Hyatt Regency Maui Completes $15 Million Transformation

Hyatt Regency Maui's new Japengo dining room. Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui.

By Sonia Isotov

Maui’s first destination resort, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announced today the completion of its extensive $15 million renovation.

The renovation includes a $5 million restaurant redesign and $10 million guestrooms renovation.

“Opened in 1980, Hyatt Regency Maui was the first destination resort in the world, and its groundbreaking resort-as-destination concept. With extensive gardens, water playgrounds, wildlife and notable art collection, [it] forever changed the landscape of resorts around the globe,” said Michael Jokovich, General Manager with Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa.

“With this exciting transformation, we’ve reinvented the resort that invented it all. The ambiance and design of our new guestrooms and Japengo are inspired by the vibrancy and natural beauty of Hawaii, and with them we have infused sophisticated Hawaiian elegance into the entire guest experience.”

Hyatt Regency Maui newly renovated oceanfront double guestroom. Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui.

As part of the renovation, Hyatt Regency Maui’s restaurant, Cascades, received a $5 million redesign to reveal Japengo, a sophisticated dining destination that draws on Hawaii’s freshest, locally-grown products and exotic ingredients from neighboring Pacific Rim countries to create a culinary adventure showcasing modern Asian-inspired flavors with Hawaiian flair.

Conceptualized with Island Design Center as an updated interpretation of a Japanese fishing village, the Hyatt Regency Maui’s restaurant, Cascades, received a $5 million redesign to reveal the new Japengo restaurant.

To create Japengo’s modern Pacific Rim cuisine, Hyatt

Regency Maui Resort and Spa’s Executive Chef Matt Smith sources exceptional local produce and products from

Hyatt Regency Maui guestroom after $10 million renovation. Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui.

Maui and the surrounding islands, such as Olowalu tomatoes, Kula lettuces, Alii Kula lavender, Hawaiian red and black sea salt, and freshly caught seafood, and thoughtfully prepares them using authentic Asian cooking methods.

With its ethereal silk pendants, generous pebbled bar, and open air garden lounge, the Moon Bar is a chic spot for socializing and people-watching over cocktails.

Glowing elongated amber lamps, wasabi-green banquettes and updated Asian elements create a club-like ambiance for the Sushi Lounge, which seats 49.

The $10 million and 806 guestrooms and 31 suites renovation was led by CRA, a leading designer of up-scale hospitality properties. Room renovations feature a clean design of refined Hawaiian furnishings, including plantation-style platform beds, and private lanais.