Luxury Waikīkī hotel unveils $82M renovation

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach just wrapped an $82 million renovation.

According to an announcement Monday, the 552-room luxury hotel, which opened in 2016, has refreshed the guest rooms in its ‘Ewa Tower, front desk and both infinity pools; unveiled a new collection of suites and has introduced a new dining concept.

It's all part of a multi-phase, multi-year renovation.

Huy Vo, director of marketing communications told Aloha State Daily in an email that the adult pool renovation began in August 2023 and was completed in December of that year. Work on the resort pool began in January 2024 and was finished in April 2024, while work on the rooms in the ‘Ewa Tower began last July and was completed last month.

"Being only in our ninth year of operation, this renovation underscores our commitment to maintaining an exceptional product for both our guests and owners to enjoy," Vo said. "The renovation started with our ‘Ewa Tower rooms because that opened first in 2016. There is a planned renovation in the future for our Diamond Head Tower, which opened in 2018, but a date hasn't been set yet."

Designs in the newly refreshed ‘Ewa Tower aim to take guests from the sky to sea — figuratively, at least.

The hotel notes that the Deluxe Level, which spans floors 9 to 22, features a color palette of blue and natural tones are meant to recall the wind and shores of Waikīkī; the Grand Level, spanning floors 23 to 32, features wood accents and forest green, meant to "evoke the bamboo and lush foliage of Mānoa Valley"; and the blue, white and grays on the Premier Level, floors 33 to 36, "celebrate the vivid sky, clouds and rainbows" perched atop the Ko‘olau Mountains.

"Curated artwork in all three floor categories by a selection of O‘ahu artists, amplify the island's story in all rooms and suites," the announcement said.

The hotel also recently debuted The Ritz-Carlton Suite Collection — a penthouse, three-bedroom suite and four-bedroom suite found on its highest floors.

In these suites, guests will also find multiple floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, fully equipped chef’s kitchens, a pre-stocked refrigerator with complimentary local beverages and refreshments, the announcement noted. You'll also have access to exclusive amenities that include roundtrip luxury airport transfer; private arrival and private check-in experiences; premium turndown service and a dedicated VIP concierge.

You'll also find a new dining concept, Solera, which offers "Hawai‘i regional cuisine reimagined with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a modern touch," the announcement noted.

“As we approach our 10th anniversary milestone next year, we are proud to welcome our guests to experience the next chapter in our hotel’s evolution, complemented by the exceptional service we are known for,” General Manager Mike Kass said in the announcement. “For nearly a decade, we have taken great pride in upholding the highest standards of excellence for our property, from the personalized service of our ladies and gentlemen to the continual refinement of our hotel offerings. These new enhancements reflect our unwavering commitment to providing an unrivaled luxury experience and a profound sense of place in Waikīkī.”

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., LLC is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and is part of Marriott International, Inc. It currently operates more than 100 hotels worldwide and has has two other hotels in the Islands: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay.

Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.