The Resort At Kapalua Bay In Maui Joins Marriott, Will Grow to be St. Regis In 2027

The St. Regis model is making a comeback to Hawaii, with the conversion of a property that has enormous lodging…

The Resort at Kapalua Bay becoming a member of St. Regis model

Marriott has signed an settlement with Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Companions to have the Resort at Kapalua Bay be a part of Marriott’s portfolio. So, how quickly is that this all taking place?

Marriott’s administration of the resort has began as of March 14, 2026, with out belonging to any specific Marriott model. Because of that, Marriott Bonvoy members have a factors and standing angle (nonetheless, I’m undecided about factors redemptions, because of the varieties of lodging). The property will now endure a renovation (throughout which period it can stay open), earlier than becoming a member of the St. Regis portfolio in some unspecified time in the future in 2027.

For these not acquainted, the Resort at Kapalua Bay was managed by luxurious resort group Montage, however they seemingly just lately misplaced their contract for the property. It’s situated on Maui’s northwest coast, and sits on 25 acres of oceanfront property, throughout the bigger Kapalua Resort group. It’s additionally lower than a mile from the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay.

The resort options 146 lodging, and so they’re all multi-bedroom, ocean view residences. All residences have two, three, or 4 bedrooms, and vary from 1,774 to 4,050 sq. ft. So it’s attention-grabbing to have a St. Regis the place all lodging are multi-bedroom residences.

The resort presents a 40,000 sq. foot spa with 19 therapy rooms and ocean-view wellness amenities, a number of out of doors swimming pools (together with a multi-tiered, cascading lagoon pool), and entry to a championship stage golf course and tennis courts.

Charges on the property at present begin at round $2,500 per evening (that features the $185 per evening resort payment — ouch!), however go up considerably from there. That’s in fact very costly, however let me emphasize these are all multi-bedroom models.

For what it’s price, whereas this isn’t but technically a part of considered one of Marriott’s luxurious portfolios, the resort does already belong to Marriott STARS, which might be one of the simplest ways to ebook, to get perks like a resort credit score, breakfast, and so forth.

As soon as this turns into a St. Regis, it marks the model’s return to Hawaii. In 2022, we noticed the previous St. Regis Princeville Resort rebrand because the 1 Lodge Hanalei Bay.

I’d say it is a typically optimistic growth

It’s all the time attention-grabbing after we see luxurious properties rebrand, given what’s typically happening within the background. Typically the key resort teams with loyalty applications choose up properties this fashion, whereas generally they lose properties this fashion.

For instance, we just lately noticed St. Regis lose its Puerto Rico property to 4 Seasons, whereas now we’re seeing St. Regis acquire a property by way of a conversion. Fairly truthfully, my common take with these conversions is as follows:

• It’s all the time good when a conversion additionally contains an funding in renovating a property, and that appears to be happening right here
• All else being equal, I in fact choose when a resort belongs to a serious loyalty program, so I can earn and redeem factors, and make the most of elite perks
• I additionally know that Marriott managing a luxurious property typically isn’t good for service requirements, a deal with visitor expertise, and so forth.

On this case, I’d say that is optimistic, for the reason that property shall be bettering (by way of a renovation), and we’ll acquire new choices for factors and loyalty perks. What we’re seeing with the Resort at Kapalua Bay is similar to what we just lately noticed on the Resort at Pelican Hill, which can be now being managed by Marriott, and can turn out to be a St. Regis after an in depth renovation.

Backside line

Marriott is taking up administration of the Resort at Kapalua Bay. Whereas it’s already bookable by way of Marriott, the plan is for the resort to endure a renovation, after which formally be branded as a St. Regis as of 2027. It is a huge win for Marriott and fairly a loss for Montage, and I’m curious to see what the resort appears like after a renovation.

Admittedly this received’t be for everybody, not simply when it comes to the commonly excessive worth level of luxurious motels in Maui, but in addition when it comes to all lodging right here having a number of bedrooms.

What do you make of the St. Regis model returning to Maui?