FIRST PEEK: Marriott and Ian Schrager’s new Waikiki Edition hotel

Oct 2, 2012

John Heckathorn,

The new Waikiki Edition hotel doesn’t officially open until Oct. 15, but, of course, HAWAII Magazine got behind the scenes to get you a sneak preview.

Waikiki is the first of five Edition hotels opened by the partnership of Marriott and hip hotelier Ian Schrager. The new hotel occupies one wing of the historic Ilikai Hotel. On the outside, it looks the same, minus the Ilikai’s signature aquamarine trim.

Inside, it sure doesn’t look like the Ilikai.

In fact, it looks more like an upscale East Coast beach house transported to Hawaii, with a few Island touches.

On the other hand, it’s spanking new, contemporary in style, with remarkable attention to detail. Down to the subtle scent in air, an exclusive for this hotel, called “Home Away From Home,” with a slight aroma of black tea.

The Edition is offering an introductory rate of $195 for rooms booked by Oct. 15, good for stays through Feb. 2011. After Oct. 15, rates start at $375.

Let’s take a look.

The bellmen at the entrance look East Coast preppy, but we’re not sure we’d like to wear a cardigan to work in Hawaii.

Here’s a Hawaii touch, a collage of broken surfboards behind the front desk.

The bookcase in the lobby swings open at 4 p.m. (Those are digital photo frames you’re seeing.)

Hidden behind the bookcase, the spacious lobby bar.

We took a first peek at Ian Schrager and Marriott’s new Waikiki Edition hotel. Here we are on the second floor, which doubles as the pool deck.

This is the view from a second floor lanai. That’s the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor in the sunset.

The adults-only Sunset Pool. Looks great, but it’s only 6-inches deep. At night it lights up.

Here’s the attraction of the Sunset Pool, the pool bar. It’s on the sand, which has been carted up to the second floor.

The hotel’s main pool, the Sunrise Pool, is down a level, surrounded by a wood deck.

We took a first peek at Ian Schrager and Marriott’s new Waikiki Edition hotel. It’s stylish, and it hosts a restaurant from Iron Chef Masuhara Morimoto, called, what else, Morimoto Waikiki.

Here’s the restaurant interior. Lots of white, lots of green accents, lots of large seashells hanging from the ceiling.

Morimoto’s also serves food in this adjunct of the Sunset Pool bar, which is nicer than most pool bars we remember.

Also on the same floor is the hotel’s spa, full of signature products.

Here we are on the 16th and 17th floors of Ian Schrager and Marriott’s new Waikiki Edition hotel, looking at a typical room and the penthouse suite.

The sitting area in a typical room. Note the Hawaii-style wooden louvers. Otherwise, not too Island style.

Here’s an Island touch—an ukulele and sarongs in every room.

Every bed has the same “casually placed” gray throw.

The penthouse suite is stretches out, with a wrap-around lanai. In case you feel like reading, the bookcase is lined with leather-bound classic novels.