Oahu's Evolving Landscape: Choosing Your Next Hotel Stay | Prince Waikiki
LOUNGE / TRAVEL
March 19, 2018

Oahu's Evolving Landscape: Choosing Your Next Hotel Stay | Prince Waikiki


PRINCE WAIKIKI


From Relaxing Stays to Exploring the Latest Hotspots
Elegant and Functional: PRINCE WAIKIKI


If you love Hawaii, you've likely heard of "Kaka'ako" or "Ward Village." This area, once a warehouse district, has undergone significant redevelopment and is now a must-visit hotspot in Honolulu, buzzing with excitement.
However, during a stay of several nights, you'll also want to spend relaxing time at the hotel, and perhaps visit Ala Moana Shopping Center or the iconic Waikiki Beach. The PRINCE WAIKIKI, fully renovated and reopened in April 2017, makes these desires effortlessly achievable. Knowing about this hotel can significantly enhance your comfort and freedom during your time on Oahu.

Text by TOMIYAMA eizaburo




Location: The Western Edge of Waikiki, Central Honolulu

About a 30-minute drive from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (formerly Honolulu International Airport), you'll spot the twin towers of the hotel along Ala Moana Boulevard. Situated at the western edge of Waikiki and in the central coastal area of Honolulu, PRINCE WAIKIKI is a luxurious and popular hotel beloved by local celebrities. It has also held the number one spot in TripAdvisor's rankings for hotels in the Honolulu area for seven consecutive months.

Prince Waikiki



Lobby


This location was once the estuary where the Pi'inaio Stream met the sea. The copper plates adorning the lobby ceiling are inspired by the 'o'opu hue, a fish that returns to its spawning grounds here. The floor design also evokes the image of an estuary.


All Rooms Offer Ocean Views Overlooking the Yacht Harbor

The lobby, with its calming ambiance that still evokes a tropical feel, offers a sense of openness that washes away the fatigue of your flight. You'll immediately feel a sense of gentle welcome. The hospitable staff, fluent in Japanese, ensure a smooth check-in before you head to your room. The card-touch entry system makes accessing your room quick and easy.

So, what awaits in the guest room? Even with prior photos, uncertainties linger about this crucial first impression that sets the tone for your trip. With excitement, you open the door to find a modern, serene interior. "This is it!" you'll be convinced, as the balance of everything feels so comfortable. Open the large window, and the elegant, beautiful yacht harbor unfolds before you. The scenery, with its tranquil and unhurried pace compared to the beach, promises a truly relaxing stay. At PRINCE WAIKIKI, with its all-ocean-view rooms, everyone can savor this vista.

Oceanfront, 2 Queens


The walls feature delicate naio flowers, painted by Seattle-based artist Ricky Wolfe. The naio is a plant with purifying properties that once grew wild at the mouth of the Pi'inaio Stream.




View from the Room 1


From the guest rooms, you can see the yacht harbor of Ala Wai Harbor and the scenery of Ala Moana Beach.


Amenities That Bring Smiles to Women

First, head to the shower room to refresh after your flight. The amenities are from "Malie Organics," an organic spa brand born from the natural beauty of Kauai. This popular brand is increasingly available in Japan. As you inhale the scents of native Hawaiian plants, washing your body clean and soft, the jet lag will simply melt away.

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Settle into the comfortable sofa in your room, feeling the Hawaiian vibe, and ponder today's itinerary. The answer is simple: a meal. The hotel's "100 Sails Restaurant & Bar" is a casual, welcoming spot highly favored by locals. While a buffet is available, start with a local beer and order à la carte. The menu, featuring local ingredients, offers a wide variety from classic dishes to fusion creations, all delicious. Its convenience for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, or drinks at any time is also a major draw.
Additionally, the hotel houses "KATSUMIDORI SUSHI TOKYO," which was awarded first place in the sushi category of the "111-HAWAII AWARD," a program certified by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and is also loved by locals.

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Experience the Legendary Infinity Pool!

If you feel like taking it easy today, head to the much-talked-about pool. Located on the 5th floor, the outdoor pool features an infinity pool that seems to blend seamlessly with the horizon. In addition, you can spend a leisurely time in the spacious area, which also includes a main pool and a jacuzzi. With a bar also available, it's recommended to enjoy a book with a chilled glass of white wine.
Furthermore, guests staying on the club floors (31st-33rd floors) or those who have booked a special plan can enjoy the benefits of the club lounge located by the pool area. Here, you can enjoy complimentary light meals, soft drinks, as well as local beers and wines. With its excellent views, this is a special spot that's definitely worth utilizing.

Infinity Pool Sunset


You can enjoy the sunset not only from the pool but also from your room. Pool hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.




Club Lounge 2


An elegant club lounge where you can also enjoy breakfast.


Explore with Share Bikes for Easy Sightseeing

Once you've fully enjoyed PRINCE WAIKIKI, it's time to explore the city. Conveniently, the hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Ala Moana Shopping Center. You can enjoy shopping at a leisurely pace. Additionally, Ala Moana Beach is a popular surf spot, making it a great advantage to be able to walk there from the hotel with your surfboard.

For exploring Honolulu, the best recommendation is to make smart use of the share bikes, "biki," which were introduced in June 2017. Once you start cycling, you can reach the trendy Kaka'ako area in about 10 minutes, or the downtown and Chinatown areas in about 20 minutes. Even the heart of Waikiki Beach is only about 20 minutes away. Honolulu has many one-way streets and increasing traffic congestion, so using bikes offers a more comfortable and active way to get around than renting a car.

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You can use the share bikes immediately on-site with just a credit card. Choose between two plans: $3.50 for 30 minutes, or $20 for 300 minutes. The 300-minute plan is valid indefinitely, so even if you don't use it all, you can use the remaining time on your next trip to Hawaii. Stations are conveniently located throughout the city.


Kaka'ako and Downtown are Within Cycling Distance

Adjacent to Ala Moana Shopping Center, the Ward Village in Kaka'ako is seeing the continuous development of new commercial facilities and condominiums. South Shore Market, which has already opened, offers a selection of modern and stylish Hawaiian-made items, making it hard to resist opening your wallet.
In recent years, with rising rents in the Waikiki area, many young entrepreneurs are increasingly opening businesses in Downtown and Chinatown. As a result, stylish and chic shops, as well as innovative eateries, are now scattered throughout these areas.

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'SOUTH SHORE MARKET' offers a curated selection of stylish Hawaiian-made goods and apparel. Next door, you'll find off-price stores like 'TJ-Maxx' and 'NORDSTROM rack' where you can buy branded items.




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Kaka'ako is adorned with graffiti everywhere, and many tourists walk around seeking the perfect Instagram shot. It's now so renowned as an art spot that it's been featured in The New York Times. Furthermore, the annual art event "POW WOW" held every February attracts graffiti artists from around the world for workshops and live painting. You can also find works by the Japanese artist duo HITOTZUKI (KAMI and SASU).




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The "Hawaii Theatre," founded in 1922 and located in the heart of downtown, can also be visited while cycling.




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Chinatown is always a vibrant street in any country or city. With many markets selling meat, vegetables, and fish, you might forget you're in Hawaii.




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Spotted in downtown is the stylish select shop 'owens & co.' It offers a range of goods, apparel, accessories, and kids' items, primarily featuring Hawaiian-made products.


When you're tired from sightseeing in Honolulu, return to the hotel for relaxation. Amidst the exceptionally pleasant service from the staff, known as the "Prince Style," you can experience true luxury. Waikiki Beach has become a bustling metropolis. Instead, spending your time elegantly and actively in Oahu's new center is likely to become the trend.




Contact Information


PRINCE WAIKIKI


Tel. (808) 956-1111


http://jp.princewaikiki.com/