W Honolulu loses its W, becomes The Lotus

The W Honolulu Diamond Head will get a name change on Friday when Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii stops managing the 50-room boutique hotel on Waikiki’s Gold Coast.

Management of Hawaii’s only W branded hotel will transfer to Castle Resorts & Hotels, which is renaming the property The Lotus at Diamond Head.

What does this mean if you’re holding W Honolulu reservations?

First, the good news. The Lotus will honor existing reservations. The bad news? The Lotus will not be participating in any Starwood-sponsored programs, including Starwood Preferred Guest and all Starwood airline partner or other partner points-earning programs.

Click here for a link to Starwood Preferred Guest or call 888-625-4988.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii rechristened the hotel—nestled in the shadow of neighboring Diamond Head monument—under its modern luxe W Hotel brand in 1999. It had previously operated for years as the Colony Surf Hotel.

As with other metro hotels under the W brand, the W Honolulu’s bar and restaurant quickly became a favorite post-sunset hangout for young adults. By day, its location overlooking Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head held appeal for travelers seeking a more relaxed setting still within walking distance to central Waikiki and near the beach.

Castle Hotels and Resorts manages 20 Hawaii properties.