COURTESY RITZ-CARLTON In keeping with the hotel's luxury persona, the restaurants were upgraded and rooms were outfitted with the latest technology. A spa is slated to open in May 2008.

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua reopening

The renovations included the addition of full-ownership suites

The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua reopened yesterday following a $160 million renovation project.

The renovations, which began in the summer shortly after Florida-based GenCom Holdings Inc. acquired the AAA Five-Diamond West Maui hotel, are intended to help cater to the growing market for upscale family and longer-term travel, said Kim Kessler, public relations director for the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

Improvement costs ended up about 68 percent higher than the $95 million estimated last year, an increase Kessler attributed to increased shipping and construction costs as well as change orders.

As part of the hotel's new family push, the number of hotel rooms was reduced from 548 to 463 larger units. Rooms were also stocked with island-style furnishings and the latest technology, including flat-screen televisions, iPod docking stations, DVD players and wireless Internet access. Kamaaina rates are running about $400 a night, Kessler said.

In addition, the resort built 107 full-ownership residential suites, which offer kitchen areas and spacious living rooms, Kessler said. Some of these one- and two-bedroom units, which are set to go on sale in the next few weeks, will also be available to hotel guests, she said.

The hotel's restaurants and its fitness and pool area also underwent improvements and there are plans to open an environmental education center by midyear. A 17,500 square-foot spa, with 15 treatment rooms, is slated to open May 2008.

Developed in 1992 for $206 million, the 54-acre property employs roughly 600 employees. About 91 percent of the hotel's staff has returned to work for the property's reopening, Kessler said.