Top Marriott exec shifts to Highgate

Kelly Sanders, a prominent executive with Marriott Hotels & Resorts, is moving to Highgate, where he will serve as the company’s top official in Hawaii.

The 51-year-old Sanders said he will begin serving as Highgate’s vice president of operations in Waikiki starting March 5. Sanders will oversee Highgate’s management of six Waikiki hotels: the Aston Waikiki, Courtyard Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki Pearl, Ambassador Hotel and the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach — which will hold a grand opening in April after undergoing a more than $115 million overhaul and rebranding.

“We’re excited to have Kelly join the Highgate team. His background and achievements in hospitality and passion for guest experience will further the success of our Waikiki properties,” said Steve Barick, chief operating officer of Highgate.

A member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board, Sanders entered Hawaii’s hospitality industry in 2006 as Sheraton Waikiki general manager and worked his way up to Starwood/Marriott area general manager for Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

“Sanders’ departure marks the end of a 12-year tenure, which saw remarkable achievements including the $200 million renovation of the Sheraton Waikiki, the rebranding of the Moana Surfrider, as well as the transition from Starwood to Marriott International,” said Harris Chan, area vice president, Marriott International, Hawaii and French Polynesia.

Sanders said he is grateful for the leadership training and opportunities that Starwood and Marriott made available to him, but was drawn to Highgate because of the company’s aggressive expansion into Hawaii over the last eight months and its future plans.

“There are plans for additional investment for the Ambassador to experience a complete rebranding and renovation similar to what is ongoing at the Alohilani,” Sanders said. “I do know they also have some interesting work coming up for the Waikiki Pearl.”

Sanders said he got his start in hospitality as a bus boy in Pocatello, Idaho. He worked his way through the University of Utah by serving as a hotel night auditor and joined Doubletree upon graduation. He transitioned to Starwood after the company acquired the Doubletree where he was working.

“At the time I joined Starwood, it only had 68 hotels, but they had huge vision and goals,” Sanders said. “Twenty-one years later that company is part of Marriott — at 6,400 hotels strong it’s the largest hotel company in the world.”

Sanders said he envisions a similar rise for Highgate, which he views as “the next big thing.”