Oahu’s own glitterati alongside haute celebs, rock star mixologists, hoteliers and design influencers were in full-effect during last weekend’s opening series of events for the highly anticipated premiere of the Waikiki Edition Hotel. This much a buzzed about brand’s launch didn’t disappoint proving the interesting partnership between boutique hotel innovator Ian Schrager and corporate giant Marriott offers something uniquely special; it’s a winning formula for sure.
The creative collaboration formed a little over three years ago after Marriott management approached Schrager about teaming up to tackle the boutique hotel market. After establishing the boutique market was a big enough space yet a small enough niche to tap into, their partnership was solidified. Shrager would bring his innovative design concepts and cutting-edge approach to Marriott’s stellar service reputation to cultivate the ultimate boutique hotel experience.
After breaking Hawaii ground for the first Edition of soon to be many more (Istanbul’s next), the dynamic duo brought in acclaimed architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg to execute their vision, a highly stylized hotel with a “home away from home” Hawaiiana plantation feel. The check-in desk even features a wall-to-wall surfboard installation by artist and former professional surfer Herbie Fletcher made from more than 100 collected, broken surfboards from the world’s best surfers: Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson and many more. In addition to at home comforts, the Edition also offers functional, technologically sound working environments including a high-tech information board complete with Map Quest- and City Search- like features that point out the best restaurants and shopping nearby with detailed directions to boot.
The Sunrise Pool is an expanded lanai with lush landscaped gardens by Deborah Nevins. The exclusive, private Sunset Beach has its own lagoon and imported sand from neighboring Hawaiian Islands that provides a similar experience to lying on a real secluded beach somewhere. Bars with specialized programs headed by master mixologists can be found at both pools along with the intimate Lobby Bar hidden behind a “secret passage way.” The hotel also houses iron-chef Masaharu Morimoto’s restaurant and the CrazyBox nightclub nestled above the Lobby Bar for the late-night or after dinner crowds.
For wellness and health-conscious visitors, the hotel offers beach side yoga, stand-up paddle boarding and custom and individually designed surf and bikini boot camps. These activities, combined with vegetarian and organic spa menus, will give guests a prime opportunity to go home feeling great and lighter than when they arrived. The Spa at Waikiki also offers a full range of luxurious spa treatments using exclusive products specially selected by the Edition Hotel.
Along with local VIPs, celeb guests including songstress Christina Aguliera, Whitney Port from MTV’s The City, actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips and Entourage star Kevin Dillon all indulged in the Edition’s haute official grand opening weekend “happs.” There’s no doubt, expectations were exceeded as the menagerie partied into the wee-hours of the night at CrazyBox still saving up enough stamina to get their Edition fill on for remaining fetes to come as well as pool, beach and spa laden days. The Waikiki Edition sets an incredible tone for the future of the brand not to mention the haute pulse it’s undoubtedly brought to bustling Waikiki.
For more pics of the Waikiki Edition & it’s weekend bourgeoisie, check out the gallery below.
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