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Samantha Davis-Friedman
Samantha Davis-FriedmanEditorial Associate

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How the Marriott Waikiki Collection Balances Safety and Aloha

Feb 06, 2021
waikikicollectionmoanasurfrider
Moana Surfrider, which turns 120 this March, has adapted to health and safety protocols.
Credit: 2021 Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa

Marriott’s Waikiki Collection consists of distinctive Honolulu hotels, including Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa; The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach; and Sheraton Waikiki. The collection offers travel advisors properties that fit most travel styles and budgets, but equally important, all have implemented extensive COVID-19 protocols to ensure clients are safe during their stay.

"Health and safety remain at the heart of our approach to hospitality,” said Tom Calame, area general manager and managing director, Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii, who oversees Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider. "Travelers who have chosen to fly here from the mainland have put in a lot of planning and have paid attention to all the new guidelines for travel. Once they’re here, we are able to offer them an experience that allows them to see the beauty of the islands, our resorts and the enthusiasm of our staff who have waited to welcome them back with aloha.”

The highest level of detail went into a thoughtfully executed plan that underscores our commitment to uncompromising cleanliness and the well-being of our guests.

During a recent trip to Honolulu, my sons and I expected to see precautions such as plexiglass dividers and social distancing markers — but while the Hawaiian vacation experience is certainly different than in the past, we were happy to discover that even with COVID-19 safety protocols, the feeling of aloha is as strong as ever.

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Waikiki’s two oldest hotels have weathered plenty of storms, and COVID-19 is no exception. However, both The Royal Hawaiian (celebrating its 94th birthday this month) and Moana Surfrider (celebrating its 120th birthday in March) have managed to implement updated health and safety protocols without losing any of their charm.

According to Lenn Yonemura, front office manager for The Royal Hawaiian, that accomplishment has not gone unnoticed by loyal guests who, he says, were excited to return to “The Pink Palace of the Pacific” as soon as it reopened on Dec. 1.

Similarly, guests at Moana Surfrider — aptly nicknamed “The First Lady of Waikiki” — were happy to be back in her iconic porch rocking chairs, even if they were spaced a safe six feet apart.

waikikicollectionritzcarltonresidences
The Ritz-Carlton Residences is one of the Waikiki Collection’s newest additions.
Credit: 2021 The Ritz-Carlton Residences

The collection’s newest properties — the recently renovated oceanfront Sheraton Waikiki and the elegant Ritz-Carlton Residences — offer the benefits of a centrally located city hotel with spectacular views of Waikiki. Arguably, the best spots to appreciate those views are from the Sheraton’s adults-only, infinity-edge pool and the Ritz-Carlton's two eighth-floor infinity pools — one adults-only and one family-friendly.

"We are excited to welcome our valued travel advisors and their clients to discover an elevated resort experience that has been designed with guidance from Marriott International‘s city, state and federal entities,” said Douglas Chang, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Residences. “The highest level of detail went into a thoughtfully executed plan that underscores our commitment to uncompromising cleanliness and the well-being of our guests; the one thing that hasn’t changed is the legendary service our brand is known for.”

During my stay, there was never any question that Waikiki Collection hotels are prioritizing guests’ health as much as their happiness.

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Marriott Waikiki Collection
www.marriott.com

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