Millions of dollars of renovations are being poured into Guam hotels, including the Westin Resort Guam and Hyatt Regency Guam to stay current and to keep their customers in comfort.
Hanseok “Nick” Song, president of Haevichi Hospitality Guam Inc. and general manager of the Westin Resort; said $1.5 million is being invested into the hotel’s bungalows. Work is just about completed, he told the Journal.
A concept drawing for the Westin Resort Guam bungalow terrace. Photo courtesy of the Westin Resort Guam “We’re expecting to get occupation permits in March. We are very excited,” he said.
There are six bungalows at the hotel. Each are two-bedroom suites and once completed will have a more modern, residential feel of a villa, he said.
Song“Everything has been renovated,” he said of the bungalow’s interiors, including the flooring, the bathrooms. And the bedrooms will get the Heavenly Bed 2.0. The Heavenly Bed is manufactured by Simmons, exclusively for Westin Hotels, Song said. According to the Westin website, these “heavenly” beds were introduced in 1999 following a survey asking travelers the most important service a hotel could offer. The answer was a good night’s sleep.
The beds have received great reviews, Song said. The chain followed that with Heavenly Pets, a bed for the four-legged companions of guests. “We’re the only hotel that offers this service,” he said. While it comes at an added cost and there are certain requirements, the pet service offers another dimension for Westin guests, he said.
The hotel didn’t suffer substantial damage from Typhoon Mawar and its base of customers, including locals and military personnel, helped it weather the economic storm caused by COVID-19. The hotel had a short lull in 2020 and took advantage of it to renovate the Taste dining area that houses its buffet. That too was an investment of more than $1 million, Song said.
Song joined the hotel in late 2019, and credits much of Westin’s ability to weather a storm to its team, which has gone from more than 350 associates to 260.
“And my occupancy hasn’t dropped below 70% … except in 2020. Even with only 260 people we have been able to provide excellent service,” he said. “In hotels, having great people is most important in the industry. …They put their heart into the game. That’s why we’re able to do it.”
He also credited the hotel’s owners, South Korea-based Haevichi Hotels & Resorts, a unit of Hyundai Motor Group.
Hyatt Regency Guam’s executive suite king bedroom. “They pay close attention to details,” he said. “And they invest the earnings back into the hotels. That’s why we are able to do so many renovations and are always able to improve ourselves and raise the standards in the industry.”
Similarly, the Hyatt Regency Guam has invested in improvements. Renovations of guest rooms from the seventh to the 14th floor, as well as the Presidential and Executive Suites have just been completed. According to Sophia Chu, general manager, the hotel expects half of the Regency Suites to be completed by the end of March, after which renovations will begin for the remaining Regency Suites.
ChuAll told, Chiu said, “renovation of our guestrooms and suites is a multi-million-dollar investment.”
In the guestrooms, the carpet was removed the carpet and the flooring updated, “which has been well received by both our local and off island guests, given the environment in which we operate,” Chiu said. The renovated rooms are also now equipped with 65” televisions, some updated furnishings, and bathrooms that offer a “modern, updated look,” she said.
The hotel is also stepping up its eco-friendly atmosphere.
“Guests will also notice some of our sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of single use plastic bottles going to the landfill. We have placed reusable water bottles in all guest rooms, which guests can fill and use while staying in the hotel, and then take with them upon departure,” she said. “In addition, we have replaced single use shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles with large format amenities, which are much more eco-friendly and easy to use.”
The completed suites have a spacious feel by design in the living room and bedroom, and bedrooms are equipped with two queen beds or a king bed.
“When you walk into any of our guestrooms or suites, you will immediately feel how spacious and airy the rooms are and be naturally drawn to the amazing ocean views that frame every room,” she said.
Chu added that Hyatt has other planned upgrades throughout the hotel, including the carpeting in the ballroom to the flooring and carpeting of the lobby lounge.
The ongoing improvements are part of the Hyatt philosophy of community, she said.
“Since Hyatt opened our doors in 1993, we have always believed that our job is to be a contributing member of the local community as a host, employer and corporate citizen, forming partnerships with the government, military, local organizations, and industry partners. In addition, we must ensure that we do everything possible to deliver a memorable experience for our guests, local and visitors alike,” Chu said. “Yes, we have been through many challenges to include typhoons, earthquakes and COVID, but through it all, the strong partnerships and resilience of our team and the island community is how we have been able to weather it all to be able to celebrate our 30th Anniversary in 2023.”
Like the Westin, the team at the Hyatt strives to takes its cues from guests, she said.
“We continue to learn from our guests and continue to adapt to their changing needs. As travelers become more technologically savvy, we have implemented different communication tools to be able to communicate with them prior to, during and post stay,” Chu said. “We have also introduced mobile keys allowing guests to be able to check in, access their guest rooms, and check out, all through their World of Hyatt Mobile app. These are a few examples of how we continue to look at different ways to stay current and what we have learned from listening to the feedback of our guests.”
She said looking forward, the team is grateful for the support of the community.
“… As we enter into our 31st year, (we) are committed to ensuring that we not only focus on taking care of our visitors, but remain committed to the wellbeing of our island. We will continue to grow and develop of our local talent, create a diverse workforce, operate with sustainable practices to care for the planet and our island, and focus on the wellbeing of our guests and colleagues. We will continue to do everything we can to be a good corporate citizen and host, helping to showcase how wonderful of a place Guam is to visit and live.” See also https://mbjguam.com/guam-hilton-gets-8-million-upgrade-throughout-property. mbj
The ongoing improvements are part of the Hyatt philosophy of community, she said.