Highgate Appoints Matthew Grauso as General Manager of Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
January 24, 2023
HONOLULU, HI – Highgate, a leading real estate and hospitality management company, announced today that Matthew Grauso has been appointed as General Manager of the new Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa at Sky Ala Moana. In his new role, Grauso will be responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the highly anticipated Marriott property, scheduled to open in late 2023 on Oahu.
A seasoned industry professional with more than 25 years of experience, Grauso has served as the General Manager at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach for the past five years. He will stay on in this role until his successor has been named. Prior, Grauso also served as the General Manager at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, Hotel Manager at The Sheraton Waikiki and Director of Human Resources at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas.
“With his extensive experience in hotel operations and commitment to outstanding service, Matt is the perfect person to lead the team as we prepare for this exciting opening,” said Kelly Sanders, Executive Vice President of Operations for Highgate. “Matt is an invaluable member of the Highgate ‘ohana and we’re thrilled to reintroduce the Renaissance brand to Hawaii with him at the helm.”
“It is a great privilege to lead the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa as its General Manager,” said Grauso. “The property will serve as the perfect destination for locals and guests alike, offering creative dining concepts, expansive accommodations, inspired wellness and convenient access to Honolulu’s thriving entertainment, arts and cultural scene. I’m excited to harness Highgate’s innovative spirit and redefine hospitality once again in Hawaii with exclusive programming and bespoke experiences.”
Situated along reef-protected shoreline and over a half-mile of white sandy beach, the 39-story hotel tower includes 187 new rooms and suites boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows and contemporary design topped by 113 of Marriott’s Renaissance Residences. Designed as an oasis in the sky, guests will delight in top-of-the-line amenities and an array of curated spaces. The eighth floor Sky Terrace will serve as a sanctuary for fitness and wellness featuring two swimming pools, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor soaking baths, Himalayan salt saunas, meditation gardens, and a fully equipped fitness center with yoga studio and spa. Interior artwork was created by renowned Hawai‘i designer and cultural practitioner, Sig Zane.
Highgate owns and or operates 12 properties in Hawai‘i. The portfolio includes ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, The Twin Fin, Park Shore Waikiki, Ambassador Hotel Waikiki, Pearl Hotel Waikiki, Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach, Pagoda Hotel Honolulu, Renaissance Honolulu Hotel, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, AC Honolulu and Makai Sunset Inn.
For more information on the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, visit www.rrhonolulu.com.
About Highgate
Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $20 billion of assets under management. Highgate has a 30-year track record as an investment manager, operating partner, and developer for REITs, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals, and other institutional investors. With a particular focus in hospitality real estate, Highgate’s portfolio includes over 500 owned and/or managed hotels comprising over 84,000 rooms across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s capabilities extend to adjacent real estate verticals including multifamily, short-term rentals, and diversified healthcare real estate, as well as investments in real estate-linked securities, technology platforms, and hospitality-related operating businesses. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, London, Miami, Seattle, and Honolulu. For more information, visit: www.highgate.com.