| This story has been corrected. See below. |
Hokulani Waikiki, whose opening today completes the planned development in the Waikiki Beach Walk project, marks the transformation of a former Outrigger budget hotel into an upscale Hilton Grand Vacations time share.
The former OHANA Islander Waikiki, which Hilton bought from Outrigger Enterprises in 2011, is a 14-story, 143-unit resort. The project, which is Hilton’s seventh time share in Hawaii, is already 40 percent sold.
"It’s broken all of our expectations. Our sales are about a year ahead of our expectations," said Kim Kreiger, HGV’s senior vice president for clubs and resorts.
The 545- to 575-square-foot units feature slide-out shelving, Tassimo espresso makers in the kitchen, sleeper sofas, TV and gaming systems, and custom bathroom features like Japanese-style Washlets, soaking tubs with waterfall spigots, and televisions that disappear into the mirror when you turn them off. Some of the units have private balconies.
The entrance to the resort at 2181 Kalakaua Ave. has eternal flames. The property also features waterfall ponds, a bar-bistro in the lobby and a pool deck at the top of the building, which sports an open-air rooftop bar with private cabanas and a plunge pool.
"We wanted to give them a product that would be a game changer — something that would appeal to a more sophisticated clientele of younger professionals and not just families," said Beatrice Girelli, principal of Indidesign, which worked on the transforation with Architectural firm Group 70 International.
Time-share units will be available for hotel rentals until the last one is sold, Kreiger said.
"There’s nothing else quite like it in Waikiki today," said Barry Wallace, executive vice president of hospitality services for Outrigger Enterprises, which will manage the time share for Hilton. "It will bring a different kind of guest — a younger, more hip, international traveler — to Waikiki."
Wallace said the alliance is Outrigger’s second with Hilton. It previously franchised Hilton’s Embassy Suites brand for its Waikiki Beach Walk Project, which now has five hotels and multiple entertainment and shopping venues and is valued in excess of $1.7 billion.
"This is a great alliance of strengths," Wallace said. "They have the marketing muscle in Japan, and we’re great at hospitality."
| A previous version of this story reported that the project was 80 percent sold. |
