History of Aqua-Aston
Aqua-Aston is the story of humble beginnings, unwavering growth, and authenticity. Over half of Aqua-Aston’s employees have been with the company 10+ years and many have family legacies that go back generations in Hawaii. Their real-life experiences, stories, and ideas are integral to our company’s growth, the true spirit of aloha, and our unique brand of Hawaiian hospitality.
1948: A LOVE STORY
After the shipwrecked French sailor, Joseph Tatibouet, fell in love with Annalie from Hawaii, they married and soon opened The Royal Grove Hotel, a small 14-room walk-up hotel in Waikiki.
1968-69: A MANAGEMENT COMPANY IS FORMED
While Hawaii Five-0 makes its national TV debut on CBS, the Hotel Corporation of the Pacific is established to manage current and future hotel and condominium projects. The 360-room Pacific Beach Hotel is completed as well as the 100-room Kuhiolani Hotel, Hawaii's first condominium to be managed as a hotel.
1978-79: AN INDUSTRY IS BORN
It takes less than a decade for the Hotel Corporation of the Pacific to sign its first large condominium contract. Two concepts merge— hotel services and spacious accommodations— to create the value and convenience of resort condominiums. The company’s growing portfolio spans all four major Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui.
1986: A NEW NAME AND NEW SERVICES
Hotel Corporation of the Pacific launches a new name as Aston Hotels & Resorts, becoming one of the first resort condominium companies to operate under a common brand name.
1998: A NEW BEGINNING
Aston Hotels & Resorts becomes a founding member of the ResortQuest International, the first publicly traded Resort Condominium Management company on the New York Stock Exchange.
2001: NOTEWORTHY NEIGHBORS
Aqua Hotels & Resorts, a boutique company, launches and quickly ranks among Hawaii’s fastest growing companies, earning titles like “Best Place to Work,” “Hawaii’s Fastest 50,” and “Healthiest Employer.”
2007: EXPANSION
Aston becomes an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc., which is traded on NASDAQ. Aqua continues to expand, introducing the Lite brand.
2013: GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP
Aston acquires Aqua Hotels & Resorts, making it one of Hawaii’s largest hospitality management groups; in 2015, the company officially rebrands as, “Aqua-Aston Hospitality.”
2018: A 70-YEAR LEGACY
Today, Honolulu-based Aqua-Aston Hospitality is a destination expert that provides management and marketing services to hotels and resort condos in Hawaii, the continental U.S., and Central America, including Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Aston Hotels & Resorts, Instinct Hotel Collection, Lite Hotels, Maui Condo and Home, and the international hotel brands of Hilton Inc. The company prides itself in the expertise of its teammates and offers Hawaii’s only locally staffed 24-hour call center to best serve the needs of travelers from across the globe.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018:
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (MVW) acquires ILG, Inc., and is the parent company of Aqua-Aston Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries and brands, including Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Aston Hotels & Resorts, and Maui Condo and Home. MVW is a global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental, and resort and property management, along with related products and services.
In addition to the Aqua-Aston family of brands, MVW’s diverse portfolio includes seven vacation ownership brands with more than 100 resorts and nearly 650,000 Owners and Members. It also includes exchange networks comprising nearly 3,200 resorts in over 80 countries, approximately two million members of various exchange and membership programs, as well as management of over 200 other resorts and lodging properties.
A 70-YEAR LEGACY CONTINUES...
Aqua-Aston Hospitality is a destination expert that provides management services to hotels and resort condos in Hawaii, the continental U.S., and Central America, including Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Aston Hotels & Resorts, Instinct Hotel Collection, Lite Hotels, Maui Condo & Home, as well as the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Curio Collection by Hilton.