In Hawaii and past, Aqua-Aston Hospitality is wanting ahead to a robust and thrilling 2024. New experiences have just lately been launched at a number of Aloha State properties, in addition to at resorts in Arizona and Costa Rica, preserving issues recent for friends. And this 12 months, the corporate will increase its footprint within the continental U.S. with a dual-branded property in Tempe, Ariz.
We just lately chatted with Theresa van Greunen, assistant vice chairman of company communications for Aqua-Aston Hospitality, to study what the corporate has been as much as just lately, what’s going to be sizzling within the 12 months forward and extra. Listed below are the highlights.
Initially, what’s new at Aqua-Aston’s Hawaii properties?
Journey advisors can e book shoppers at just lately renovated properties together with Aqua Palms Waikiki, named certainly one of Oahu’s Finest Boutique Accommodations by Hawaii Journal in 2023, and Aston Waikiki Circle Resort, positioned simply steps from world-famous Waikiki Seashore. Guests will love the refreshed look and luxury each properties supply with up to date in-room furnishings and facilities.
Throughout our properties, we’ve additionally taken steps to reinforce our friends’ accountable journey expertise, from eliminating single-use plastics to forging partnerships with the Honolulu Museum of Artwork and the Bishop Museum to supply friends complimentary visits and the possibility to study Hawaii’s heritage by way of partaking reveals.
Credit score: 2024 Aqua-Aston Hospitality
On the property stage, Espacio The Jewel of Waikiki debuted an all-new breakfast expertise at its five-star restaurant, Mugen, that includes an elevated loco moco with A5 Wagyu and a lobster eggs benedict. The restaurant will quickly introduce a reimagined dinner expertise, as nicely.
How about updates for accommodations outdoors of Hawaii?
In Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, at Adero Scottsdale Resort, out of doors lovers can now e book guided mountaineering and mountain biking excursions by way of REI Co-Op to completely expertise the 400 miles of trails extending from the property.
And Botanika Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica simply celebrated its one-year anniversary and unveiled signature seashore membership experiences, together with guided birdwatching and a rainforest cruise alongside Golfo Dulce for extra up-close encounters with nature.
Wanting forward, what are the corporate’s plans for 2024 (and past)?
We’re excited to increase our footprint within the continental United States with dual-branded Fairfield Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites Accommodations in Tempe, Arizona — slated to debut in early 2024. We’re working with California-based EKN Improvement to carry the four-story property to life, which is able to embody an Previous West-inspired restaurant known as The Means Station, an out of doors pool, spacious suites and extra. The property’s prime location in Tempe’s downtown is near Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, Arizona State College and quite a few sports activities venues, making it a great dwelling away from dwelling for a various buyer base.
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Aqua-Aston has lengthy been a part of the Hawaii tourism scene — how is the corporate persevering with to help Maui in its wildfire restoration efforts?
The devastating Maui fires impacted many Aqua-Aston associates, with some dropping their family members, houses and private belongings. Aqua-Aston is dedicated to serving to the group get well, and has supported aid organizations together with the Hawaii Neighborhood Basis’s Maui Sturdy Fund and the American Purple Cross for the reason that fires broke out. Our firm jumped into motion shortly after the fires and held brand-wide donation drives to gather important gadgets. As a part of Marriott Holidays Worldwide (MVW), Aqua-Aston friends and associates have additionally had the chance to present on to impacted colleagues by supporting MVW’s Firm Reduction Fund.
Sustainability is a longstanding tenet for the model, particularly in Hawaii — how are you persevering with, and even perhaps accelerating, this dedication?
We just lately accomplished the shift to bulk lavatory facilities with Resort Emporium throughout our properties, saving 5.5 million single-use plastics from our annual operations. It’s been over six years since our #ForOurReef reef-safe sunscreen public schooling marketing campaign started, and we’re nonetheless going sturdy. This initiative has develop into a core pillar of the Aqua-Aston Hospitality model, and we proceed to coach friends on accountable tourism in Hawaii by equipping them with reef-safe sunscreen from native manufacturers, similar to Little Arms Hawaii, in addition to with reusable tote baggage and water bottles.
![Theresa van Greunen, assistant vice president of corporate communications for Aqua-Aston Hospitality Theresa van Greunen, assistant vice president of corporate communications for Aqua-Aston Hospitality](https://ik.imgkit.net/3vlqs5axxjf/TAW/ik-seo/uploadedImages/All_Gateways/Hawaii/Hotel_Reviews/AquaAstonQA_Theresa/Theresa-van-Greunen-assistant-vice-president-of-co.jpg?tr=w-768%2Ch-432%2Cfo-auto)
Credit score: 2024 Aqua-Aston Hospitality
Espacio The Jewel of Waikiki, a five-star boutique luxurious resort we handle on Oahu, is the newest participant, by way of its new partnership with Challenge Reef. Challenge Reef sunscreen is made in Hawaii and is on the market on a complimentary foundation to Espacio friends in suites and on the resort’s rooftop infinity pool.
We see quite a lot of surveys that point out vacationers are taking sustainability extra severely than ever earlier than. Do you see that amongst your friends?
We’ve discovered that our friends are valuing sustainable journey experiences now greater than earlier than. That is particularly the case with these visiting Hawaii, as each locals and vacationers need to protect the land and tradition, so individuals can proceed having fun with the islands for years to come back.
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Are you seeing any rising developments for 2024? What are your bookings indicating for the 12 months forward?
We’re seeing demand for our spacious suites and are discovering that our clients are choosing longer stays in condominium-style properties that permit them to remain collectively as a bunch, with facilities similar to full kitchens, washer/dryers and spacious dwelling areas. General, trip rental condominium models have continued to rise in reputation throughout Hawaii — accounting for 19% of all lodging within the vacation spot and marking a 13.5% enhance since 2019. As a model, we provide essentially the most inexpensive, multi-bed condominium suites in Hawaii, and we’re excited to proceed investing in our condominium resort and trip rental program into 2024.