Hilton’s Alii Tower shines anew

Completion of a $25.5 million refurbishment of the iconic Alii Tower, the most historic building still standing on Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort’s campus, has garnered higher volumes of repeat visitors for the property and will play a pivotal role in the hotel brand’s continued upgrade of its overall product.

The tower opened as the Ocean Tower under Henry J. Kaiser in 1957 but was renamed the Alii Tower some 30 years later. The property, which has hosted celebrities ranging from Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and President Barack Obama, has been made new following seven months of renovations designed to showcase the islands’ royal history.

"The Alii Tower has been treasured and beloved by guests for decades," said Jerry Gibson, area vice president of Hilton Hawaii. "It was critical that we maintained its tradition of grandeur but at the same time create a vibrant, modern look. Our designers did a remarkable job of accomplishing both. Since the renovations, we’ve seen more repeat reservations than in any of the years that we’ve been here."

Royal colors of purple and blue and rich wood tones were used liberally throughout the contemporary redesign, which included new finishes and furnishings and new bathrooms for all 323 rooms and the reconfiguration of eight junior suites and four two-bay suites. All guest room corridors also were redone, as were the lobby and reception desk. A guest library and lounge with multiple seating areas, Wi-Fi access and computer terminals also were added.

Ann Matsunami, partner at Pacific Asia Design Group, created the architectural design as well as the interior design for the suites, while Jonathan Staub of Philpotts and Associates handled the rest of the project’s interior design. The project created approximately 150 jobs while it was in full swing, including work for local Hawaiian artist Kahi Ching and his wife, Diana, who were commissioned by Philpotts to create a mirrored etching in the Alii Tower’s new library.

"It blends contemporary imagery of the ocean, the land and trees," Ching said. "It was an honor for us to be part of this project, which incorporates true maoli vision."

Precious Hawaiian artifacts, including wooden bowls, woven hats and carved gourds, are displayed throughout the Alii Tower’s lounge. Other artists created natural-form chandeliers and a mosaic behind the front desk that follows a Hawaiian kapa pattern.

The final phase of the project, which will include upgrades to the tower’s second-floor Ocean View Terrace, is scheduled for completion in May. This phase of the project is particularly important to the tower, which is often described as a "hotel within a hotel" because it boasts its own reception desk and concierge and offers guests the exclusive use of a second-deck pool, whirlpool spa, bar, fitness room and terrace.

While the Alii Tower is a significant project for Hilton, it comprises only a portion of the $174 million in major projects that the chain has embarked on since 2008. The Alii Tower renovations come on the heels of refurbishment of Tropics Bar, the Rainbow Tower and the Coral Ballroom.

Additional renovations to the Tapa Tower’s retail corridor also are ongoing at Hilton Hawaiian Village with another $500 million in reinvestment, including a new time-share tower and refurbishment of the Rainbow Tower mural; luau garden upgrades; renovations to the Diamond Head, Kalia and Tapa towers, the front desk and front drive; and the adult pool, expected to be completed by 2017.

"We feel that we perpetuate the destination every time that we help to redo it," Gibson said. "It creates guest satisfaction and helps improve our brand and our product to the world."

The renovations make Hawaii more appealing to current and repeat travelers and to visitors from emerging markets like China, Korea and Taiwan, who are used to newer hotel products, he said.

"In order for us to compete, we need to be just as good and just as new," he said.