While everyone is waiting to see the new Disney resort, Aulani, on Oahu, but there are plenty of other hotels throughout the island that are undergoing renovations, or offering new programs.
Renovations & Refurbishments
This spring, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa will begin making improvements to its Rainbow Tower. The renovation will include all new soft and hard goods, including the replacement of tubs, sinks, counters, beds and TVs. The work will be done in phases beginning with the top two floors and is expected to be completed by mid-December.
The Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach is currently undergoing lobby renovations that will be completed by June. The lobby will feature additional working stations in the business center, new lobby furniture, The Market, and an interactive “Go Board.”
Beginning in summer 2011, the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki will undergo a complete renovation, rebranding and repositioning as Hyatt Place Waikiki, under new owner The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC. The renovation will include a renewed pool deck, total redesign of the lobby, and full refurbishment of the guestrooms and kitchenettes. Renovations to the entire property are expected to be completed by April 2012.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort recently completed renovations to its 178-room Royal Beach Tower, marking the completion of $70 million in resort enhancements. The revamped Tower rooms and suites now offer a beach-inspired feel and include upgrades to the bathroom area, contemporary Hawaiian furnishings, plush bed linens and pink bathrobes, new carpeting and paint and more.
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa launched a $13 million resort-wide renovation project on Jan. 3 that is expected to be completed this September. The transformation includes a complete renovation of the resort’s entire third floor public areas, the introduction of two new restaurants, new poolside lounge and bar, a significantly upgraded pool deck, and an entirely new Regency Club product.
The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa completed renovations on its 387 guest rooms and suites. The refreshed guestrooms have redesigned features, including a fresh color palette, Hawaiian-inspired artwork, upgraded bathroom fixtures, and distinctive amenities. The newly redesigned Ihilani Spa has a new layout, couple’s treatment room, private suite for wedding parties or girls’ getaways, and a 24-hour fitness center.
The Doubletree-Alana Hotel Waikiki recently completed its $16-million redesign, which included makeovers to the hotel’s guestrooms, public areas, function space, and dining outlets. The 317-room boutique hotel is located at the entrance to Waikiki, close to the beach and Hawaii Convention Center.
New Programs
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is launching two new Hawaiian wedding programs that both establish the Hawaiian sense of place while also honoring traditional, non-denominational Hawaiian spiritual and cultural rituals throughout the ceremony. The Na Lani (The Heavens) and Lokahi (Unity) wedding packages will be available just in time for the spring and summer 2011 wedding season.
On Jan. 21, the Sheraton Waikiki opened the Leahi Club Lounge, an exclusive lounge for SPG Platinum members, guests who purchase upgraded packages and rooms on select floors, and guests who purchase daily lounge access. The Leahi Club Lounge is located 30 feet above Waikiki and features a media center, mini Link@Sheraton area with computer work stations, executive boardroom, high-speed wireless internet, concierge staff services, continental and hot breakfast offerings, Hawaiian-style hors de oeuvres and cocktail offers and nightly entertainment.
Hotel Renew has formed a new partnership with Gone Surfing Hawaii surf school in Waikiki to offer surfing lessons, personalized DVDs of the lessons, board rentals, and board valet on-site at the hotel.
Aqua Hotels & Resorts is introducing a “beach boutique” concept to consumers in early 2011 at select Waikiki properties--Aqua Aloha Surf, Aqua Palms & Spa, Aqua Bamboo & Spa, Best Western Coconut Waikiki, and Ilikai Hotel and Suites. New “beach boutique” amenity items will be rolling out throughout the year, including a plush, custom beach towel, sand chair and more.