The new year is a time for big goals and announcements, and hotel development is no exception. On the heels of the Atlantis announcement last month, a few more projects have been announced:
Hawaiʻi Island:
Meridian Pacific, Ltd, a privately held investment and development company, is launching a $113 million project. This project will bring two IHG-branded properties, Candlewood Suites and Holiday Inn Express, to Waikoloa Village on Hawaiʻi Island. These hotels aim to provide budget-friendly options in a luxury resort area.
It will be interesting to see what sort of ADRs these properties will command. Based on the 2024 island-wide hotel occupancy of 67% and $422 ADR, these could be among the priciest in their brand’s portfolios. This is part of a larger $700 million mixed-use development, with new shops, restaurants, and a Foodland supermarket.
Further south on the Big Island, the former Uncle Billy’s Hotel—once a beloved landmark but later overrun with homeless encampments—has been completely demolished and cleared. In its place, a 123-room Hampton Inn Kailua Bay Hotel will soon rise, reviving the site.
Oahu:
With nearly 3,000 rooms, you’d think Hilton Hawaiian Village had maxed out—but plans for a 36-story, 515-room tower are headed to the Honolulu City Council for review. The AMB Tower (Ala Moana Boulevard Tower) would replace the older buildings near Ala Moana Blvd and Ena Road. Yes, the ones with Goofy Café and the ABC store. If approved, construction could start in 2026 and wrap up by 2029.
Maui:
Hilton is also expanding, with two new hotels on the island, including a brand-new Hampton Inn & Suites Maui Kahului, located at the former Maui Palms site. The property is set to open in April 2024. Next door, Maui Seaside Hotel will upgrade into a Tapestry Collection by mid-2026.
What is a Tapestry Collection, you ask? It’s a “soft brand,” meaning it follows looser brand standards so each hotel can keep its unique character and local flair- no strict uniformity, but all the brand fees.😉 Rumor has it that another Waikiki hotel may rebrand as a Tapestry.
