After several years of rumors, press releases, and delays, the Princeville Resort announced this week that beginning Sept. 19, 2008, they will be closing during renovations to re-brand the hotel as The St. Regis Resort, part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts luxury series.
Pool view from the St. Regis Monarch in California
The marble lobby of the Princeville Hotel,
which is expected to be replaced with Hawaiian hardwoods.
Princeville managment cited recent economic conditions as having prompted the hotels decision to close rather than stay open during the renovations. The renovation will completely transform the 252-room hotel, including a redesign of the guest rooms, renovated public areas like the lobby and swimming pool and addition of an on-site luxury spa.
The 366 employees along with many independent contractors including local musicians may be out of work during the time period of the renovation. Let's hope the seven-month estimate is being rendered on mainland time and NOT Hawaiian Standard Time.... My notion is that this untimely closing will put added duress on the Princeville real estate market. Many tourists who buy here stay at the Princeville hotel. We'll see what happens this fall.
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