In Los Cabos you need two hands to count all the new luxury hotels that are opening up – Montage, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Nobu, and Four Seasons just to start. At Waikiki on Oahu, grand dames such as The Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian continue as mainstays, meaning that the opening of a second tower and the completion of The Ritz-Carlton Residences in America’s Paradise is big news. In its fact sheet, Ritz-Carlton says the residential resort’s 2016 opening was the first new luxury property in the area since 2009. However, if you are unsure what’s the difference between a residence and typical resorts from the group, we’ll use this event as a teachable moment.
First about the new Diamond Head tower due to open in mid-October. The building, also 38 floors, is separate from the existing Ewa Tower, although they share the same entrance and adds 245 residences to the existing 307. It also brings 6,000 square feet of meetings space for small meetings and more than 36,000 square feet of event space for parties up to 800, giving the hotel its first entry into the group market. With more than two acres of park, there are lots of opportunities for big or small functions, for executive retreats or friends and families gatherings. Consider a party with some of the island’s long list of in-demand food trucks, a favorite of Food Network star Guy Fieri and a frequent focus of his “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” program. A second and larger infinity pool, also on the 8th floor, also overlooking the Pacific Ocean, enables the resort to offer two different pool experiences – one for adult relaxation, the other more fun and family oriented. It also allows the hotel to use the original pool for private events without interrupting the guest experience, and the relatively small size of groups means that meeting goers won’t dominate, a pet peeve at some of Hawaii’s larger outer island properties.
In terms of choosing the right accommodations for your trip, there are Studios, akin in size to a typical standard Ritz-Carlton hotel room, ranging to residential suites from one to five bedrooms, many between 1,000 and 3,000 sq. ft. There are four categories based on floors, starting with Deluxe Level on lower floors in both towers, then Grand Level, Premier Level and Penthouse floors. All units have ocean views. The difference between the categories in some cases is size, but mostly finishes and appliances, which brings us to what’s the difference between a typical Ritz-Carlton resort you may have stayed in versus a hotel that is entirely residences?
The first difference is who owns the unit you will stay in. Most resorts are owned by a real estate investment company or wealthy individuals, then managed by companies like Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons who hire staff, train them and implement their brand standards. In this case, each of the units is owned by an individual who can then decide if they want to put it in the pool of hotel accommodations, and like any other Ritz-Carlton, everything is the same standards of service you would find at any other hotel in the group, such as twice daily maid service, bellman and valet service, 24-hour room service and a full spa. All units also have a kitchen with microwave, cook top and refrigerator, plus washer and dryer, great for families.
There is also on-site dining, including The Market (regional and seasonal casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner), Sushi Sho (make your reservations when you are booking your rooms. It’s dinner only and some fans actually time their stay to when they can get a table, says General Manager Doug Chang. Think months in advance) and a Dean & De Luca. Of course, if you are staying in Waikiki you probably want to sample its outstanding dining seen ranging from food trucks and hole in the wall type places to La Mer, the elegant French restaurant, a perennial favorite and only a short walk to the nearby Halekulani.
If you want high-end shopping, Luxury Row offers Tiffany & Co., Coach, Miu Miu, Chanel, Gucci, Moncler and Bottega Veneta is at the hotel’s doorstep. Chang says the hotel has worked with the various boutiques for curated guest experiences, including private shopping and trunk shows.
While reservations are not specific to a tower, Chang says his team does the best to accommodate preferences. If you stay in the existing Ewa Tower, you will be an elevator ride to the restaurants, fitness center, spa, yoga room, adults-only infinity pool and car park. Staying in the Diamond Head Tower means you will be convenient to the new private movie theatre, the meetings space and the family pool. Either way, don’t worry about orange couches or shag carpet. Every unit is finished to the same standards with the same furnishings so your experience will be based on Ritz-Carlton standards, not the tastes of various owners. Rates range from $630 to $8,000 per night.