Maui

Makena Beach and Golf Resort Status Update

It has been a while since you last heard from me about the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. Now that the ownership has changed hands, there are a few tidbits that you may find interesting.

The beach in front of the resort is absolutely amazing. View my gallery of Makena Beach Homes

The resort (with 310 rooms) as viewed by some, is too small to be profitable. That goes back to the original developers purpose for the resort. Seibu, which was one of the largest businesses in Japan, built the Maui Prince (now known at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort) to entertain Seibu’s friend, the prime minister of Japan. It wasn’t always a priority to fill the rooms so they kept the room count down. In the early years of the Maui Prince a friend of mine worked there. He said that many times the employees would have to scramble to relocate guests because one of Seibu’s “guests” would be visiting. Must be nice to own a hotel as a guest house! However, I digress. There had been plans at one point to expand the hotel but it seems that is not a priority with the new owners for now. Their goal is to keep the hotel open, even though it may not be a big moneymaker. Plans are to use some available cash to refresh parts of the hotel and reopen part of the closed South golf course.

Makena Golf Course with world famous lava formation in the background.

Sources say that the direction for developing the resort into an uber luxury property have been scrapped….at least for now. There is a void in the $200-$250 range in the area. Wailea resorts command over $400/night. Why not take advantage of that void, I say. Adding another hotel on the site is an option. That, in my opinion, would solve the low room count problem and could possibly be a vehicle for a more luxurious resort. The development plans that are being considered include scaled back density as well as housing for workers.

Some of the players recently mentioned are; Trinity Investments (an international hotel operator), AREA Property Partners (oversees real estate funds and joint ventures) and Stanford Carr Developments LLC (overseeing future development).

So for those of you who have been concerned as to what will happen to the hotel, well you can keep your reservations because the Makena Beach and Golf Resort is sticking around. I personally hope that the developers will be sensitive to the needs of the community. It appears from early signs that they will be thoughtful partner.

If you are a new reader and do not know the history of the hotel and the foreclosure process, please read these blogs to bring you up to speed:

Makena Beach and Golf Resort, Going Once, Twice, Sold! Part 1

Makena Beach and Golf Resort, Going Once, Twice, Sold! Part 2

View my gallery of Makena Beach Homes

Contact me for more information on the Makena area

Source:  The Maui News 9/1/10

Comments (6) Show CommentsHide Comments (Remember)

Cool. Add your comment...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private, this form is secure and we never spam you.

Business & Bar For Sale

June 4, 2011

Where do I find businesses for sale?

Business & Bar For Sale

June 4, 2011

Where do I find businesses for sale?

junk removal lancaster

September 17, 2011

I must examine with you here, which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in studying a post that will make people think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark!

junk removal lancaster

September 17, 2011

I must examine with you here, which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in studying a post that will make people think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark!

Ken Molina R(S)

September 17, 2011

I hope you enjoyed the post. I update on the hotel from time to time so stay tuned.

Ken Molina R(S)

September 17, 2011

I hope you enjoyed the post. I update on the hotel from time to time so stay tuned.

More Articles from Hawaii Life