HONOLULU (September 2, l997) - Aston Hotels & Resorts has recently signed an agreement to manage Papakea Resort in Lahaina, Maui. Effective September 1, the property will be known as Aston at Papakea Resort.

Jerry Robertson will serve as general manager. In addition to handling Aston's rental program for its units at the resort, Robertson will guide Aston's management of the front desk and initially the association of apartment owners (AOAO). Robertson has been part of Aston's Maui ohana since 1984. He most recently served as general manager at Maui Kaanapali Villas. Prior to that, he was general manager at Mahana at Kaanapali.

Aston's latest management acquisition follows the addition of Aston at Poipu Kai on May 1 and is part of a long-range plan to diversify Aston's Hawaii collection with upscale properties. The management acquisition brings Aston's total inventory to eight properties on Maui and 31 properties statewide.

Aston at Papakea Resort adds a unique personality to the operator's condominium resort collection. Located near historic Lahaina, the resort is situated on 13 acres of tropical landscape accented by freshwater lagoons and towering coconut palms. Its year-round features and services include picnic areas with barbecues, tournaments at its two 18-hole putting greens, tennis clinics, oceanfront shuffleboard courts and water aerobics at its two swimming pools.

Accommodations range from studio to two-bedroom suites, complete with full kitchens, washer/dryer, cable television and lanais. Rates start as low as $120 per night for studio accommodations with a garden view.

Based in Honolulu, Aston Hotels & Resorts operates condominium resorts and hotels with more than 5,000 rooms on the four major Hawaiian islands. For more information, visit Aston's web site at http://www.aston-hotels.com or call (800) 922-7866 from the U.S. Mainland and Canada for reservations. From Hawaii, call (800) 321-2558. For group reservations, call (800) 336-5599. Aston's TDD telephone number is (800) 441-2344.

Contact:

David Sayre/Aubrey Hawk PR Works 444 Hobron Lane, 4th Floor Honolulu, HI 96815 Phone: (808)955-8411 Fax: (808) 942-4688