Sad news from Hawaii Island, where the Keauhou Beach Hotel has announced that it will close and be demolished in late October.
According to Hawaii News Now, consultants had studied "a number of options" that would prevent closure, but decided that "selling, renovating or re-purposing the hotel" would not be financially feasible.
The hotel, which is managed by Outrigger, is scheduled to close on October 31. Guests and events already booked for later dates will be moved to other properties nearby. The tennis courts and farmers market may remain open if access and security issues can be worked out. Big Island hotels have averaged 64-percent full most of this summer.
Good to know: While the names are similar, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay is a different hotel entirely, and will complete its $16-million renewal on September 8. Better yet: Sheraton is working closely with management at Outrigger Keauhou and will hire as many qualified staff from there for which there are positions available.
On September 1, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay will officially change its name to Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.
