NEW YORK—Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. plans to overhaul its Waikiki properties to include the repositioning and rebranding of the Moana Surfrider to a Westin, according to reports, and also plans to shift the entrance of its Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The renovation project concentrates on Starwood’s four Kyo-ya Co. Ltd.-owned hotels in Waikiki, and includes the Sheraton Waikiki, the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. The cost of the project is estimated at $400 million. The renovations are expected to be complete in 2009. The June 1 rebranding of the historic Sheraton Moana Surfrider into the Westin Moana Surfrider will coincide with guestroom renovations, a lobby facelift and other upgrades, according to the report. A full-service spa will go into the Surfrider Tower and a Westin Kids Club also will be added. The historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel also will undergo extensive renovations. The entrance reportedly will be moved to accommodate the expansion of the resorts Royal Gardens and a new porte cochere will be added. Starwood also may renovate the hotels pool deck and beach region as well as its Surf Room Restaurant, Mai Tai Bar and Monarch Room, and expand the Abhasa Waikiki Spas outdoor treatment rooms. In addition, the 1,400-room Sheraton Waikiki is in the process of getting upgrades to its porte cochere, lobby and check-in area. A fantasy pool and open air-recreation center also is on the drawing board. that will utilize the open space freed up between the Sheraton Waikiki and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel as a result of other renovations. Renovations at the Princess Kaiulani are still tentative, but owners have discussed creating a multi-level shopping village, said reports
