Hilton Announces New Vacation Ownership Resort in Waikoloa, HI
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 6, 2006. Construction of Hawaii's newest vacation ownership resort has been officially launched in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Hilton Hotels Corporation, through its timeshare division, Hilton Grand Vacations Company (HGVC), announced plans to develop Kings' Land, its second Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) timeshare project within the Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii's Big Island.
The announcement marks the third Hilton timeshare project launch in recent months; following the start of construction of the 331-unit Grand Waikikian(TM) project in Honolulu, Hawaii (projected to open in December 2008), and the development of a 161-unit Hilton Grand Vacations Club project in New York City (projected to open in April 2009).
A groundbreaking ceremony on November 2 officially launched construction of a 198-unit development phase of the new Hilton Grand Vacations Club resort at Kings' Land. The event was attended by state officials, local dignitaries, Hilton executives and team members; Kahu Keoni Ka 'ineianu 'uana Atkinson offered a traditional Hawaiian blessing at the construction site. The first of seven potential development phases is slated for completion in August 2008, and pre-opening timeshare sales have commenced.
Adjacent to one of two championship golf courses within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, the property will feature views of the Kings' Course to one direction, the majestic Mauna Kea with its world-renowned observatories to another and beautiful tropical sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. The initial phases of the vacation ownership resort call for the development of 198 villa-style, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units on 29.7 acres of the undeveloped 112-acre property purchased in 2005 from the Waikoloa Land Company.
HGVC recently opened the 120-unit Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort. With its traditional Hawaiian-style architecture and casual elegance, the resort became the 30th spectacular vacation ownership property in the HGVC resort portfolio. The March 2006 grand opening came just prior to the groundbreaking ceremony for the company's fourth timeshare development in the State of Hawaii, The Grand Waikikian(TM) in Honolulu.
Also on The Big Island, HGVC manages The Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort, a 167-unit timeshare resort. The new Kings' Land resort promises to be a spectacular addition to the Waikoloa Beach Resort collection.
'This project provides a platform for the long-term growth of Hilton's vacation ownership presence in Hawaii,' said Antoine Dagot, President and CEO of HGVC. 'The Big Island continues to be a destination in high demand, and Hilton is superbly positioned to accommodate discerning travelers. The renowned amenities of the Waikoloa Beach Resort provide an ideal setting for our newest vacation ownership resort.'
According to Mark Wang, HGVC's Senior Vice President for Hawaii and Asia, the Hilton timeshare resorts now under development in Waikoloa and Waikiki are clear evidence of Hilton's continuing commitment to this growing timeshare market.
'Since we began sales at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 2000, we have been fortunate to have our results outpace all of our original expectations,' Wang said. 'It's exciting to have tremendous interest in our product from both domestic and Japanese customers. The quality of our timeshare resorts and Club membership benefits, coupled with the strength of the Hilton brand, has been the key to our success.'
Wang added that sales in Waikoloa have been equally strong to date. 'The Kohala Coast is home to some of Hawaii's most prestigious resorts, and Waikoloa is clearly a destination whose time has come,' he said.
The Waikoloa Beach Resort is also home to the 1,280-room Hilton Waikoloa Village hotel, which is located on 62 oceanfront acres. Guests of the Hilton Waikoloa Village travel the extensive resort via tramline and water taxi, while enjoying 9 restaurants, 3 swimming pools, a salt-water snorkeling lagoon and a 25,000 square-foot spa facility.
Hilton Grand Vacations Company, LLC is a division of Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT), the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,800 hotels and 495,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations(TM), Homewood Suites by Hilton(R), Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection(TM).
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, HGVC develops, markets and operates a system of high-quality vacation ownership resorts in select vacation destinations. The company also operates two innovative club membership programs, Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and The Hilton Club(R) providing exclusive exchange, leisure travel, and reservation services for more than 100,000 Club Members.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
