Aqua Hotels’ appointments

Aqua Hotels & Resorts has announced hotel management positions on Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Matthew Pickett has been appointed general manager for the boutique Aqua Lotus Honolulu. With over 16 years of experience in Hawaii’s hospitality industry, including Five Diamond service and a great record of improving revenue maximization and operational efficiency, Pickett recently guided the 51-room Aqua Lotus Honolulu through a successful $2.5 million room renovation and upgrade. His knowledge and experience in food and beverage is also a great asset as the hotel will launch a new full-service restaurant in 2013. Hilmy Dole joined Aqua in June as hotel manager at the 206-room beachfront Kauai Sands Hotel. With 20 years of experience in the visitor industry, Dole has had a long history with Kauai, having opened the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in 1989. Other management positions include executive housekeeper at Fairmont Kea Lani, assistant general manager at The Kapalua Villas and front office/guest service manager at Grand Wailea Resort & Spa and general manager for Abercrombie and Kent Destination Clubs – where he managed luxury properties on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Dole will oversee the renovation and refresh scheduled for the property in 2013. Greg Peros has been named hotel manager for the 147-room Maui Beach Hotel when Aqua Hotels & Resorts became the management company for the hotel in April. Most recently, Peros was sales manager for the hotel, but his hotel career includes positions as a housekeeping manager for Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa and property operations manager with Starwood Hotels where he was part of the reopening team at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.