by Will McGough
Last updated: 4:00 AM ET, Fri January 11, 2019
One of Waikiki's long-standing hotels will undergo a facelift this year and reopen with a fresh look and a fresh brand on Oahu.
The Waikiki Parc Hotel, which has stood amongst the Waikiki skyline for three decades, began its multi-million-dollar transformation in October and will emerge out the other side in the fall of 2019 as the Halepuna Waikiki.
The Halepuna, which translates to "house of welcoming waters," will be an upscale boutique hotel, modeled in part after its sister hotel next door, the luxury resort Halekulani. The decision to remodel comes, no doubt, in response to increased competition-the last half decade has seen an explosion of boutique properties in Waikiki, including the opening of the Laylow and the Surfjack.
The Halepuna will have 288 rooms and suites, a three-meal restaurant, an eighth-floor pool deck and bar, fitness center and hospitality lounge. As of now, there are no specifics as to what the revamped rooms will look like on the inside, but the hotel did recently announce a general concept for its common areas.
"The lobby will feature natural and refined elements inspired by Halekulani's subtle, light and airy interiors, with custom light fixtures, teak finishes, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and artwork in partnership with the Honolulu Museum of Art," the hotel announced.
The yet-to-be-named hotel restaurant will be adjacent to the lobby, with an open-air kitchen and outdoor terrace. Though we don't yet know what the restaurant will serve or how it will be decorated, we do know that there will be a separate "chocolate kitchen," where desserts and delicacies will be prepared. More details on the restaurant and its features should come this summer.
Upstairs, the guests-only, eighth-floor pool will be completely remodeled, with a raised wood pool deck, an infinity lap-style swimming pool, Jacuzzi, poolside bar, and luxury cabanas with ocean views. Beach access will be the same as it always was, less than five minutes walking, just across the street.
The news of the renovation will certainly be bittersweet for guests who have visited the Parc over the last few decades, but it sounds like there is a bright new beginning ahead for the hotel. The Halekulani is one of Waikiki's nicest hotels, and if the Halepuna is being built in its likeness, we can expect good things. We'll swing back around for a look inside once construction moves along over the summer and into next fall.
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