Wakea Waikiki Beach: Former Trump International Hotel Waikiki to Join Hilton’s LXR Collection

The Trump International Hotel Waikiki, once a prominent feature in Honolulu, is undergoing a major transformation as it departs from the Trump brand. This 462-room hotel, which opened in 2009 near the iconic Waikiki Beach, is set to be rebranded as the Wakea Waikiki Beach and will join Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts collection in February 2024, marking the brand’s debut in Hawaii.

This rebranding follows a mutual agreement between Trump Hotels and the property’s owner, Irongate, for a significant buyout of the hotel management and license agreements. The change comes amidst increasing legal challenges facing the Trump Organization, including a civil fraud lawsuit in New York against former President Donald Trump.

The Wakea Waikiki Beach is slated to undergo a comprehensive redesign beginning in early 2025. This renovation will encompass various areas of the hotel, including the lobbies, pool areas, spa, fitness center, and guest room corridors, along with enhancements to the property’s landscaping. The hotel’s dining options are also set for a makeover, with plans to reimagine the Wai’olu restaurant and In-Yo Café, as well as the introduction of a new ground-floor destination restaurant in collaboration with a yet-to-be-revealed chef and restaurateur.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, expressed pride in the property’s performance since its opening, noting its achievement of high Average Daily Rates (ADRs) in Waikiki. However, the rebranding marks a significant shift for the hotel, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the Trump Hotels franchise, which has seen a reduction in its portfolio in recent years, including the loss of properties in Panama City, Toronto, Vancouver, Manhattan, and Washington, D.C.

With the reflagging of the Waikiki hotel, Trump Hotels’ global presence will reduce from 14 properties in 2015 to just eight, signaling a notable change in the hospitality landscape. The Wakea Waikiki Beach’s transition to the LXR Hotels & Resorts collection is anticipated to offer guests a refreshed and unique luxury experience in one of Hawaii’s most sought-after destinations.