Guam Hilton gets $8 million upgrade throughout the property
by OYAOL NGIRAIRIKL Journal Staff
Amid labor shortages and the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, local hotels, including the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, are undergoing significant renovations.
The Tumon hotel is renovating 218 out of 232 rooms of the Premier Tower. The room renovations are part of an $8 million project.
SugieLike many other businesses requiring construction work, the Tumon hotel’s projects suffered delays. Originally scheduled for completion by Dec. 31, Hiroki Sugie, general manager of the Hilton; said there were some challenges “due to instability of manpower and H-2 workers from our contractors.”
The renovated rooms, as well as the 14 Premier Tower suites being refurbished, are now scheduled to be completed Feb. 29. The project includes the executive lounge at the Premier Tower, which is also being refurbished and should be completed by March 31.
Hotel officials are looking forward to opening the suites, which will feature views of Tumon Bay that can be enjoyed from spacious balconies. The new layout features wood flooring and partial carpeting near the balcony. Standard rooms also feature wooden flooring that extends from the entrance to the balcony. The rooms' design, with elevated headboards and a rattan setting, distinctively separates the seating and sleeping areas, designed to caters to both leisure and business travelers, including military and government guests.
Other projects that Hilton’s guests can look forward to include the renovation of the local favorite Hilton Tree Bar.
Work will start in February and finish in March. Secured parking will replace the tennis courts just off the hotel entrance – this work is estimated to be completed in April. A new tennis court is expected to be completed in March. And the main lobby is also expected to be renovated, but that plan is still being finalized.
The room renovations and other projects are part of how Hilton, one of the island’s first hotels, is keeping up with changes in the tourism industry. Built in 1972, the hotel has seen the ebbs and flows of the island’s tourism and changing trends. For example, following COVID-19, there’s been a rising demand for contactless technology and digitalization.
Hilton Guam Resort & Spas’s upgraded premier oceanview suite. Photos courtesy of the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa “Overall, renovations are a common strategy for hotels to stay competitive and align with evolving market demands. This can include modernizing facilities, updating room designs and enhancing common areas to provide a fresh and appealing atmosphere,” Sheila Baker, director of business development at Hilton; told the Journal. “Our renovations are designed not only to refresh our physical space but also to incorporate new technologies and amenities that appeal to today's travelers. Further, we continue our focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices as these considerations are becoming more important to a growing number of travelers.”
Baker said given the rise of technologically savvy travelers, “We continuously invest in digital services such as online booking platforms, mobile apps for reservations and check-ins, and in-room technology like smart TVs and high-speed internet.”
She said, “Implementing contactless solutions, such as mobile check-in and keyless entry, has become increasingly important in the post-COVID-19 era. In addition, the fact that we are adapting services to cater to the preferences of individual travelers, especially those from our major source markets such as Japan and South Korea, often involve incorporating technology, offering personalized experiences and providing multilingual services.”
Parents traveling with children can book specific Hilton rooms online. Hilton Honors members can now use a digital key, which allows them to bypass the front desk and go straight to their rooms. Kipsu, a one-to-one text-based platform integrated into the Hilton Honors app allows guests to communicate their needs directly to Hilton’s team. And for added peace of mind for families traveling with children, parents can book and confirm connecting rooms and know, even before checking in, exactly where their rooms are located.
In addition, Hilton has a new system that saves each of their guests’ preferences and shares them with 7,399 hotels in 124 countries and territories and 22 Hilton brands worldwide.
The hotel has been a favorite for locals for decades but has also established strong relationships with local businesses, airlines, tour agencies, the federal government and the military through the years.
The Hilton actively engages in community projects, Baker said.
“Beyond tourism, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa is deeply invested in the community through various efforts by our Blue Energy Committee. Our team members regularly volunteer and raise funds to help various causes that help the people of Guam.” mbj
