AQUA’S TIMELINE

Aqua Hotels & Resorts is a Hawaii-based management company founded in 2001. The company provides independent hoteliers and individual owners with full-service management including sales, marketing, Internet distribution, individualized branding, reservations as well as revenue management to maximize profitability. Currently representing more than 20 contemporary properties on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii, the Big Island, Aqua offers lifestyle full-service resorts, stylish boutique hotels, and comfortable budget properties.

2001

Michael V. Paulin, one of Hawaii’s most honored hotel operators and recognized authority on hotel-condo conversions, formed Aqua Hotels & Resorts, LLC with the purpose of creating Hawaii’s first chain of boutique hotels.

August – added Aqua Waikiki Marina, formerly Outrigger’s Ala Wai Tower and Ala Wai Terrace.
December – Aqua assumed management of the Aqua Bamboo & Spa, (formerly managed by Marc Resorts as Waikiki Marc).

2004

Aqua transitioned Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa management from Aston (ResortQuest).

2005

Aqua Boutique Collection launched focusing on service, style and value for today’s savvy travelers. The Aqua Boutique Collection features lifestyle amenities comprising the seven pillars of the Aqua brand – AquaSPA, AquaFIT, AquaFRESH, AquaKIT, AquaCONNECT, AquaSTART and AquaPROMISE.

August – After a blessing and soft opening, the 260-room Aqua Palms & Spa officially opened for business, nearly a year after Aqua Hotels & Resorts took over management of the property.

2006

Aqua Lite Line introduced to represent the company’s transitional and best-rate product.

January 16 – Aqua signed contract to manage the former “Mauka Tower” of
the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel. Later renamed Ocean Tower Waikiki then Hotel Renew, the property completed a major renovation upgrade.

January 20 – Aqua added a seventh property to its Waikiki portfolio by assuming management of the 143-room Continental Surf Hotel. Renamed Aqua Continental, it was most recently operated as an independent hotel.

January 26 – Aqua named to manage the Coral Reef Hotel, a 247-room property that was owned by Andre S. Tatibouet since 1973. The hotel completed a major renovation at a total cost of over $7 million and was renamed Aqua Waikiki Wave.

September 14 – Aqua welcomed the 67-room Hawaii Polo Inn as the company’s ninth Waikiki property. (Later renamed The Equus – an Aqua Boutique Hotel).

October 9 – Aqua added Island Colony to its expanding Waikiki inventory. (Renamed Aqua Skyline at Island Colony). This addition made Aqua the fastest growing Waikiki hotel chain in 2006 – adding five properties and doubling its portfolio.

December 14 – Aqua awarded the management contract for the 80-room Coconut Plaza Hotel by 3D Investments, LLC, a California-based real estate investment firm with significant holdings in Hawaii. (After a complete renovation in 2008, the hotel was renamed Aqua Coconut Waikiki).

2007

Aqua Hotels & Resorts ranked the #8 ‘Fastest 50’ growing Hawaii Company by Pacific Business News.

2008

January 29 – Aqua awarded the management contract for the 80-room Waikiki Beachside Hotel by its owners, RKL Beachside, LLC of Honolulu, Hawaii. Renamed Aqua Waikiki Beachside, the transition was effective on February 12 and increased Aqua’s presence in Waikiki to 11 hotels.

March 26 – Ramsfield Hospitality Finance selected Aqua to manage the Honolulu Prince, increasing the company’s inventory to 12 hotels in Waikiki (renamed Aqua Waikiki Pearl).

June 27 – Masanori Sasada, Chairman of Sasada International LLC, announced the selection of Aqua Hotels & Resorts, to provide management services for Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.

August 22 – Aqua Hotels & Resorts joined Best Western International to offer travelers the only Best Western hotel in Waikiki – the Best Western Coconut Waikiki.

November – Paulin appointed Benjamin Rafter as President and CEO of Aqua and charged him with advancing the company’s global growth strategy. Paulin has taken on the role of Chairman and Founder.

2009

January 1 – Aqua expanded to the neighbor islands with first property in
the resort destination of Wailea, Maui – Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa.

June 15 – Black Diamond Hospitality renamed Diamond Wailea Resort to Hotel Wailea Maui.

July 1 – Aqua rebranded 53-room Hotel Molokai as Aqua Hotel Molokai.

July 21 – Aqua announced landmark Ilikai hotel to reopen on July 24, managed by Hotel Management Services, LLC – a subsidiary of Aqua Hotels & Resorts.

July 2 – Aqua named to manage 350-room Hilton Kauai Beach Resort. And, as of January 1, 2010, the Hilton flag will be removed and Aqua will also market the resort.

December 1 – Aqua added Maile Sky Court Hotel in Waikiki.

2010

January 1 – Aqua managing and marketing Kauai Beach Resort.

May 15 – Aqua added Hotel Lanai.

December 6 – Aqua welcomed addition of 312-room Queen Kapiolani Hotel.

December 20 – Pagoda Management Services, LLC., an affiliate of Aqua Hotels and Resorts, retained by Peter Savio to manage the Pagoda Hotel & Floating Restaurant.

2011

January 31 – Known for carving out the boutique hotel niche in Hawaii, Aqua further differentiated the brand by introducing a new “beach boutique” concept at several properties.

April 1, 2011 – The White Sands Hotel joined Aqua.

July 18, 2011 – Aqua Hotels & Resorts named to manage 51-room Lotus at Diamond Head. The hotel is renamed Aqua Lotus Honolulu and leads the Aqua Boutique Collection. One of Waikiki’s first full-service boutique hotels, the Aqua Lotus Honolulu was previously marketed as the hip “W Honolulu”.

August 11 – Aqua Hotels & Resorts celebrated 10 years of hospitality!

August 28 – Aqua hotels affiliate named to manage The MODERN Honolulu, formerly The Waikiki-Edition.

2012

March 15 – Aqua Hotels & Resorts announced that Hawaii developer and
hotel owner Peter Savio named Aqua to manage the 88-room Ewa Hotel Waikiki, located at 2555 Cartwright Road in Waikiki.

March 19 – Aqua announced growth on Maui with the addition of the beachfront, 147-room Maui Beach Hotel on April 1, 2012.

April – Aqua Hotels & Resorts announced that its affiliate, Hawaii Volcanoes Lodge Company, LLC, was recently selected by the National Park Service as the 15-year concession contract operator for the historic Volcano House, Namakanipaio Campground and several small commercial services within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

June 18 – Aqua added Kauai Sands Hotel.