10 new (and refreshed) Hawaii hotel openings in 2017
Here are several much-anticipated hotel openings in the new year
Your hotel options in Hawaii for a vacation have gotten better, with the addition of these new or recently renovated properties.
OAHU
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
Hyatt Centric, which celebrated its grand opening on January 19, is already poised to be a popular place to stay in the center of Waikiki. The former Waikiki Trade Center office building has been transformed into an urban oasis with contemporary Hawaiian art and amenities, such as an outdoor wading pool, free Wi-Fi, fitness and business centers and The Lanai, a lobby restaurant with island-inspired entrees and a full bar.
2255 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, Oahu, (808) 237-1234, waikikibeach.centric.hyatt.com or reservationsHNLCT@hyatt.com.
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki
The former Maile Sky Court is undergoing renovations and a rebranding to re-emerge as the Holiday Inn Express Honolulu-Waikiki. It will be the first property for this brand in Hawaii, and with 44 stories and nearly 600 rooms, it is billed as the largest Holiday Inn Express in the United States. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, free breakfast buffet and a fifth floor skydeck with a mini golf course, shuffleboard, giant chess set, ping pong and pool tables and an exercise room. Renovations are expected to be complete any day now.
2058 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, Oahu, (808) 947-2828, ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/honolulu/hnlka.
The Okina, Autograph Collection
With an opening scheduled for March 2017, The Okina, recently acquired by Marriott, will transform the former Aqua Waikiki Wave into an upscale, centrally located property with 251 rooms and suites on 16 floors, with a nostalgic, retro 1960s tiki vibe, hanging greenery, woven lanterns and teak accents. Amenities include babysitting services, a fitness center and free Wi-Fi. Reservations are now being accepted.
2299 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, Oahu, (808) 922-6600, autograph-hotels.marriott.com.
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Hawaii’s Pacific Beach Hotel is currently undergoing a $115 million redevelopment, from which it will emerge in late 2017 as the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. The new name means “The Heavenly Brightness” in Hawaiian, and the highlight of the redesigned hotel will be a 280,000 gallon oceanarium in the lobby, which will filter water in from the ocean and house several protected and visually stunning marine species. Two new pools and two restaurants by culinary celeb Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto are also being added. The hotel is operational while renovations are completed, but if you want the full experience, we recommend waiting until later in the year.
2490 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, Oahu, (808) 922-1233, pacificbeachhotel.com.
Prince Waikiki
The Prince Waikiki’s $55 million redevelopment, which started in late June of last year, is scheduled to be completed in March or April. Expect 28 floors of redesigned oceanfront guest rooms, new restaurants, an infinity pool, and a new high-rise wedding chapel with views of the ocean.
100 Holomoana St., Waikiki, Oahu, (808) 956-1111, reservations at 1-888-9-PRINCE, princeresortshawaii.com/prince-waikiki
Hilton Grand Islander
This addition to Hilton Hawaiian Village is a brand-new timeshare/vacation ownership complex with contemporary one- to three-bedroom suites, all offering spacious living and dining areas, open-air balconies, Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, games consoles and washer/dryers. The 37-story tower with 418 units, a spa, pools and a convenience market is expected to be completed sometime this spring.
2023 Kalia Rd., Waikiki, Oahu, (800) 219-9053, us.thegrandislander.com
Hawaii Island
Marriott’s Waikoloa Ocean Club
The sixth Marriott Vacation Club location in Hawaii and the first on Hawaii Island, Marriott’s Waikoloa Ocean Club is a vacation ownership property on the grounds of Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa that will be completed this spring. The property will have 112 one- and two-bedroom suites, along with three swimming pools, a fitness center, tennis, an on-site beach and an ancient Hawaiian fish pond, and has free parking, free Wi-Fi and no resort fee,
69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii Island, (808) 886-6789. marriott.com/waikoloa
Maui
Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
Set to open ahead of schedule on April 15, this luxury resort with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas that incorporate traditional Hawaiian design elements and locally made art is notable for its commitment to Hawaiian culture-inspired programs and giving guests an authentic Hawaiian experience. At the heart of the resort is the Puuhonua o Nanea Cultural Center, with programs in hula and music, and the language and crafts of the Hawaiian people. Amenities include a beach bar and oceanfront cabanas, a children’s beach, and the farm-to-table Makua Makai Restaurant. The hotel is currently taking reservations for May.
45 Kai Malina Parkway, Lahaina, Maui, (808) 662-2614, westinnanea.com.
Kohea Kai Resort
Opened January 20, this adults-only and LGBT-friendly boutique is a romantically casual getaway with 26 separately decorated units spread throughout several buildings. Under new ownership and recently renovated, the property offers a homey touch you won’t find at larger chains, and includes free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour “grab and go” bistro, and a great rooftop deck with barbecue grills and views of the city and the beach.
551 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, Maui, (800) 532-6284 or (808) 879-1261, koheakai.com.
Kauai
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection
Currently under construction, the plans for expansion and redesign of the Marriott’s Koloa Landing Resort includes a 12,000-square-foot conference center, poolside bar and grill, and 350,000 gallon saltwater lagoon pool with a water slide. The project, which will result in the largest luxury studio and villa complex on the island with over 300 room options, from studios to spacious four-bedroom penthouses, is scheduled for completion this March. The resort is open during construction.
2641 Poipu Rd., Koloa, Kauai, (808) 240-6600, koloalandingresort.com.
