PRINCEVILLE — A Kaua‘i resort has shown the entire nation how to be the best among the best. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas earned the Ace Project of Excellence, given by the American Resort Development Association at its 2011
PRINCEVILLE — A Kaua‘i resort has shown the entire nation how to be the best among the best.
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas earned the Ace Project of Excellence, given by the American Resort Development Association at its 2011 Convention and Exposition held in Orlando, Florida in April.
Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce members and guests were joined by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in congratulating the North Shore resort and experiencing facets of the Westin Princeville since its opening just three years ago.
The Ace Project of Excellence Award is one of the top ARDA awards, recognizing timeshare or mixed-use projects which are considered a success by its investors, owners and the local community, the ARDA website states. The recipient exhibits years of cooperation between planners, engineers, architects, lenders, contractors, designers, sales, marketing, operations, staff, owners, local government, community groups, and its surrounding area.
“We might be one of the smaller resort properties on the island,” said Denise Wardlow, the Westin Princeville’s general manager. “But small has its advantages because the Westin Princeville was able to contribute $13,000 to the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, one of the larger contributors, and more recently, $7,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at its Hanalei event, helping the organization make its goal for the event.”
The Westin Princeville opened its doors to the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours, Thursday evening, welcoming more than 100 people from all parts of the island to view and experience the North Shore resort.
Among the events, Chef Kahau Manzo laid out some of its farm-to-table cuisine from Nanea Restaurant featuring ahi tataki on cucumbers, hummus wraps, Thai chicken satays, kalbi beef satays, li hing mui pineapple, assorted dim sum, haupia purple potato pie, pineapple upside-down cake and roasted mushroom crostini.
“We try to stay local with our offerings,” Manzo said, using the li hing mui pineapple as an example.
Manzo said in addition to the Nanea Restaurant, which offered a brunch for two as a premium or the evening, the Westin Princeville also offers the Wailele Bar and the Princeville Market, the only location on the North Shore to get Starbucks coffee.
Randall Francisco, president and CEO of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, said the Westin Princeville, at its core value and as part of its business culture, has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in incorporating a Hawaiian-centered philosophy of “aloha, ho‘okipa, or hospitality, kuleana, or responsibility, and kulia i ka nu‘u, or striving for excellence” as part of its overall business plan.
Francisco, in his letter of recommendation, said events such as the annual golf tournament, the Jazz Concert and Wine event, and incorporating locally-grown produce and value-added products as part of the farm-to-table dining experience and support of local farmers helps keep the economy green and sustainable.
Wardlow, in awarding two tickets to the Jazz and Wine Festival, Sept. 24, said this year they were fortunate to get Pauline Wilson as the event headliner.
“In addition to the event on the lawn, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association and its efforts are equipping all of the Kaua‘i lifeguard towers with rescue craft,” Wardlow said. “We’ll be featuring food vendors from the St. Regis at Princeville, the Tavern, Bar A Cuda, Sugar Mill Cupcakes, and two new eateries from the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort: Rim Fire and Lava’s.”
