Aqua Hotels & Resorts has expanded its brand to the Neighbor Islands, taking over management of the Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa for owner Black Diamond Hospitality Investments LLC.

The 72-room, all-suite resort in Wailea on Maui's southwest coast marks Aqua's first expansion beyond Waikiki.

Black Diamond Hospitality Investments envisions a future renovation that will reposition the resort as an upscale luxury boutique.

"The signing of Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa affirms Aqua's plan to grow throughout the Islands," said Benjamin Rafter, Aqua's President and CEO.

"Maui tops the list each year as 'Favorite Island in the World' in Conde Nast Traveler's reader polls," Rafter said. "Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa also gives Aqua a unique opportunity to introduce our boutique hospitality experience to Maui visitors, and it's a great way for Aqua to start 2009."

Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa's guest suites offer 900 square feet of living space including a bedroom, sitting area, kitchenette and lanai.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts is a management company founded in 2001 by Hawai'i hotelier Mike Paulin. Aqua last year announced plans to expand to the Neighbor Islands, the Mainland and internationally.

The company is known for strategies that emphasize service — apples and bottled water at the front desk, free local newspapers and Internet — rather than beachfront resorts with cookie-cutter amenities.

Rafter has said the company wants to double in size within the next couple of years, starting with Maui, the Big Island and California, and globally to Australia and New Zealand.