Waikiki will get what's being billed as its
first designer, boutique hotel with the December opening of the
Hotel Renew just off Waikiki Beach.
The 70-unit
property, on the premises of the former Ocean Tower Hotel on
Paoakalani Avenue, will be managed by Aqua Hotels & Resorts. It
will be the first hotel in the Aqua Elite collection. Aqua also
operates Aqua Lite (economy) and Aqua Boutique (midprice) hotels in
Honolulu.
Hotel Renew will
feature interiors by designer Jiun Ho; high-end, ecofriendly
furnishings and amenities; and modern in-room entertainment and
work spaces.
Travel Weekly was
given an exclusive preview of the property, renovated at a cost of
$3.5 million. General Manager Terry Dowsett said the property would
be unique to Waikiki, the closest comparison being the 50-room W
Honolulu Diamond Head.
"We're learning
from some of the higher-end boutique hotels," he said. "We looked
at the W as a starting point, and I think we came away with some
best practices."
Hotel Renew will be
the first in Hawaii to deploy InnNetwork technology, which
integrates Internet, PCs, printers, TVs and wireless keyboards and
headsets.
"The hotel doesn't
need a business center because every room is its own business
center," said Dowsett.
Rooms also have
wireless Internet connectivity, iPod docking stations and
customizable lighting by Lutron.
King rooms will be
outfitted with 32- or 42-inch, high-definition TVs, and doubles
will have projection-screen TVs.
Guest units,
including two deluxe suites, will have 500-thread-count sheets,
kimono bathrobes, luxury toiletries, minibars stocked to guests'
tastes and oversize beach and bath towels.
Hotel Renew will be
alone among Aqua's hotels in not offering AquaKit, one of the
brand's seven "pillar" guest services. Under AquaKit, guest rooms
are equipped with a microwave, refrigerator and
coffeemaker.
The hotel will,
however, offer Aqua's free continental breakfast in the lobby bar,
Lounge Renew, and coffeemakers can be requested.
Hotel Renew will
offer in-room spa treatments and room service. Guests will also
have access to spas at the Aqua Palms and the Aqua
Bamboo.
"The objective is
to be able to cater to all needs of our customers," said Dowsett.
"We can do that because we're smaller."
Hotel Renew is
designed to appeal to a younger traveler, he said, "although a
seasoned one who has been to Hawaii before" and works in the
fashion, film or entertainment fields.
Rates will start at
about $300 per night.
Contact Hotel Renew
at (808) 687-7715 or visit www.hotelrenew.com. Call Aqua Hotels &
Resorts at (866) 406-2782 or visit www.aquaresorts.com.
To
contact Destinations editor Kenneth Kiesnoski, send e-mail to [email protected].