Jan. 15 officially marked the end of five years and $187 million worth of renovation at the 1,636-room, 31-story Sheraton Waikiki.
The extensive overhaul included renovating all of the property's corridors, guestrooms and suites while refurbishing the hotel's arrivals area and front desk. Two pools were added along with a spa, restaurants and bars and an extensive update to the building's 45,000-square-foot banquets and meetings facilities.
"I think the focus on this hotel was really to provide Waikiki someplace that can really drive some excitement," said Kelly Sanders, general manager at the Sheraton Waikiki. "We were trying for something similar to the neighbor-island experience that you have with the great resort pools and spas, and that's something we really didn't have on Waikiki Beach."
Visiting families booked at the property will likely first notice the new Helumoa Playground, featuring two freshwater swimming pools, a pair of Jacuzzis, a 70-foot waterslide and the kid-friendly, interactive water fountain.
The hotel is now also home to the largest beachfront infinity pool in North America.
"With the new adult, infinity-edged pool, we really wanted to create some separation so that if you don't have kids and you want a place just to relax, or a serenity-type pool, we could create more of an adult atmosphere," Sanders added.
Instilling the property with a sense of place seems have been equally important. Some of the state's most revered contemporary Hawaiian artists were commissioned to create paintings for the property, and 21 local schoolchildren helped complete an extensive, brightly painted mural greeting guests on their way up to the hotel's ballroom.
Regional cuisine is another important component, and whenever possible, local produce and ingredients grown on Oahu farms are used in the property's restaurants and banquet menus. In fact, Sheraton officials recently played a large role in passing state legislation creating more than $140,000 worth of funding aimed at helping local farmers become officially food safety-certified.
"Guests come in now and the focus is very sophisticated, very contemporary Hawaiian and really offers something that's unique to Oahu," Sanders said.
Visit www.sheraton-waikiki.com.