Hotel Online  Special Report

advertisements

,

 The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Completes $15 million Renovation of  530 rooms

.

HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII - January 20, 2004 - The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, fronting a prized stretch of Waikiki beach, has reached a significant milestone in its $18 million renovation by completing the last remaining 105 guest rooms and its expansive lobby.

Now, the hotel's entire 530-room inventory has been renovated with a contemporary design decor of tropical elegance. Nearly $15 million was spent on room renovations, which included all 500 guestrooms, 30 oceanfront suites and all public corridors throughout the 15-floor beachfront hotel.

In addition to the work done in the guestrooms, the hotel's upper lobby also received a $3 million facelift. The 18,000 square foot lobby now features an expansive exhibit showcase for museum-quality artifacts to complement the existing Herb Kane wall mural, Polynesian voyaging chart and century-old Kaukahi koa canoe that already serve as focal points in the lobby. 

New levels of service are being introduced with the unveiling of the renovations. Arriving guests are now treated to Waikiki's only sit-down check-in, a relaxing change for travel-weary guests. Beginning in March, a full-time Aloha Ambassador will roam the lobby to offer assistance and answer questions. All rooms now include two phone lines.

The renovations, which began in September 2002, included replacing carpeting, wall coverings, fabrics, and furnishings with rich dark wood, natural textures and deep tropical colors and patterns throughout the property. Nostalgic Hawaiian images, tropical-themed custom artwork and historical photos of Waikiki are used throughout the hotel to recapture the heritage of the land where this property is located.

Fifteen special oceanfront rooms were specially outfitted with oversized "oceanview" bathtubs located just off the bedroom. Dark tropical wood furnishings are accented with shutters and woven insets. The dark hardwoods, blended with rich green taro-leaf patterns, reflect the colors of nearby Manoa Valley, the water source that irrigated Waikiki's former taro fields.  To this day, the Apuakehau Stream runs under the hotel into the waters of Waikiki.

The third phase of the renovation is expected to be completed by April 2004, with the refurbishment of the hotel's three existing meeting rooms as well as the addition of a new 800-square-foot meeting room and a new 700-square-foot business center fully equipped with computers, printers and copy machines. A new oceanview restaurant, expected to open by July 1, will cap the Outrigger Waikiki's multi-million dollar renovation.

"If you like the rooms, you're going to love the lobby," said Dave Lee, vice president, Outrigger property services. "A lot of thought was put in to bringing the room theme into the lobby, especially the taro-leaf patterns and custom-designed carpet. Particular attention was also paid to the lighting to ensure it highlights existing artwork."

"The details of the renovation project have been absolutely impeccable," said Kimberly Agas, general manager, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. "The guest rooms glow with genuine island warmth, while the lobby and meeting rooms recall a true sense of Hawaii's heritage with carefully appointed artwork and design detail."

The 530-room Outrigger Waikiki is one of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts' flagship beachfront hotels. The property features Waikiki's finest oceanview accommodations, personal services, cultural programming, dining and shopping. Located on the same beach where Hawaiian royalty once surfed in the shadow of Diamond Head Crater, the hotel retains the rich tradition of Hawaii with activities that range from surf lessons, sailing and the ancient sport of outrigger canoe surfing. The hotel is home to award-winning Hawaiian cultural healing workshops and the landmark restaurant, Duke's Canoe Club, and the renowned cabaret performers, the Society of Seven.

About Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is a division of Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., the largest locally owned lodging company in Hawaii and one of the fastest growing lodging companies in the Pacific. Under various management contracts and its two hotel brands - Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts - the company currently operates or has under development 50 hotels and resorts throughout the Pacific region, representing more than 12,000 hotel rooms and condominium units in Hawaii, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji and New Zealand. Through a franchise agreement with Marriott International, Outrigger Enterprises owns and operates the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and the Wailea Marriott Resort under the Marriott brand. Through a strategic alliance with Fairfield Resorts, the world's largest time-share company, Outrigger Enterprises manages three vacation ownership properties on Hawaii's Big Island. Outrigger's affiliate, Outrigger Lodging Services, operates nearly two-dozen hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. Mainland under a variety of brands.


 
Contact:
Marisa Parker 
Public Relations
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Phone: 808-921-9711
[email protected]

Jim Austin, Director of PR
Nancy Daniels, APR, PR Manager
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Phone: 808-921-6941
[email protected]
www.outrigger.com

Also See: Roy Cordeiro and Peter Thoene Appointed Directors of Sales & Marketing for Outrigger's Marriott and Waikiki Beachfront Properties / January 2004


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search

Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.