Kona hotel’s ‘renewal’ near completion

By Dena Cassella

Island Sun Weekly—

Photo courtesy of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa and Current Events Hawaii.

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa on the Kona Coast announced it is almost finished with its most recent renovations. Formerly the Kona Surf Hotel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts now own the coastal resort.

The hotel is planning its official “reintroduction” as a new and improved Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa with special offers and rates. A statement released by the hotel says it’s offering a special of $129 (Mountain View) room per night for bookings made between August 4 and September 30, 2012, and for stays during August 4, 2012 through March 31, 2013.

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa underwent a seven-month, $16 million renewal. Structural and aesthetic enhancements were made to the guestrooms, public areas, and meeting spaces. The hotel brought in renowned Hilo designer Sig Zane to incorporate culturally based designs into various aspects of the décor and communal areas.

“We are passionate about Hawaii’s culture, history and community,” said Steve Lindburg, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa general manager. “We have invested considerable resources not only into revitalization of the resort’s physical plant but also into efforts to better connect our guests with this area’s rich history and culture so that we might share more meaningful, authentic experiences with them.”

The hotel says other improvements include complimentary historical and cultural tours and activities, new landscaping, refurbished port cochere, and the Silversword lobby bar, which will host daily Sheraton Social Hour wine tastings.

A new oceanfront “dining concept” will put the Sheraton  Keauhou Bay on the map as the only restaurant in the world with an “ocean side manta ray viewing.” On September 9, the Rays on the Bay restaurant diners can view the manta rays that gather right offshore to feed.

The resort’s name changes on September 1, 2012 to Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.