MB Capital LLC General Manager Gloria Cavanagh poses for a photo at the former Hyatt hotel in Garapan.
THE former Hyatt Regency Saipan in Garapan will reopen as Marianas Beach Resort on Monday, Nov. 25, according to MB Capital LLC general manager Gloria Cavanagh.
Saipan Portopia Corporation, which was doing business as Hyatt Regency Saipan, assigned its remaining 38-year land lease with the Department of Public Lands to MB Capital LLC in September 2024.
Citing “global shifts and continued challenges impacting Saipan and its tourism sector,” Saipan Portopia shut down the Hyatt on June 30, 2024.
On Oct. 22, 2024, MB Capital LLC, led by its president David Hood, held an unveiling event following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of Marriott International Inc.
“We did the unveiling, and we signed an MOU with Sheraton, but we will not be opening as Sheraton. It will be some months before we will be able to do that, with the ongoing negotiation with the franchise agreement, which should be signed early next year,” Cavanagh said in an interview Friday afternoon.
“We’re opening as Marianas Beach Resort on Nov. 25 for the hotel, and Giovanni’s will be opening on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, and for the Sunday brunch thereafter. Miyako Restaurant has been open since Oct. 16, and we will be opening for dinner in December for Friday and Saturday.”
“David [Hood] promised we’re opening in November — we will be opening in November,” Cavanagh said.
Room rates are $120 a night. “That includes breakfast for two at Loyalty Lounge and then in the afternoon for two hours cocktail. It’s an appreciation for people coming back, welcoming them back home — it’s a different name but it’s still an experience,” Cavanagh said.
She said before they can call themselves Sheraton, they must meet “a whole list of requirements,” including renovations of the lobby, and having all-day restaurants.
She said major renovations for the former Hyatt hotel will begin next year.
“It will be in three phases. The first phase will be the renovation of the main building, which has 180 rooms. Everything will be changed to Sheraton brand style, then after that, the north and south wings, … which have 140 rooms,” Cavanagh added.
She said certain rooms will be open while renovations are ongoing. “Access will be at the back, and a quarter of the parking area will be closed. But people won’t even notice that we are renovating,” she added.
Cavanagh said they have hired 27 people. “We had a job fair back in October. There were 450 applicants, and we were able to hire 27. We are only opening 72 rooms to begin with. Everyone hired is excited for the opening. Everyone started this week and have been training for the front desk reception, food and beverage, and housekeeping,” she said.
For room reservations, call (670) 488-8000 or email mbcspn.reservations@gmail.com.
For restaurant reservations, call (670) 488-1000.
