New in Waikiki? Aloha Chic, and some call it Alohilani Resort
Hawaii Tourists are now in for “Aloha Chic”. Waikiki Tourism is in for a transition. The new oceanfront Alohilani Resort at Waikiki Beach is Aloha Chic.
After spending $115 million for this re-development, the former independent 3 star Pacific Beach Hotel is in the process to reopen as the 4 star Alohilani Resort Beach Hotel. A new oasis of tranquility in the heart of all the tourist action.
The name and most of the resort already changed. Now under the name Alohilani Resort, it’s still one of the very few independent resorts in the Aloha State.
Aloha Chic stands for a new look, a new vision, and a new chapter in keeping Aloha alive in Waikiki. With every space envisioned by the award-winning design firm, Rockwell Group a little more of the new authentic Hawaiian resort is visible. The result: a retreat that is fresh, welcoming, and relaxing.
The resort will feature two restaurants conceived by internationally-acclaimed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The signature restaurant, Morimoto Asia, will feature Chef Morimoto’s world-renowned dishes integrating Western and traditional Asian ingredients.
Chef Morimoto says, “Oahu is a place where I have always had a great affinity for the island’s people and culture, and I consider it to be a home away from home.”
Momosan Waikiki will provide a more casual dining experience with yakitori, ramen, and sake, along with small plates for lunch and dinner and an outdoor beer garden.
The famous 280,000-gallon Oceanarium is still there and remains a unique dining feature only to be found at Alohilani Resort.
The pool deck is still under construction and will offer a shallow-water pool and club for kids, as well as a pool bar for adults that seamlessly transitions from day to night.
The rooms reflect a stylish design with natural materials used to employ a light and airy tone-on-tone palette, enhancing the beachside feel. The hotel has two room options – two queen beds or one king bed.
The most important part of a vacation is to recharge and get some rest, and Alohilani will assure this. Guests at the resort are sleeping in:
- Simmons Beautyrest, Felicity, Recharge Euro Top beds
- Bedding (sheets and pillow cases) with 250-thread-count
- Custom Decorative top sheets
- Pacific Coast Touch of Down, Natural Fill, 230 thread count pillows
- Dream Surrender, Down Alternative Fill, 233 thread count comforters
While the hotel caters to families, it also fulfills the demands of business travelers. A 12,000-square-foot ballroom and 8 meeting rooms make this independent hotel a welcomed alternative to the more uninformed facilities offered in chain hotels.
As most of the hotels in Hawaii do, Alohilani Resort tags on a mandatory resort “fee.” Add $30 per night, per room, which guests pay regardless of whether or not they use any of the amenities included in the fee:
eTN Publisher Juergen Steinmetz visited the hotel and said: “The $30 a day resort fee is already justified with the new Keurig Coffee machine in every room. The only item missing here is dark roast coffee and espresso.” Sales manager Alana Miranda promised to relate this suggestion.
Some hotels give Hula lessons, others try to sell you a towel with a mandatory fee, at the Alohilani Resort your mandatory daily $30.00 buys you:
- Wireless high-speed Internet access
- 2 welcome drinks (redeemable at O Bar)
- Eco-friendly water bottle, refillable at purified water stations throughout the hotel
- Keurig coffee makers in every room with unlimited Hawaiian Paradise coffee/tea
- Self-service 24-hour workspace: complimentary boarding pass printing and copying services
- Surfboard storage: self-serve locking surfboard racks with unlimited use during your stay
- Unlimited local and 60 minutes of long distance/international telephone calls
- Children 5 and under eat free at the breakfast buffet; children 6-10 are half price
- Daily local newspaper available at the Front Desk
The resort is proudly named in honor of Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Beloved by her people, she was a music composer, an author, and an ardent supporter of her culture. Her spirit is infused into the resort, which shares the same privileged location at her beachside home, Ke‘alohilani, meaning the royal brightness.
It’s a fresh perspective of resorts in Waikiki – Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach: coming October 1, 2017 – but open and in transition right now.
By the way the morning breakfast is out of the world!
