Lodge at Koele getting $50M upgrade

The property will get a freshening up under new manager Four Seasons

The 16-year-old Lodge at Koele on Lanai is undergoing a $50 million makeover.

The renovations are expected to help the Lodge keep up with its recently renovated sister property on Lanai, the Manele Bay, with an updated look fit for the Four Seasons luxury brand while retaining the Lodge's country feel.

Castle & Cooke is pouring more than $100 million overall into the Four Seasons rebranding effort at the two Lanai resorts. More than half of the money already went into a renovation of Manele Bay, which was completed in February.

The Lodge's 102 rooms will get signature Four Seasons beds (complete with the custom-designed pillowtop mattresses, sheets, pillows and duvets), 42-inch LCD flatscreen TVs, new carpet, high-speed Internet access, air-conditioning and heating.

The Lodge will get a new coat of paint, while its Great Hall will get new furniture and fabrics. The Lodge also will get an expanded pool deck area, a new games room, spa and wellness center, and a pagoda imported from China.

Castle & Cooke switched its waning Lanai properties to Four Seasons management from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. last fall in an effort to bring them new life.

Upon completion, the Lodge at Koele will be branded as the "Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, The Lodge at Koele." Her sister is now branded as "Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay."

"The Lodge has always had a great base of loyal guests, and with the upcoming enhancement and rebranding, our guests will have even more to enjoy," said Mark Hellrung, general manager of Four Seasons Resorts Lanai. "The upcountry charm will remain, with a new level of comfort and service added by Four Seasons."

Work at the Lodge is expected to begin late next month and continue until mid-November.

A total of 142 Lodge employees will be laid off temporarily while the hotel is shut down for renovations. All were given options to work in various positions during the renovations or at Manele Bay, according to Four Seasons Resorts Lanai spokesman Brad Packer .

Construction of the new spa and wellness center is expected to begin after renovations to the Lodge. It is expected to open in 2008. A spa is an essential part of the package for any Four Seasons resort property nowadays.

Joseph Toy, president of Hospitality Advisors LLC in Honolulu, says the Four Seasons brand brings with it high standards, and a loyal following that is sure to boost overall performance of the two properties.

"Four Seasons brings great positioning to the assets," he said. "After renovations, they'll have a very attractive portfolio and by association, the resort residential on Lanai will become more appealing as well."

The Lodge first opened in 1990; Manele Bay opened in 1991.

Room rates will likely go up in 2007, but have yet to be determined, according to Packer.

Rooms at the Lodge currently go for about $350 per night, while rooms at Manele Bay start at about $395 per night.