There's Always Something New on Oahu - November 2008

O‘AHU – The Island of O‘ahu, known as the Heart of Hawai‘iÒ, sets the rhythm of the islands and leads by example with new improvements, changes and additions on an ongoing basis.  Below is a glimpse of what’s new on O‘ahu:

Hotels & Resorts

The island of O‘ahu has fabulous hotels and resorts for people of all ages and budgets.  O‘ahu’s hotels are constantly updating and adding an array of activities and packages that are sure to make any trip to O‘ahu unforgettable.

• Hilton Grand Vacations is scheduled to open its 38-story high-rise tower, The Grand Waikikian, in December 2008.  The Grand Waikikian will include 331 units, a retail shopping arcade, beachside restaurant, and super pool with waterfalls, a slide and a swim-through grotto. 
• Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is upgrading guestrooms in its Rainbow and Tapa Towers.  When guestrooms in the Tapa Tower reopen in mid-November 2008, they will feature a new, warmer color scheme.  In the Rainbow Tower, guestrooms will receive new bathroom fixtures, carpet, wall covering, mirrors, artwork, and furniture.  The Rainbow Tower’s renovations are expected to be completed in 2010. 
• The Outrigger Reef on the Beach has opened its brand new Pacific Tower, marking the beginning of the final phase of the hotel’s $110 million transformation project.  The Pacific Tower includes 403 guestrooms and 33 suites with modern amenities, full-sized tubs and made-in-Hawai‘i bath amenities in every room.  The Outrigger Reef also recently completed its porte cochere and driveway that includes a historic, restored century-old canoe.  In coming months, the property will welcome several more shops, a new pool deck, and the Kani Ka Pila Grille, a casual poolside restaurant highlighting Hawai‘i’s rich musical legacy with live performances by legendary island musicians and up-and-coming talent. 
• Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef on the Beach are enticing guests to volunteer a portion of their vacation time to Whale Watch Counts, an annual program of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.  Volunteers gather along the shorelines on select dates during Hawai‘i’s humpback whale season to help collect data about these protected marine mammals.  In early 2009, Whale Watch Counts is scheduled for January 31, February 28 and March 28.  To encourage guests to volunteer a few hours of their vacation time to the Whale Watch Count effort, both hotels are offering a free eco-tote to any guest who volunteers for the event. 
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa completed a $28 million guestroom renovation project to its oceanfront Kealohilani Tower.  Featuring “beach house” inspired interiors that reflect a stylish and fresh Hawai‘i residential feel and look, the 605 guestrooms and suites in the Kealohilani Tower include granite tops and birch wood furnishings, as well as splashes of vibrant color accents, prints and textures.  In keeping with the resort’s business model to practice responsible energy consumption and waste reduction, the room renovations feature a green, eco-friendly twist.
• The Sheraton Waikiki reopened its Hawaii Ballroom after a complete $5 million renovation.  The 45,000 square-foot indoor ballroom facility now boasts state-of-the-art lighting and signage, an energy-efficient kitchen, new digital reader displays, carpets, wallpapers, ceiling fixtures, paint, restrooms, and doors.  In addition, food and beverage menu items now use fresh, locally grown ingredients and have been completely reimagined by Sheraton Waikiki’s executive chef, Daniel Delbrel.  The new menus include signature, organic house wines by Mendocino winery and original desserts by Satura Cakes. 
• Aqua Hotels & Resorts recently completed extensive renovations to two of its Waikīkī properties.  The 94-room Aqua Bamboo & Spa has been refreshed with a $2.5 million upgrade of its guestrooms and public areas.  In August, Aqua Hotels & Resorts joined with Best Western International to promote the Best Western Coconut Waikiki, the first Best Western hotel in Waikīkī.  The 81-room Coconut Waikiki reopened in June 2008 after a $2.6 million renovation upgrade. 
• The Royal Hawaiian will reopen in January 2009 after an extensive upgrade.  Spa suites, a “Tower within the Tower” hotel concept and other “Only at The Royal” amenities are planned to help redefine The Royal Hawaiian as a premier luxury hotel in Hawai‘i.  The restored hotel will highlight O‘ahu’s culture and history with new guest programs, refined service and an elevated ambiance.  The hotel’s private pool cabanas, Hawaiian cultural programs, and historical and tropical garden tours will continue. 
• This month, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort opened Moana Lani Spa, a Heavenly Spa by Westin™.  The 16,000 square-foot oceanfront spa features two couples treatment suites with private oceanfront lanais and whirlpool tubs, eight custom massage therapy rooms, two body treatment rooms, a Vichy shower water therapy room, three custom facial rooms, and a WestinWORKOUT® fitness center with 24-hour access.
• Now through December 21, 2008, with a booking of 20 or more sleeping rooms, Ala Moana Hotel is offering groups a choice of a free meeting room for a full day or 25 percent off one meal function – allowing groups to save big on event costs.  Conveniently located in the heart of Honolulu, Ala Moana Hotel offers competitive group room rates, ample function space and first-class catering, making it an ideal venue for groups of any size.
• [Back to Press Releases Main]