While new hotel and resort development is slower these days, Hawaii continues to welcome important new players on the scene, including the state’s first Disney resort and sleek and sophisticated Waikiki hotels from Ian Schrager and Donald Trump.
At the same time, hotels and resorts throughout the islands have been staying ahead of the curve with enhancements and renovations, enticing groups with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor venues, club lounges, spas and restaurants showcasing locally sourced cuisine prepared by celebrated chefs.
OAHU
By far the biggest infrastructure upgrade of the past five years has been centered in Waikiki, where a $5 billion investment in everything from historic markers to hotel renovations has infused new life into this urban resort destination. Among the many new additions in recent years is the Waikiki Beach Walk, an enticing pedestrian walkway lined with distinctive restaurants and shops, and sleek hotels such as Ian Schrager’s Waikiki EDITION and Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk.
Topping the list of major hotel makeovers are the recent completion of a nearly $200 million renovation of the Sheraton Waikiki, which included a new spa, club lounge and lagoon pool complex, and the restoration of its legendary neighbor, the Royal Hawaiian. Renovations have also recently been unveiled at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and the Illikai Hotel and Suites.
According to Michael Murray, vice president of sales and marketing for the corporate, meetings and incentive division of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Waikiki scored high marks from planners attending PRIME 2011, an international meetings expo, held there in June.
“Planners who hadn’t been to Waikiki in several years were pleasantly surprised to see the transformation—what’s happened all the way from the pedestrian experience on up to the hotel improvements,” he says.
Angela Vento, regional director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hawaii, which operates the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian and other hotels in the district, also says Waikiki’s rejuvenation is being noted by planners.
“As people are surprised by Waikiki as a destination, we are seeing more meetings based there and then heading out to the neighbor islands for pre- and post-tours,” she says. “Even incentives are now considering Waikiki—something that hasn’t happened in years.”
Outside of Waikiki, Oahu offers several resort properties, including Turtle Bay Resort, which is located on the North Shore and recently became part of Benchmark Hospitality’s new Personal Luxury Collection brand.
Ko Olina, a resort complex on the west side of the island, is where Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is set to debut this month, offering 350 guest rooms, 480 timeshare villas, a full-service spa and 8,000 square feet of meeting space.
Also at Ko Olina, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa recently refurbished all 387 guest rooms and redesigned its award-winning Ihilani Spa. According to Chris Tatum, vice president-Hawaii for Marriott International, the fact that the renovation of the JW Marriott Ihilani is coinciding with the opening of the Disney resort is good timing.
“With Disney coming in, the focus on Ko Olina will be ramped up, so the entire destination will benefit,” he says.
KAUAI
New meeting facilities and restaurants, a redesigned lobby and new pool area are part of a major renovation taking place at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. Already completed is the expanded Ocean Pool, adjacent Lava Lava Bar & Grill and RumFire, a signature restaurant with an oceanfront location, fire pits and menu featuring locally inspired cuisine.
In September, the hotel will unveil new oceanfront meeting space for up to 150 people.
“This hotel has always been strong for meetings, but the new additions will open us up for more corporate and incentive business,” Vento says. “RumFire, which has an open kitchen, offers a lot of possibilities for events, such as chef’s table, cooking demonstrations and wine pairings.”
Both the Kauai Marriott Resort and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa recently emerged from property-wide renovations. At the Kauai Marriott, a $50 million makeover included the refurbishment of all 356 guest rooms as well as Kakui’s restaurant and the Aupaka Terrace Lounge.
At the Grand Hyatt, improvements included the renovation of all guest rooms and suites as well as an expanded spa that now features outdoor treatment areas. The resort’s Poipu Bay Golf Course has new greens featuring eco-friendly grass requiring less water and herbicides.
The Napili Kai Resort unveiled a renovation last year of its oceanfront Puna II building, which included new furnishings for its studio and one-bedroom units.
MAUI
One of Hawaii’s most secluded and upscale resorts, the former Hotel Hana-Maui, was recently acquired by Travaasa Destinations, which opened its first branded resort, Travaasa Austin, in the Texas Hill Country in April. Renamed Travaasa Hana, the property features 70 cottages and suites, a spa, dining room and indoor and outdoor function spaces for up to 150 people.
In December, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa unveiled a renovation that included a guest room refurbishment and a new dining venue, Japengo, serving Asian fusion cuisine and featuring design elements inspired by a Japanese fishing village.
BIG ISLAND
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel completed a $35 million renovation of its 454 guest rooms and public areas. The improvements included new Hawaiian-inspired furnishings as well as a new infinity edge pool, retail shops and restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining.
At the Fairmont Orchid, guest rooms have been enhanced with new linens, draperies, carpeting and artwork to reflect a contemporary Hawaiian feel.
