Aqua Hotels & Resorts today takes over management of a 16th property — this time the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, company officials told the Advertiser this morning.
A subsidiary of Ilikai Hotel owner iStar Financial — SFI Kauai Operator LLC — has selected Aqua to assume management of the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort effective today .

The addition of the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort to Aqua’s portfolio increases the kamaçaina company’s presence to 16 hotels on four Hawaiian Islands.
Another Aqua subsidiary today also took over at the Ilikai and reopened that hotel under another iStar subsidiary.
The oceanfront Hilton Kauai Beach Resort is situated on 25 acres offering 350 deluxe hotel guest rooms, including oceanfront suites and guest rooms. The five-story resort also boasts the island’s longest stretch of white sand beach.
“It’s exciting to be selected by iStar Financial to manage the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort,” said Ben Rafter, Aqua’s President and CEO.
The boutique chain had focused on an urban Waikïkï niche until this year, when it began an assertive expansion.
“We’re delighted to be working with Aqua Hotels as we share their vision and commitment to Hawaii’s island culture,” said Andrew G. Backman, iStar Financial’s Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Marketing.
“iStar also shares Aqua’s goal to generate a hospitality environment that will enable Hilton Kauai Beach Resort to appeal to a diverse and wide range of visitors to the island.”
In January, Rafter said the company wants to double in size within the next couple of years, starting with Maui, the other neighbor islands and California, and globally to Australia and New Zealand.