Hotel Review: Aston Waikiki Beach Tower

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower’s official address is Kalakaua Avenue, but the actual entrance is removed from the action of the busy thoroughfare. To access the hotel’s lobby, clients stroll beneath a peaceful, trellised walkway with flowering vines and elegant landscaping that calms the mind and body. And by the time they reach the front door, they feel like insiders. 

And that's precisely how Aston Waikiki Beach Tower wants its guests to feel. Since its 1984 opening, the 40-story accommodation has positioned itself as a luxury destination for discerning travelers. Following a multimillion-dollar upgrade completed in April 2018, the property is maintaining its competitive edge with revamped residences, expanded public spaces and new guest programs.

Just Like Home, Only Better
The 140-room tower injects the traditional model of a hotel-run accommodation with home-away-from-home amenities. Each two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite measures a whopping 1,072 square feet and comes with panoramic ocean and Waikiki views from the lanai. Units feature separate living and dining areas, a washer/dryer and a full kitchen with a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, blender, toaster, rice cooker and dishwasher.

Thanks to the renovation, each suite also boasts a spa-like master bathroom. The reimagined decor, including mango wood accents and artwork inspired by Hawaii’s surfing culture, reflects the surroundings.

While the accommodations are promoted as residences, clients receive all the perks of a hotel, including housekeeping and turndown service, complimentary Wi-Fi access, daily newspaper delivery and valet parking.

“We want our guests to not only feel comfortable, but to also feel at home,” said Pat Kozuma, general manager for Aston Waikiki Beach Tower. “We always lead with aloha, and we hope our guests enjoy staying with us as much as we enjoy having them.”

Makeover on Floor 4
Along with the in-room improvements, the property significantly renovated its fourth floor, which now serves as a hub of guest activity. An open-air recreation deck overlooks Waikiki Beach and has a pool, a jet spa, shaded cabanas, fire pits and barbecue grills. A fitness center features walls of windows facing the sea, and an adjacent studio is dedicated to yoga.

Clients who require early check-in or late checkout can take advantage of the new fourth-floor hospitality lounge, which offers a big-screen television, a Hawaii-themed library, bathrooms and showers. Floor 4 also provides a kiosk where clients can borrow movies and video games for in-room entertainment. Like a perfect host, the hotel invites guests to weekly activities such as hula classes, ukulele lessons and wine and cheese hours.

Families and multigenerational travelers comprise most of the tower’s clientele, according to Kozuma.

“Our services, such as babysitting referrals and kid-friendly amenities, pair nicely with our spacious suites,” Kozuma said. “We are centrally located to key points of interest, such as Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo and the stores on Kalakaua Avenue.” 

Better yet, the hotel sits directly across the street from Waikiki Beach.

Travel Advisor Benefits
Through a cash-back booking bonus program, travel advisors have a monetary incentive for booking qualifying stays at the tower. 

“This bonus is in addition to agents’ earned commission,” Kozuma said. “It is one more motivator for pushing the sale with their clients.” 

Agents who participate in the booking bonus program receive information and updates from Aqua-Aston Hospitality, helping them stay in the know, he adds.

Additionally, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower offers a travel advisor rate of 25 percent off the best available price. Agents can book the special rate online using the promo code TAFAM. 

“In addition, we encourage agents to familiarize themselves with the property on a site visit while they are on-island for business or leisure,” Kozuma said.

The Details
Aston Waikiki Beach Tower
www.aquaaston.com