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Hyatt awaits final contract of lease renewal from DPL
Nick Nishikawa
A month after the CNMI Department of Public Lands sent Hyatt Regency Saipan a draft agreement for the renewal of the hotel’s land lease, there is still no official contract of lease that has been signed by the two parties—just months before the lease expires in December 2021.
“The news went out first, but we are still waiting for an official contract of the lease. …Basically, there has been an overall agreement but we still have to see an official contract of lease, which the owner (Kobe Portopia Hotel Corp. which does business as Hyatt Regency Saipan) signs, followed by DPL and go for public posting for 15 days for public comment(s),” said Hyatt general manager Nick Nishikawa.
In spite of that, Nishikawa assured that it is business as usual at Hyatt, debunking talks that the hotel’s food and beverage services will be closing temporarily effective July 1.
“We are not closing. Currently, Miyako is open for lunch and Kili Café [is open] for dinner with limited set menu. We will be starting buffet lunch and dinner style on certain days that will follow government regulations and protocols on COVID-19,” he said.
As for renovations, Nishikawa said that is not happening yet. “Our rooms are open for guests…and we are ready to accept tourists anytime.”
The draft lease agreement is for another 40-year land lease.
In an earlier interview, Nishikawa said that he hopes that the community wants to see the new Hyatt in the event it gets its lease renewal. “Our vision is to remain in the CNMI and it is unbreakable. …The management in Japan is willing to continue Hyatt operations when we get the lease extension. …The past months have been very difficult and this is the same with other hotels. I had a discussion with the owner and Hyatt whether we should close or not because ceasing the operations of the hotel entails less expense than keeping it open. But we don’t have the heart to close the hotel and was told by the owner to do whatever we can do to serve the guests.,” he said.
