Waikiki Beach’s Queen Kapiolani Hotel to Unveil $35 Million Renovation
“Following a $35 million renovation, the Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel relaunches this summer.
Located on Kapi‘olani Park, the Queen Kapi‘olani’s unique location—where Diamond Head meets Waikiki—speaks to all that Hawaii offers, situated steps from the surf breaks of Waikiki Beach and the bustling shopping and nightlife of Waikiki.
Built in the mid-1960s during Waikiki’s Golden Age as one of Honolulu’s grand full-service hotels, the Queen Kapi‘olani’s reimagining embraces its heritage with a retro-chic aesthetic while incorporating modern enhancements that meet the needs of today’s travelers. With 19 stories, the hotel offers 315 guest rooms, a large open-air lobby that fronts Kapi‘olani Park, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an 8,000-square-foot third-floor lanai (outdoor deck) and pool.
This unique space—endearingly referred to as the hotel’s outdoor living room—features a new restaurant, bar and lounge, and a pool. Perfect for sunbathing, taking in the sunset with a cocktail in hand, or snapping a family photo with Diamond Head as the backdrop, the third-floor lanai offers stunning panoramic views of the surf break at Waikiki Beach, the lush green lands of Kapi‘olani Park, and Diamond Head.
“We are thrilled to restore the Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel to its former glory, and to share this authentic Waikiki experience with new and returning visitors,” says Jeff Perkins, General Manager of the Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel. “Through our new rooms, renovated lobby and pool deck, and exceptional dining experiences, the Queen Kapi‘olani will reclaim its renowned place in the hearts of both locals and global travelers.”
The Queen Kapi‘olani’s rooms offer unparalleled views of Diamond Head as well as stunning ocean views. Transformed into comforting retreats, the refreshed guestrooms incorporate coastal color palettes, modern amenities, large new windows, and individual lanais. The furniture, hand-selected by renown local design firm Philpotts Interiors, also aligns with the hotel’s retro-chic vibe.
The unveiling also introduces a new culinary concept, DECK. The Queen Kapi‘olani partnered with Plan Do See to create the fun, yet relaxed restaurant, which serves cuisine inspired by local fresh catch and produce in a shareable style, as well as an array of craft cocktails.
The perfect destination for conferences, weddings, and groups of all types, the hotel offers The Le‘ahi Room, Le‘ahi Lanai, and Le‘ahi pre-function spaces, which together provide more than 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space capturing the same aloha sensibilities.
Designed as an extension of the surrounding upscale neighborhoods of Waikiki’s Gold Coast, Kaimuki and Kahala, the hotel’s open-air lobby provides a place for locals and guests to relax. The lobby also features several retail outlets including Knots Coffee Roasters, offering a fun fusion of coffee by day and wines and small-batch local beers by evening. Top quality surfboard storage for those seeking a convenient and safe place to keep their equipment before their next visit to the beach is also available.
Finally, in keeping with the Queen Kapi‘olani’s community-oriented legacy, popular local artists were commissioned to create exclusive pieces that accent the lobby and common areas.”
