Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Kaʻanapali has a new general manager
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Ka‘anapali has appointed Mike Kass, who has more than 30 years of leadership experience in sales and hotel operation, as the property’s general manager, effective Feb. 19.
Kass’ first stint in Hawaiʻi was in 2011, when he served as hotel manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua before being promoted to general manager.
Most recently, Kass served as general manager of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, where he oversaw a $140 million hotel refurbishment. In 2019, he achieved the highest revenue producing year in the hotel’s 30-year history.
Kass also has served as a director of sales and marketing at various properties. He opened Tucson’s first luxury resort, Starr Pass Resort & Spa, and went on to lead successful sales teams at San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. While he was hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, the resort was awarded the Forbes Five-Star Award, only the 3rd Ritz Carlton Hotel in North America to be so recognized.
“Hawaiʻi has always felt like home to me and I’m excited to return back to the Maui community,” Kass said. “The Westin Maui is riding a wave of renewal following its $120 million transformation, which in addition to capital improvements, included an upscaling of property amenities and programs. I’m excited to continue the momentum the team there has built.”
Kass enjoys traveling and considers Asia to be one of his favorite places to visit. He has been studying Japanese for the past two years, working with a tutor in Sapporo, Japan and recently passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.