Hilton plans to convert a Hawaiian Trump hotel into its growing LXR luxury brand

The former Trump International Hotel, Waikiki, in Hawaii will reincarnate next year as the Wākea Waikiki Beach, part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton's luxury soft brand.

The 38-story hotel features 462 guest rooms and suites and is slated to open under the new brand in February 2024. The Wākea Waikiki Beach property overlooks both the Pacific Ocean and the Diamond Head volcano. It also becomes the second Trump Hotels-affiliated property to enter Hilton's high end ecosystem after the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., became a Waldorf Astoria last year.

"Hawaii has played an important role in Hilton's history and growth strategy across the Pacific," Greg Hartmann, Hilton's senior vice president of luxury and mixed-use development, said in a statement while noting the company has more than 20 hotels and resorts across the state. "The signing of Wākea Waikiki Beach complements our Hawaiian luxury portfolio and ensures we continue to meet the needs of our ever-evolving guests in destinations where they choose to be. We are excited about this new era for the resort and look forward to building upon its award-winning reputation."

A planned renovation is expected to begin in early 2025 and take several months to complete. Bryan O'Sullivan (BOS) Studio is behind the renovation and is the same team that worked on renovations at hotels like Claridge's and the Connaught in London and design work on the Maybourne Riviera in Monaco.

The Wākea Waikiki Beach renovation is expected to entail upgrades to lobbies, the pool area, the spa, the fitness center, residential interiors and restaurants. The resort's Wai`olu restaurant and In-Yō Café will undergo a conceptual shift while a restaurant by an "internationally acclaimed restaurateur and chef" is expected to open on the hotel's ground level.

"We are thrilled to spearhead the revival of what I have always felt to be the 'grand dame' of Waikiki with its timeless architecture and unobstructed views," Jason Grosfeld, the chairman and CEO of Irongate — the real estate firm that owns the hotel — said in a prepared statement. "Through our collaborative efforts with BOS Studio on design and with Hilton's LXR Hotels & Resorts as the operator, this iconic edifice embarks on an exciting new chapter."

What is LXR Hotels & Resorts

Hilton launched LXR in 2018 as a collection of independent hotels that link into the company's loyalty and booking network. Think of it as Hilton's version of Marriott's The Luxury Collection. LXR is meant to connect "legendary properties into an exclusive network of hotels that are set apart by an unrivaled commitment to personalized service and elegant, yet locally immersive experiences for their guests," according to Hilton's most recent annual report.

"Each hotel in the collection features its own pedigree, story and character that is steeped in the originality of its locale and provides a luxurious base of exploration for the intrigued, yet discerning, adventurer," the report states.

Hilton had 11 hotels under the LXR portfolio at the end of last year — making it the smallest of Hilton's luxury trinity which also includes Waldorf Astoria and Conrad. Some LXR properties include Zemi Beach House in Anguilla and Crockfords Las Vegas.

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"LXR Hotels & Resorts provides guests access to the most alluring destinations globally and Wākea Waikiki Beach's oceanfront location in Oahu is no exception. The resort offers an exceptional locale for travelers looking to create their own intriguing adventure," said Feisal Jaffer, global head of LXR Hotels & Resorts, in a prepared statement. "Illustrating LXR's unique approach to hospitality, Wākea Waikiki Beach is the perfect addition to the brand's growing portfolio and we look forward to welcoming distinguished travelers from around the world to this unrivaled destination."

What this means for Trump Hotels

The brand switch to Hilton is the latest in a contraction of the Trump Hotels portfolio.

The company's city center hotel portfolio is now limited to just two locations — New York City and Chicago — following the Washington, D.C., conversion to a Waldorf. Prior to that, there had been Trump-affiliated hotels in cities like Panama City, Panama, as well as Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto.

The company's golf and resort portfolio will be down to six properties following the Waikiki conversion to LXR in February.

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