Hawaii hotels are like friends: It's great to hang around the old ones, but it’s equally rewarding to embrace the new. For clients looking for the latest in island accommodations, consider these five newsworthy Hawaii hotels, all of which have openings on the horizon.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Kauai
This north shore beauty debuted as a Sheraton in 1986, followed by a refurbishment and rebranding as a St. Regis in 2009. Now, the hotel is called Princeville Resort, but its current owner — Starwood Capital Group (SCG) — plans to turn it into the 1 Hotel brand’s flagship property. Renovations, which are estimated at $100 million, are slated to begin in 2020, with a completion date to be announced.
What won’t change is the hotel’s breathtaking clifftop location overlooking the ocean and stunning Napali Coast. SCG officials promise that 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay will provide clients with the perfect balance between an invigorating and relaxing stay.
www.princevilleresorthawaii.com
When Princeville Resort is rebranded as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, it will continue to boast breathtaking views of Kauai's Napali Coast.
Credit: 2019 Princeville ResortAC Hotel Wailea by Marriott, Maui
This all-new, 3-acre hotel is under construction in the southwest Maui resort community of Wailea. Targeting an opening in fall 2020, the 110-room property will offer studios and one-bedroom suites, a business center, a fitness area, an infinity-edge pool and a poolside tiki bar.
The four-story hotel is billed as a contemporary boutique accommodation with special appeal for young travelers, who are an underserved market for the destination. Active clients will like its address near Wailea’s beach, tennis club and Blue golf course, while browsers and buyers will enjoy its proximity to Shops at Wailea, a fashionable shopping, dining and entertainment hub.
www.achotels.marriott.com
AC Hotel Wailea by Marriott will make its southwest Maui debut in fall 2020.
Credit: 2019 AC HotelsKona Village, A Rosewood Resort, Hawaii Island
Moving toward a 2022 unveiling, the long-awaited reinvention of Kona Village — which has been closed since 2011 — will mix the best of the past and present. Throwbacks to the original hotel, which opened in 1965, will include thatched-roof, stand-alone guest hales (huts), the iconic Shipwreck Bar and a cultural center that pays tribute to the destination’s unique legends and lore.
At the same time, the 81-acre resort will tout modern-day luxuries, including dining that is at once upscale and casual; a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center; multiple swimming pools and tennis courts; and a variety of outdoor sports and activities.
www.rosewoodhotels.com
The renovated Kona Village will honor its namesake with thatched-roof structures and a dedication to the surrounding land and culture.
Credit: 2019 Kona Village, A Rosewood ResortMandarin Oriental Honolulu, Oahu
Mandarin Oriental is returning to Hawaii to operate 125 hotel rooms and more than 100 residential apartments in a new tower rising on the west edge of Waikiki, next to Ala Moana Center and the Hawaii Convention Center. The hotel portion is scheduled to open in 2021.
The 36-story building will boast a rooftop restaurant and bar with views of the beach, the city and Diamond Head from its terraces. Guests will have access to a lavish spa, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool. The property will also feature a lobby lounge, retail shops, all-day dining and event spaces.
www.mandarinoriental.com
Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu will feature a rooftop restaurant with spectacular views.
Credit: 2019 Mandarin OrientalMauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Hawaii Island
When the former Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows wraps up its $100 million transformation later this year, the 32-acre Auberge property will emerge with an extensive redesign. Many of its 333 guestrooms will feature ocean views. To address the growing trend in wellness travel, it will offer a fitness facility and spa specializing in Hawaiian healing traditions, and new swimming venues will include infinity-edge and family pools.
Mauna Lani will continue to honor the rich heritage of its surroundings. For instance, it will present adventures such as paddleboarding and outrigger canoeing, and it will maintain the ancient fishponds adjacent to the hotel.
www.maunalani.com
