The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort

The Hawaiian Tourism Authority reports that visitor arrivals to Hawaii soared 3.6 percent to more than 2.1 million people through the end of March, setting a new record. On Oahu, where first quarter arrivals by air and total visitor days are up 3.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively, over Q1 2015, things have been especially busy on the hotel front. Here are some recent highlights. Opening soon, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach is now accepting reservations. This new resort will have studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residential units, as well as penthouses, all of which afford ocean views. Amenities include an infinity pool above Waikiki with private cabanas, a selection of dining experiences and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, offering customized treatments that highlight traditions from different cultures.

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is now home to Outrigger Resorts’ first branded Voyager 47 Club Lounge in Hawaii. The newly opened lounge — available exclusively to guests staying in Voyager 47 Club suites or Voyager 47 Club oceanfront rooms — is on the third level of the resort’s Diamond Head building with both indoor and outdoor seating available. It also has an expansive deck that overlooks Waikiki Beach.

Following its $188 million “contemporary Hawaiian sophistication” room renovation, Sheraton Waikiki is marking its 45th anniversary with additional upgrades to resort technology and guest amenities, scheduled for completion this summer. As part of a nearly $5 million enhancement, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is conducting a soft refresh of all 280 guestrooms on the top 10 floors of its Ainahau Tower. Upon completion, which is scheduled for August, rooms will have all-new furniture, artwork and decorative accents. The Mailani Tower at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, has 179 transformed guestrooms and suites with ocean or pool views and private lanais, after a recently completed multimillion-dollar facelift.

Agents who call Aqua-Aston Hospitality’s new Hawaii-based, 24-hour call center can receive personalized recommendations for activities and the hotel that will best suit their clients’ needs, and will also have exclusive access to penthouse accommodations at select hotels in Waikiki — including  Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower, Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel, Aqua Bamboo Waikiki and Ewa Hotel Waikiki.

Up the road from Honolulu on Oahu’s west coast, the new Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is expected to open this summer. It has 358 guestrooms and suites, five restaurants and lounges, four pools plus white-sand beaches, a multi-level Spa and Wellness Centre, tennis facilities and watersports, and preferred access to the Ko Olina Golf Club. An introductory offer gives guests the fourth night free with every three consecutive paid nights.