Five Hawaii Hotel Renovations to Know About Now

By Joe Pike Feb 28, 2018 11:09am

Although new hotel openings in the Aloha State don't occur as frequently as they do in other destinations, Hawaii is constantly updating its hotel products, from subtle renovations to massive transformation projects. Here are five projects to keep in mind.

Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger Has Soft Opening

With its 70th anniversary in full stride, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts officially held a soft opening of Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger on February 1 with plans to fully open by the summer following a $25 million renovation.

The renovation will include all-new guest rooms and meeting spaces, as well as a revamped lobby. The phased renovation schedule is designed to minimize guest disruption.

Situated steps from Waikiki Beach and adjacent to the revamped International Market Place, Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger is home to some of Hawaii’s dining hotspots including Maui Brewing Co. and Hawaiian Aroma Caffe.

Serving brews from morning to night, guests can have artesian coffee and light bites in a chic poolside cafe or sample a flight of award-winning, Maui-brewed craft beer with fresh, island-inspired eats.

Visit www.outrigger.com and www.waikikibeachcomber.com

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach Officially Opens

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach officially opened its doors in Honolulu toward the end of last year after an extensive $115 million transformation of the former Pacific Beach Hotel.

Located in the heart of Waikiki, Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has 839 rooms; five new culinary concepts, with the two Morimoto restaurants coming soon; and a destination pool deck, along with authentic design touches inspired by Oahu’s landscape and cultural heritage.

The resort also has six one-bedroom guest suites with living rooms, a dining nook and wet bar, plus a bathroom with dual vanities, a wet room with a rain shower and a soaking tub. All guest rooms and suites also have Malie Organics' Koke'e scented bath products.

Alohilani Resort also hosts collaborations with “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto; New York architecture and design firm, the Rockwell Group; and architectural firms, WATG and Pacific Asia Design Group.

Lobby features include the O Bar with a 280,000-gallon saltwater oceanarium that is home to more than 1,000 indigenous marine life and replica coral reef formations; new guest services and group arrival spaces; a residential-style business center; and retail boutiques.

A new destination pool deck on the fifth floor overlooking Waikiki Beach features a saltwater infinity pool along with chic social and relaxation spaces.

The pool experience also includes Swell Bar, five cabanas perched atop a reflecting pool, tiered day beds and custom teak furniture, driftwood sculptures, lanterns and fire pits. Family guests can enjoy a separate, adjacent family pool.

Alohilani Resort is home to Island Club and Spa, a luxury fitness and spa brand that features a fitness center on the third floor overlooking the saltwater oceanarium. Additional key amenities include a movement studio for daily classes including aquatic Vinyasa yoga classes and Fitness on Demand virtual classes. Three spa treatment rooms, including a couple's room for massages, body treatments and facials, are available.

Group can enjoy access to nearly 20,000 square feet of redeveloped meeting and event space across a variety of indoor and outdoor options. From social events and weddings to meetings, retreats and conferences, the resort offers new and enhanced spaces from more than 1,500 square feet to nearly 12,000 square feet.

Visit www.alohilaniresort.com/special-offers/sneakpeek and www.alohilaniresort.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Completes Massive Renovation

A solid fit for families, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, a luxury resort located on Maui, has announced the completion of massive renovation that practically transformed the resort. The resort now offers upgraded guest rooms, suites and residences, an enhanced lobby and pool experience, and the new Kai Cafe.

Celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, these new enhancements aim to honor the last quarter of a century while ushering in what the hotel is billing as a new wave of natural Aloha.

The new guest rooms, suites, and residences have floor-to-ceiling windows and the resort’s elevated lobby experience is inspired by the Hawaiian word, Mana, meaning the power of the elemental forces in nature embodied in an object or person. Lighting and elements of fire aim to meld with organic lines and textures to create an indoor-outdoor feeling.

The 10,000-square foot, three-level pool and 20,000-square-foot sun deck are now accompanied by upgraded Cabana Suites complete with butler service, flat screen televisions and a private refrigerator. Also new is refreshed landscaping, including the addition of puakenikeni trees, hibiscus and lauhala.

Located on the lobby level of the resort, the new Kai Cafe offers an array of house-made pastries, organic smoothies, fresh local coffee and deli selections, tropical fruits, sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is part of Marriott International, Inc. and currently operates more than 90 hotels and 40 residential properties in more than 30 countries and territories.

Visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/kapalua-maui

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Announces $26.5 Million Renovation

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii has announced that a $26.5 million renovation is underway to transform the resort’s 508 guest rooms and suites.

The historic resort, situated on 23 oceanfront acres at iconic Puu Kekaa (Black Rock) on Kaanapali Beach, was the first resort to open in Ka‘anapali in 1963. It celebrates its 55th anniversary on January 23, 2018.

The room refresh incorporates 464 guest rooms, 43 suites and one presidential suite and is scheduled for completion in summer 2018.

Colors and textures utilized throughout the resort’s six buildings are inspired by the culture and island landscapes of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. The Anuenue and Nalu buildings will be themed around the culture and colors of Maui. Lahaina and Ohana buildings will take inspiration from the vision of Lanai in the distance, incorporating ethereal and abstract artwork and orange and blue tones.

Moana and Hoku buildings, located atop Puu Kekaa above the ocean, will feature views of the Pacific Ocean and verdant Molokai. The new guest room design by AHL, formerly Architects Hawaii Ltd., aims to blends past with present, honoring the history and sense of place found at Puu Kekaa while modernizing the living and bathroom spaces.

Visit www.sheraton-maui.com

Meet the Revamped Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

As part of a nearly $5 million enhancement completed in 2016, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani now offers two new room categories on the top 10 floors of its newly renovated Ainahau Tower.

Offering Waikiki skyline views, rooms have all-new furniture, artwork, and decorative accents. Adding to the resort’s now-total of 1,140 rooms is the newly renovated Kaiulani category with a limited view and private balcony plus upgraded bathrooms.

A prior property makeover included additional room renovations as well as updates to the Sheraton Fitness Center, Sheraton Link and lobby area.

Visit www.princess-kaiulani.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.