We deserve to know what’s really occurring behind this Hyatt “deal”

By Mabel Doge Luhan

Oops, he did it again!

I am referring, of course, to Bryan Manabat, and his headline in the October 23 Marianas Variety: “Former Hyatt to reopen as Sheraton hotel”

The first paragraph (JOURNALISTS CALL IT A GRAF):

“The former Hyatt Regency Saipan will reopen as a Sheraton hotel based on a memorandum of agreement signed by MB Capital LLC and Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of Marriot International Inc.”

Not knowing how to even spell Marriott (seven times in this article) demonstrates Manabat’s in-depth research on this one! Why, with that kind of in-depth knowledge, he should go to work for MVA!

But while the article implies that the hotel will soon be reopening as a Sheraton, we find out later that (Manabat quoting David Hood) “We signed the MOU on Monday” — oh, an MOU, signed two days ago. Meaning an informal, non-binding note saying that they’re going to discuss the matter. And Sheraton might consider the property for a management contract. Why, this reminds me of when Orville got a match on his orange-and-black video game and claimed that it meant he was getting his hole stuffed on the morrow!

Speaking of stuffed turkeys: “He said they will try to open by Thanksgiving next month,” Manabat helpfully informs us.

What does “try to” mean — what are they going to actually, measurably do? What is “they”: the entire hotel, just the restaurant, just the “former Regency club, but we will not call it that anymore,” or maybe the Tesla test-drive station? Absolutely no answer to these questions in the article.

Certainly, the article’s implication that the hotel will be a Sheraton next month is, in my opinion as an opium-addled opinion columnist with absolutely no industry experience, at best misleading. In fact, Manabat seems to even know it: “MB Capital must satisfy the conditions for re-branding.” You know, conditions, like overhauling the entire hotel. Which isn’t going to be done by Thanksgiving.

In fact, “The planned renovation won’t start until the end of next year, 2025 or 2026.”

So which is it? Opening by Thanksgiving? Renovation at the end of 2025? Or 2026?

Exactly what have MB Capital and Starwood promised each other?

Manabat doesn’t know, or at least isn’t telling. In fact, he doesn’t seem to have asked for a copy of the MOU that is supposedly the subject of the entire article. I HOPE HE GOT THE GARLIC FRIED RICE UPGRADE FOR THIS ONE.

And those qualifying certificates for several David Hood -linked businesses? Any mention of them? Does that mean that this new hotel won’t be paying taxes?

The Variety won’t tell us. As obsessed as they are with taxes being bad, they refuse to report on tax abatements and liens filed for unpaid taxes. “Ranking officials” are involved, you know. (Cue scary music and Variety’s “journalists” hiding under their desks.)

Funny how this announcement of a seemingly (IN MY UNPROFESSIONAL OPINION) meaningless MOU was trotted out right before the election.

The only question is what does MB Capital want in return? When are we getting a pitch for “support” or “investment” or “partnership?”

I’m sure the Marianas Variety will report the facts. CHAROT!