‘70s theme to celebrate Mariana Resort’s 36th year

Mariana Resort & Spa Saipan will celebrate its 36th anniversary Saturday night with a ?70s theme party. (Contributed photo)

Dust off the platform shoes and bell-bottoms, as Mariana Resort & Spa Saipan gives everyone a trip down memory lane when it celebrates its 36th anniversary Saturday night.
The Marpi landmark will be treating over 300 invited guests tomorrow evening to a retro party to rival no other, with Mariana Resort wait staff wearing fashion trends made famous by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever and the resort’s décor mimicking the lights and sounds of the disco era’s Studio 54.

Mariana Resort general manager Gloria Cavanagh said what better way to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Marpi landmark than to throw a ‘70s theme party since the resort was established in 1978.

“We really want to recreate the whole disco atmosphere so it will be very lively. Our staff will be in ‘70s costume and some will even be wearing afros. Guests can dress in costume if they want to but they’re not obliged to.”

The “Let’s bring you back to 1978” theme also comes complete with a disc jockey that will churn out hits from that era.

Also part of the evening’s headliners are Esther Sablan’s dancers. Mariana Resort property manager Charlene Babauta said the group will perform a 5-10 minute show for everyone to enjoy.

Executive chef William Retardo said they will not be sparing any expense with the party food and are now preparing a buffet spread comparable if not exceeding the one they set up during the grand opening of Mariana Ocean months back.

“We will be having local food, a lot of seafood, sushi, teppanyaki items, and everyone’s favorite, my specialty paella. There will also be free-flowing wine, beer, and champagne all night. More or less the party will cost $12,000—the same cost as the Mariana Ocean grand opening,” Retardo said.

Cavanagh said she’s very sure the people who showed up the last time during the Mariana Ocean grand opening will show up again in tomorrow evening’s anniversary party.

She also guaranteed that the formalities will be kept to a minimum, with only two speeches scheduled that evening: Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ and owner Yoshihiro Kitami’s.

“Like the last party, there won’t be long speeches. We just want everybody to enjoy. Only two speakers—the governor and Kitami—and that’s it. Let’s party!”

Yoshihiro Kitami’s father and founder of Mariana Resort, Haruo Kitami, will be joined by his two brothers, Naoki and Takeo, during the celebration, as well as Akira Kanematsu, who has been one of the instrumental figures in the establishment of the hotel.

“The dedication and the loyalty of the Kitami family has always set Mariana Resort apart from other hotels on Saipan. In fact, we’re the only Japanese company that has never left. We’ve been here during good times, bad times, and the worse times and they never at any point in time thought about selling the place. This is their home,” said Cavanagh.

Mariana Resort will also use the 36th anniversary party to announce future plans.

“It’s time for us to expand and re-look at our master plan and get moving. Of course, one of the reasons is the lease. When you say we’re 36 years in operation that means we only have four years left on the 40-year lease. We’re in the middle of negotiations and hopefully we’ll get a new lease. We’re discussing with DPL [Department of Public Lands] right now and we’re starting on our architectural design on expansion,” said Cavanagh.

Also in the pipeline is Mariana Resort’s entry into the electronic gaming scene, with part of its former outdoor restaurant being retrofitted for that purpose. Cavanagh said they’re looking at holding another grand opening for their e-gaming facility in July.

Babauta, meanwhile, assured that tomorrow night’s guests wouldn’t have a dull moment. “I Hope guests who come here Saturday will see the improvements that we made and the efforts we are making to make this place great not only for the tourists but also for our local guests.”