Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Undergoes $55.4 Million Redevelopment And Repositioning

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Sep 15, 2016, 02:00 ET

– New lobby, rooms and dining venues debut early December 2016–

HONOLULU, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oahu's beloved Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club, a favorite retreat for global travelers and Hawaii residents for more than 25 years, has embarked on an extensive $55.4 million redevelopment and repositioning aimed at attracting the next generation of travelers heading to the Aloha State for leisure and business.

The redesigned lobby, including a hand-crafted ceiling installation by local artist Kaili Chun, will offer areas to socialize, rest, shop and dine.

A modern interior design, thoughtfully incorporating the hotel's sense of place, will complement the panoramic oceanviews available from every guest room.

Once completed in spring 2017, the property will emerge as a brand new hotel with a brand new name: Prince Waikiki. All of its thoughtful design and rebranding elements will share the story of its Waikiki location's intriguing history and heritage as a prominent gathering place, in ancient times rich with a variety of limu (seaweed). The eight-month refurbishment marks the hotel's first major remodel since its grand opening on April 20, 1990.

Ideally situated at the gateway to Waikiki overlooking the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, Prince Waikiki is a choice location at the epicenter of Oahu's four most exciting neighborhoods – downtown/Chinatown Honolulu, Kakaako, Ala Moana and world-famous Waikiki. Such a superb central location allows guests to truly explore everything modern Honolulu offers, from the world-class beaches and shopping of Waikiki and Ala Moana, to all of the multicultural and multifaceted food and restaurant neighborhoods residents love, to rainforest and waterfall hiking trail escapes bordering the city.

The property will heighten its guest experience with 563 transformed oceanfront guest rooms and suites, all-new dining options, a modernized lobby with elevated personalized services, a new infinity pool, and enhanced meeting space. Hawaii-based G70 (formerly Group 70 International) is the project's lead architect. Los Angeles-based Creative Resource Associates (CRA) Design will focus on interior design.

"We're innovating the overall resort experience to meet the needs and expectations of today's traveler by creating a sanctuary within Waikiki that focuses on setting a higher standard for guest services with an eye on quality," said Hotel General Manager Chuck Abbott. "Our remodeled guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean will emphasize relaxation with their natural color scheme, décor, furniture and appointments."

With a focus on upgrading its services, Prince Waikiki will offer an all-new experience with thoughtful design touches and new amenities. Guests will immediately feel a Hawaii sense of place at the hotel and discover the rich history of its location.

"In working with our design team and identifying our Hawaiian heritage, we decided to focus on key elements that would really elevate our sense of place and bring our story to life throughout the resort," said Donn Takahashi, president of Prince Resorts Hawaii. "They are the muliwai, or abundant, thriving estuary; the Piinaio, a convergence of three fresh water streams from the mountains; the naio flower, which is an indigenous restorative plant; the hinana, which is a nourishing juvenile fish; and limu eleele which is a rejuvenating seaweed."

Takahashi added, "History tells us that each of these natural elements flourished in the abundance of the meeting of the waters at this site in ancient times. Honoring our guiding value of lokomaikai (good will) in this process, it is our responsibility to share this story with our guests as stewards of this precious site."

As the hotel repositions itself as a sanctuary in Waikiki, becoming more intimate in scale and offering exceptional services, guests will also discover a connection to the area's fascinating history and find artful touches throughout the property. These include a newly commissioned art sculpture designed by acclaimed local artist Kaili Chun.

Coinciding with the renovation project, Prince Waikiki is excited to announce new partnerships with Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo, Watabe Wedding Corporation, and Honolulu Coffee, all highly respected companies.

With its first restaurant opening in Meguro, Japan, in April 2002, Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo is famous for offering fresh, high-quality sushi at affordable prices, and regularly attracting a queue of hungry patrons outside its Tokyo locations. The restaurant will open its first overseas location on the hotel's lobby level in December.

Established in 1953 and currently one of Hawaii's largest wedding specialists, Watabe Wedding Corporation has entered into an agreement to develop its first high-rise wedding chapel on the 33rd floor of Prince Waikiki with its panoramic vistas of Ala Wai Harbor, the Pacific Ocean and Oahu's south shore. The wedding chapel expects to host its first wedding parties in spring 2017.

Honolulu Coffee will offer a complete coffee experience in its café, located in the hotel's new lobby. Founded in 1992, the company's mission is to continue its standing as one of the leading specialty coffee companies, providing the ultimate Kona coffee experience for its customers in a setting that embraces Hawaii's aloha spirit.

For more information about the new Prince Waikiki, please visit www.hawaiiprincehotel.com/evolution.

About Prince Resorts Hawaii
Prince Resorts Hawaii Inc., is a subsidiary of Seibu Holdings Inc. It operates three luxury hotels and golf courses on two of the Hawaiian Islands: The Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club on the island of Oahu, and on the island of Hawaii, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Golf Course, and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Golf Course at the Mauna Kea Resort on the Kohala Coast. Prince Resorts Hawaii is unique in offering all-oceanfront locations along with championship golf courses, gracious island hospitality, and award-winning cuisine. For more information or reservations, call 1-866-PRINCE6 (866-774-6236), or visit PrinceResortsHawaii.com.

About Prince Hotels & Resorts
Prince Hotels & Resorts owns and operates 41 hotels, ryokan, ski and golf facilities, and aquariums across Japan, and seven other worldwide properties (in Hawaii, Taiwan and Malaysia). Prince Hotels & Resorts is committed to environmentally friendly operations. For more information, visit PrinceHotels.com.

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SOURCE Prince Resorts Hawaii