A new era for the Pacific Star Resort & Spa will begin soon. Eastern Contractors Corp. anticipates renovations will begin in October, more than a year since the property was purchased.
In April 2025, Eastern purchased the property under Cartium Enterprise LLC for $33 million; with the sale including the hotel and parking garage.
Renovations were estimated to cost an additional $60 million and remain the same as the property has sustained minor damage since the purchase date. Given that the hotel was in good condition and structurally intact, the company saw the hotel as a worthwhile investment.
Noel Tolentino, director of operations for Eastern, told the Journal that planning is underway.
Operations director Noel Tolentino at Eastern Contractors Corp.’s branch office in Barrigada. Photos by Katie Aizon
The company has begun demolition and is currently awaiting approval for construction drawings and permits. “The pre-final drawings are done but it is being reviewed by our engineering team in Georgia,” he said.
Given the progress, the company anticipates beginning upgrading the hotel soon.
“To renovate it, if we can start in October, we’re looking at finishing it early in the second quarter of 2028,” Tolentino said. While the company is looking to finish the project by April 2028, he said that completion will take a while due to shipment of materials, including air conditioning and electrical equipment.
Furthermore, as the Pacific Star gets closer to officially renovating, a Qualifying Certificate Grant under the Guam Economic Development Authority is in progress and the company awaits word from GEDA.
At the time of purchase, Sen. Jesse A. Lujan, chairman of the Tourism Committee of the 38th Guam Legislature, said the company sought to bring in an international hotel operator.
The renovation of the Pacific Star Resort & Spa in Tumon is targeted to start in October.
Tolentino said doing so remains to be seen. “That’s still open. Our chairman hasn’t decided yet, but we’re moving forward with the renovation to make sure that it’s better than any hotel around,” he said. “But as far as the operation itself, we’re looking at on island or somewhere else.”
Eastern is also focused on other $53 million worth of projects, including work at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam, renewable energy projects and several military contracts on island.
Tolentino said Eastern looks forward to working on the Pacific Star Resort & Spa and contributing to the hospitality industry. “We’re excited and after renovating we’ll share it to the people of Guam and say, ‘Here’s the result of our investment,’” he said. “If it’s going to be operational then that means more work [opportunities] for the people of Guam.” mbj
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