HANALEI BAY, KAUAI — Hawaii’s Princeville Resort will temporarily close on May 1, 2020 as part of a multimillion-dollar transformation, reopening in November 2021 as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, the flagship property of Starwood Capital’s wellness brand, 1 Hotels.

The Kauai resort overlooks Hanalei Bay and the Na Pali coast. Starwood Capital acquired the Princeville Resort in 2018.

Renovation plans include replacing select buildings with gardens and water features. Starwood Capital also says it “will open the resort to the sky to embrace its astounding natural surroundings, and intertwine in our design the unique materials and warmth of the local Hawaiian islands.”

Through design and its unique programming, the property will undergo a complete transformation to create the flagship of the 1 Hotel brand and one of the world’s premier wellness sanctuaries with personalized guest programming for fitness, nutrition and wellbeing, says Starwood Capital.

1 Hotels is positioned as a mission-driven, luxury lifestyle hotel brand inspired by nature, and sustainable operating philosophies. The focus at 1 Hotels properties includes abundant outdoor activities and adventures as well as healing, wellness and educational programming.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay will be the latest in the expanding 1 Hotels brand, adding to the 1 Hotel portfolio with properties already open in Manhattan, Brooklyn, South Beach and Los Angeles. More projects are already underway in London, Paris, Toronto, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Nashville, Cabo San Lucas and Sunnyvale.

“We are thrilled to be re-imagining the former Princeville resort located in one of the most beautiful spots on earth,” says Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. He adds that as CEO of Starwood Hotels, he visited the property more than 20 years ago “and thought what an awful architectural execution that did not take advantage of its natural setting. How fortunate we are, these years later, to be able to fix this resort and create a magical experience for our traveling guest who today doesn’t want a room and bed but wants a 360 degree travel destination that can restore balance and calm to our over stimulated lives.”

Sternlicht went on to say: “Our goal is nothing short of creating a new addition to the finest resorts in Hawaii, our green brand’s flagship and to be one of the most incredible wellness properties in the world, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. We are excited to integrate our hotel into the local community, to operate our hotel to reflect the deep roots of extraordinary hospitality and the warmth and preservation focused local community.”

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay will be LEEDv4 certified and will feature 252 rooms, including 51 suites, along with a wellness centre, and an 18,000 square foot spa and fitness centre.

Five food and beverage outlets will offer fresh, local and sustainably sourced farm-to-table cuisine using ingredients from the hotel’s organic on-site garden and neighboring farms.

The resort will be operated by SH Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Capital’s hotel management company. More information is at 1hotels.com/hanaleibay.