Toronto, Canada, June 15, 2001 - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today
announced that the renowned Kea Lani Resort in Wailea, Maui will be officially
re-flagged as The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui on June 15th. Acquired by
Fairmont�s parent company on February 1, 2001, the Kea Lani is Fairmont�s
first resort in the Pacific, giving the luxury brand a presence in one
of the most coveted travel destinations in the world.
�Fairmont�s entry into the Hawaiian
Islands represents a significant step in growing our resort portfolio and
diversifying the areas in which we operate,� said William R. Fatt, chairman
and chief executive officer of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. � The
Kea Lani Resort, one of Maui�s most easily recognized symbols of excellence
is a natural fit with Fairmont�s award-winning resorts such as The Fairmont
Scottsdale Princess and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler which enjoy unrivaled
prominence in North American and international travel markets,� said Fatt.
Known as the island�s only all-suite luxury oceanfront resort, the hotel
is situated on Polo Beach in the world-class, master-planned destination
of Wailea, on the Southwestern coast of Maui. With 413 one-bedroom
suites and 37 private beachfront villas, the 22-acre hotel offers a full-service
spa and fitness center, 30,000 square feet of function space, three swimming
pools, a 140-foot water slide, four restaurants, a year-round children�s
program and full wedding coordination services. The Kea Lani is located |
The Fairmont Kea Lani rests
on Maui's famed Polo Beach and was designed by architect Jose Luis Esquerra,
who designed the Las Hadas resort in Mexico. Charles M. Sweeney of Landmark
Hotels developed the 22-acre ocean front property in 1991, then bought
it back from Japanese lenders in 1998 with partners Jon Miho and George
Ruff of Honolulu-based Trinity Investment Trust LLC, Goldman Sachs and
the Apollo Group.
Opened in December of 1991 in a setting lavish with tropical
greenery, flowers, and 22,000 square feet of water features, The Fairmont
Kea Lani is Hawaii's only all-suite luxury resort. A gleaming white exterior
makes a spectacular sight against the clear blue skies of Wailea,
known for its exceptionally sunny climate. The words ''Kea Lani''
mean ''heavenly white'' and The Fairmont Kea Lani is nothing short of heaven
on earth! Since its inception, The Fairmont Kea Lani has welcomed business
and leisure travelers for whom only the most exquisite accommodations
and facilities will do.
In February 2001, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts acquired
a majority interest in the resort, which recently added a spa and
last year received $5 million in improvements. |
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close to Wailea�s three championship 18-hole, par 72 golf courses and 14
tennis courts, as well as boutique shopping. A full activities program
at the hotel offers snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and island-wide
excursions.
As Hawaii�s most successful independent resort, its luxury all-suite
and villa concept has won a loyal following of guests in the past 10 years.
Offering an exceptional location, product and service, the hotel continually
appears on high profile magazine reader polls such as Conde Nast Traveler's
Gold List and Travel & Leisure's World's Best. Also playing a key role
in the resort's success are the Kea Lani's dedicated employees. �The
success of the Kea Lani over the last decade is due, in large part, to
our well trained and enthusiastic colleagues,� commented hotel general
manager Christof Luedi.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is the largest operator of luxury hotels
and resorts in North America, with a unique collection of world-class resorts
and city center hotels that enjoy unrivalled prominence in the communities
where they are located. |