Dive Brief:
- Hilton has completed a $100 million renovation on the Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts, in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, transforming the property into a “fully realized resort destination,” according to a news release.
- The renovation touched nearly every part of the luxury property, including its 238 residential-style studios and suites, public spaces, amenity floors and outdoor areas, per the release. The hotel’s spa program also got a refresh in line with the rest of the property.
- The revamp of the hotel — LXR’s first in Hawaii — “marks an exciting evolution for both the LXR portfolio and Hilton Luxury globally,” Dino Michael, senior vice president and category head of luxury brands at Hilton, said in a statement.
Dive Insight:
According to Hilton, the Hawaii property underwent a transformation “rooted in Hawaiian culture and craftsmanship,” while preserving the hotel’s original footprint.
Following the theme, guest rooms blend “contemporary sophistication” with nods to the natural beauty of Hawaii through warm wood tones, textured teak and lava stone materials. Artwork celebrating the “island’s cultural landscape” is also woven throughout the property.
Residential-style suites feature fully equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms and private lanais with views of the Pacific Ocean or Fort DeRussy Beach Park, per the release.
New York City-based Bryan O’Sullivan Studio led the redesign, with architectural support from Guerin Glass Architects.
“This new design further elevates that world-class experience, giving travelers new ways to discover the very best of the islands,” Michael said in a statement.
The renovation also enhanced the hotel’s culinary program, which includes modern Hawaiian restaurant The Kini Room, lobby cocktail bar Muse Lounge and garden-inspired breakfast venue Bloom Cafe & Restaurant, according to the release.
Meanwhile, the refreshed Spa Ka La’i now features treatments “rooted in Hawaiian wellness practices,” along with revitalized outdoor space.
The renovation speaks to the trend of travelers seeking culturally immersive experiences and authenticity during their stays.
"When it comes to hospitality, today’s discerning traveler is looking for more than just sophistication,” Jason Grosfeld, chairman and CEO of Irongate Group, the real estate firm behind Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach, said in a statement. “They are seeking resorts where service feels authentic and experiences are rooted in the true character of the destination.”
Also in Hawaii, Hilton plans to open the 210-room Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi this fall, which would mark the lifestyle brand’s first hotel on the island. This comes as the Hawaii hospitality market recovers from the wildfires in Maui in 2023, as well as a COVID-related tourism slump.
Earlier this year, Hilton opened the 138-key Cameo Beverly Hills, LXR Hotels & Resorts in Los Angeles following a full renovation. LXR Hotels & Resorts is a collection of 17 luxury properties across nine countries, with 23 hotels under development, per Hilton.
The reopening of the Hawaii property also coincides with Hilton’s plans to grow its luxury portfolio. Earlier this month, Reuben Brothers announced the Marriott-branded W South Beach in Miami Beach will rebrand to Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria early next year.
Hilton also has other Waldorf Astoria projects in the works, with plans to bring a Waldorf Astoria and residential property to Utah’s Deer Valley Resort in 2028. A Waldorf Astoria hotel is also expected to debut in Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, with an opening date set for 2027.
