Outrigger Revives Plan to Buy Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay

Outrigger has revived its plan to acquire ownership of the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, a 509-room property in a prime oceanfront location on the Island of Hawaii.

The transaction is expected to close in late August 2021, at which time the property will be rebranded as Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to return to Hawaii Island with a full-service Outrigger resort and share the legacy of this remarkable place in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Jeff Wagoner, president and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “The COVID19 pandemic put this purchase on a brief pause, so we’re glad to be back on track and look forward to welcoming guests to our new home.”

The purchase of a new full-service resort in Kona underlines the hospitality company’s deep commitment to its home Hawaii market.

Other recent investments include Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort’s US$80 million transformation which is scheduled for completion at the end of this year and Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger’s US$35 million modernization, creating the first ‘craft’ hotel in Hawaii.

“Upon finalisation of the sale, we will begin outlining a property modernisation masterplan that is aligned with the local culture and further elevates the grounds and guest experience. We are pleased to resume our partnership with landowner Kamehameha Schools and enhance the property in a manner that honors the legacy of this land,” Wagoner added.

The lush 22-acre resort is perched prominently atop dramatic lava-rock cliffs and includes an oceanfront pool and waterslide, spa, wedding chapel, cultural centre, fitness centre, kids club, two restaurants and four indoor meeting venues – including a 10,000 square-foot (929m2) convention centre, the largest on the Kona Coast. The turquoise waters surrounding the resort are home to one of the only places in the world where people can regularly swim with manta rays.

Details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

See latest Travel Industry News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: Outrigger, Hawaii, Sheraton.