Iconic luxury hotels in Hawaii are enhancing their game. From Honolulu to Hualalai, plan your next Aloha State getaway with these updates in mind.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, is an Old World standard. The “Pink Palace of the Pacific” opened in 1927 and has never gone out of style. A little renovation now and then has kept it in tune with the times, though.
The hotel’s latest upgrade debuted April 1, and Travel Agent was there for a preview.
The Royal Beach Tower has been spiffed up and renamed The Mailani Beach Tower. The idea is to provide an enhanced experience for tower guests. It’s not quite a hotel-within-a-hotel, but close.
Upon arrival, guests are whisked off to a dedicated Mailani Beach Tower reception desk. It’s next to a new open-air “lounge” that transforms the tower rooms into a club level of sorts.
Mailani Beach Tower rooms have been refreshed with a more beach-inspired feel. We especially like the Pink Frette bathrobes and amenities by Malie Organics. (Reed diffusers in island-inspired scents are best-sellers in the resort’s Malie Organics shop.)
Top-level accommodations at The Royal Hawaiian are its four Prestige Suites. Only one, the 17th-floor Alii Suite, is in the Mailani Tower. It can be connected to an adjoining room to create a second bedroom. The other three Prestige Suites: The King Kamehameha and the two-bedroom Royal Hawaiian and Queen Kaahumanu Suites, are in the Historic Wing.
Visit www.royal-hawaiian.com
In contrast to The Royal Hawaiian, the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk is a modern marvel. The 38-story tower across from Waikiki Beach is a favorite of celebrities such as Rihanna. It’s big with the baby-stroller set as well.
That’s probably due to its residential-style design. Rooms and suites range in size from 355 to 2,050 square feet. Configurations include studios, one, two and three bedrooms. All feature gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances; marble-accented baths; and washer/dryer units.
The Trump’s top digs are located on its top three floors. Trump Executive Suites feature upgraded furnishings and décor, along with impressive Waikiki views. Even more over-the-top (this is Trump after all) is the Diamond Head Penthouse Suite. Its eclectic, modern décor includes a glass-walled bedroom, sleek Italian cabinetry plus a hot tub on the terrace. Its best feature, however, is the panoramic view of Waikiki, the Honolulu cityscape, and Koolau Mountains.
Visit www.trumphotelcollection.com/waikiki
On Hawaii Island, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu holds a perennial spot on global “best of” lists. It’s easy to understand why. The expansive property on the south Kona-Kohala Coast is surrounded by white sands, lava rock and the mesmerizing surf. Always popular with high-profile guests, it’s introduced new features for top suites.
The new Suite Experience Managers program provides an around-the-clock concierge team for the top 10 of the resort’s 51 suites and villas. Those top suites are the most in-demand, especially for extended family groups. They include the Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa and Makaloa Villa. Both feature three bedrooms.
If you don’t book a suite, make sure to secure an Oceanview Deluxe Room. Our favorites are the downstairs versions, featuring outdoor lava rock garden showers.
Visit www.fourseasons.com/hualalai
Twenty miles up the Kohala Coast, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is marking a milestone. It’s been 50 years since Laurance S. Rockefeller built the region’s first resort on the edge of Kaunaoa Bay.
The classic of mid-century architectural design is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Its 252 guest rooms are newly refreshed in time for the half-centennial. Festivities began in December 2014 and will continue throughout 2015. A gala week celebration takes place from July 21-24.
If you plan to catch any 50th festivities, book as soon as possible. The most-requested room categories are on the eighth floor and include the Premium Ocean View Deluxe category and the 1,610-square-foot Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa Suites.
The Mauna Kea’s Beachfront Wing is popular with guests who want direct beach access. Renovations in 2013 created rooms with huge walk-in closets and a new bathroom floor plan. The resulting tub and shower room is big enough to live in.
Visit www.princeresortshawaii.com/maunakea and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest Hawaii news.