Premier beach resort brand Outrigger Hospitality Group is known for its local culture and world-class hospitality in destinations across Hawai‘i, Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The brand’s hotels and resorts blend seamlessly with each unique locale offering a distinctive sense of place and incorporating the culture of the destination into the fabric of its hospitality delivery.
With that strategy, the global brand invested $35M to modernize one of its Waikīkī hotels with contemporary Hawaiian-inspired design, influenced by Hawai‘i’s bespoke culture and tropical environment. The investment and re-branding of Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger included all-new guest rooms, a coastal-inspired lobby, expanded pool deck, new meeting venues, top-technology for guests and enhanced dining opportunities.
The key to creating Hawai‘i’s first craft hotel in Hawai‘i was working with a network of local artisans, now collectively called the Beachcomber Originals, who embody the energy of modern Waikīkī and quite literally created the sights, sounds and tastes of this modern Waikīkī project. They include:
- Zak Noyle - a world renowned extreme-surf photographer whose iconic underwater images fill the walls of every guest room and escalator experience.
- Ha‘a Keaulana - a surfer, print artist and creator whose staycation style is a feature on the brand’s Beachcomber video.
- Vincent Lim - a popular scenic and adventure photographer whose iconic aerial Waikīkī photography can be found in every guest room and Waikiki Beachcomber advertising.
- Emma Wo - a business owner, content creator and former Miss Hawai‘i USA, whose played a key role in the style and aesthetic of Waikiki Beachcomber advertising.
- Garrett Marrero - who brings cheers and beers to Waikiki Beachcomber as the founder and CEO of the hotel’s anchor restaurant, Maui Brewing Co.
- Makana - an internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer, composer and activist, who created a custom soundtrack for Waikiki Beachcomber. His fresh beats can be heard throughout the hotel’s public areas.
- Matt Bauer - a photographer, creative director, surfer and entrepreneur who co-founded the creative agency ROSEWOOD and who plays an integral role in executing the #WaikikiVibes vision through his artistic lens, including a unique surfboard art exhibition series in the hotel lobby.
- Jonathan Rotmensch - the owner of Hawai‘i’s most Instagrammed coffee shop, Hawaiian Aroma Caffé – located in the hotel lobby, whose lively cafe offers a sophisticated balance of European flair and a commitment to exceptional customer service.
- Erin Ibarra - Hawai‘i’s “chalkboard queen,” a muralist and self-taught artist who is the creator of “Elevation,” the hand-drawn, oversized Floors of Flora murals at each elevator bank at the Waikiki Beachcomber.
- Abigail Romanchak - a celebrated printmaker who aims to empower and assert a Hawaiian sense of identity and culture through her work. Her prints add texture and grace to each guest room at Waikiki Beachcomber.
- Margo Ray - a globally-featured print, collage and installation artist whose colorful work is featured alongside an entire interior wall at the hotel’s Maui Brewing Co.
- Marques Hanalei Marzan - an expert fiber artist and advocate for indigenous arts and cultural practitioners whose intricate fiber (rope) art is found prominently hanging inside Maui Brewing Co.
- Sasha - the Japanese Aloha Street Magazine Cover Girl and founder of Sasha Support Hawai‘i, which launched during the COVID pandemic to help promote small businesses in the islands.
Craft food and drink play a huge role in the guest experience. The property’s marquee craft restaurant is Maui Brewing Co. What began as a simple idea of bringing authentic craft beer to the islands resulted in Hawai‘i’s largest indoor bar in Waikīkī. Maui Brewing Co. serves lunch and dinner with live music and happy-hour specials daily, the restaurant offers artisanal, natural island-inspired eats, locally crafted beers and seltzers. The restaurant is a true scratch kitchen, using fresh, local ingredients and infusing the craft beer in unique ways, like the Bikini Blonde in the pizza crust.
Hand-crafted dining continues at Hawaiian Aroma Caffe – specializing in accommodating the refined palates of coffee lovers from around the world, it offers custom Kona coffee brewed Italian-style, granitas, panini, pastries, acai bowls and other delectable drinks and desserts. Entertaining the palate as well as the crowd, the hotspot also features live music.
Guests can also purchase locally made food, drink, gift items and exclusive #WaikikiVibes artwork from Beachcomber Market, offering an enhanced level of convenience and authentic take-homes.
Unique on-property programming also sets this property apart from others. For example, the TOMA (Terrace of Modern Art) event series, a rotating surf-art series featuring celebrated artists who draw their inspiration from the beach. Sunrise yoga is offered, so early birds can get their “om” on in the morning and “Dive-in” movies when the sun sets at the rooftop pool overlooking Waikīkī.
Being connected to the destination is being connected to the culture of Hawai‘i. Guests can book a stay and get every third night free with a unique voluntourism opportunity to give back to the ‘aina (land) in the Malama Hawaii Experience, an immersive 2-hour eco-adventure at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve on the island’s windward side. Participating guests get their hands dirty plus take home a meaningful adventure to remember forever.
The Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger’s original aesthetic, unique collaboration and inspired programming combine for a curated #WaikikiVibe from arrival to turndown at Hawai‘i’s first-and-only craft hotel.