The JW Marriott Ihilani hotel at Ko Olina Resort & Marina will close next year and be converted into another luxury hotel likely under the Four Seasons name.

Jeff Stone, Ko Olina’s master developer, is informing employees of the JW Marriott that his company will be repurchasing the hotel after Marriott’s management agreement expires at the end of this year.

Ko Olina is buying the hotel from New York-based investment firm Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers.

Stone, in a letter to Ihilani workers dated Thursday, said the hotel will be closed throughout 2015 and reopen under "one of the top luxury resort brands in the world."

Canadian-based Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts registered a new business in Hawaii named FS Ko Olina Inc. earlier this year, while the trade name Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina at Lanikuhonua was registered by a Stone company.

Four Seasons officials previously did not return a request for comment about plans at Ko Olina.

Stone, with partners, has led a resurrection of development at the oceanfront West Oahu resort since his 1998 purchase of 344 acres of what was then a still largely undeveloped resort started by late developer Herbert Horita.

That purchase included the 387-room Ihilani hotel, which was then managed by a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, a Horita partner in Ko Olina. Marriott began managing the hotel in 1999 under its JW luxury brand.

In his letter, Stone extended gratitude to people who have shared in the growth of the resort that has included much residential development, a Marriott time-share project, a marina and Disney’s Aulani hotel.

"The incredible growth Ko Olina has experienced over the years is a direct result of your long-term commitment and dedication," Stone wrote.

In 2001, the Ihilani employed about 800 people but the number of workers now could not be immediately determined.

Stone encouraged JW Marriott employees to seek jobs with resort affiliates, and said his "soon to be named" management partner for the Ihilani will be hosting a private job fair exclusively for Ihilani employees.

"I am deeply humbled by your support of our development plans throughout the years," Stone said in the letter. "We are confident this project will solidify West Oahu’s recognition as a premier global resort location for future generations to enjoy and for your families to prosper."