booked using SPG Starpoints in any way.
Honestly, the W Honolulu was not the supermodel of the W family, but its location near Diamond Head gave this property a sense of privacy and serenity that the other Waikiki Starwoods could never provide. I remember taking a jog from the Westin Moana towards Diamond Head just to check out the W. The path along Waikiki Beach down Kalakaua Street and around Kapialani Park wore me out, but thankfully the W provided a much needed pit stop complete with a refreshing ginger infused water in the living room.
W Honolulu (Diamond Head) Living Room in Nov 2007
