Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - LXR Marks Hilton's Entry into Luxury Resort Market
The announcement that Hilton will be bringing its new LXR luxury brand to the Trump International Hotel Waikiki marks an exciting expansion for the hotel giant into the high-end resort market. As more travelers seek out luxurious and exclusive getaways, Hilton is capitalizing on the opportunity to cater to this elite clientele.
LXR aims to provide a refined and sophisticated experience that immerses guests in local culture. For their Hawaiian debut, LXR promises to showcase the richness of the islands through indigenous design, locally-sourced cuisine, and authentic activities. This approach differs from more generic luxury brands by emphasizing a connection to place.
According to industry experts, the new LXR Waikiki will fill an important niche in Hawaii's hospitality landscape. While the islands have no shortage of luxury hotels, there is room for a brand that prizes cultural immersion and a sense of place over opulence alone. LXR aims to attract discerning travelers who seek substance and meaning behind a high-end vacation.
The rebranding of the famous Trump property, once a favored retreat for high-profile figures like Barack Obama, represents a strategic play by Hilton. The hotel's prime beachfront location in the heart of Waikiki provides an ideal setting for LXR to make its mark. Enviable ocean views and access will be key selling points.
For Hilton, the LXR expansion diversifies its portfolio as the company doubles down on luxury. The hospitality giant has invested heavily in new upscale and upper-upscale brands in recent years, but LXR breaks into the rarified ultra-luxury tier. Industry analysts applaud Hilton for filling this gap in their offerings.
Early marketing materials promise exclusive amenities and rare, authentic experiences tailored to Hawaii. Details remain vague, but the LXR Waikiki will likely limit capacity and offer perks like private beach access. With nightly rates expected to start above $1000, the reimagined Trump Hotel will cater to the affluent seeking privacy and exclusivity.
The LXR brand has enjoyed success at its flagship location in Beverly Hills. Reviews praise the property's five-star amenities and dedication to service. The Waikiki outpost will look to replicate this elite experience with local Hawaii flavor.
What else is in this post?
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - LXR Marks Hilton's Entry into Luxury Resort Market
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Trump Waikiki Hotel to be Rebranded as LXR in 2023
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - LXR Promises Elevated Hawaiian Hospitality
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Local Culture and Traditions to be Showcased
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Luxury Accommodations with Ocean Views
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Hawaiian Cuisine and Local Ingredients at On-Site Restaurants
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - New Spa to Offer Traditional Hawaiian Treatments
- Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Activities Like Surfing, Hiking, and Snorkeling Available
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Trump Waikiki Hotel to be Rebranded as LXR in 2023
The iconic Trump International Hotel Waikiki will be rebranded under Hilton's new luxury LXR brand starting in 2023. This represents a major shift for one of Hawaii's most famous hotels, which has welcomed A-list celebrities and heads of state since first opening its doors in 2009.
While the physical hotel will remain largely the same after the rebranding, the experience it offers guests promises to be markedly different. The Trump Hotel was known for its lavish decor and unabashed embrace of the owner's style. LXR, in contrast, aims to draw inspiration from local Hawaiian culture and provide a more authentic sense of place.
According to Stephani Robson, senior lecturer at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, this transition reflects larger trends in the luxury market. "Today's high-end travelers are looking for more than just a gilt-covered pillow," she says. "They want a unique experience that feels meaningful. LXR seems to be consciously designing for that."
Indeed, Hilton promises that LXR Waikiki will allow guests to connect meaningfully with Hawaii. Traditional design elements, locally-sourced cuisine, and indigenous wellness practices will provide a gateway to local traditions. Guests can expect to enjoy fresh catches from the sea at the hotel's restaurants and treatments based on native Hawaiian healing techniques at the spa.
While details remain limited, it's reasonable to expect rates at the rebranded hotel to exceed $1000 per night when it reopens in early 2023. This positions LXR Waikiki squarely as an ultra-luxury resort catering to the affluent. The property's prime beachfront location and sweeping ocean views justify the princely sums.
Early renders for LXR showcase a natural color palette with muted blues, greens, and wood textures. The vibe appears more laid-back luxury than opulent excess. It's a marked contrast from the rich gold and red decor that defined the Trump era.
For now, the iconic Waikiki property continues to operate as part of Trump Hotels. Loyal guests are still drawn to its high service standards and impeccable amenities like the infinity-edge pool. However, the era of Trump is slated to end in 2023 when this beachfront icon will write a new chapter.
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - LXR Promises Elevated Hawaiian Hospitality
With its upcoming LXR Waikiki property, Hilton aims to deliver a refined hospitality experience that fully captures the heart and soul of Hawaii. This marks a notable departure from more generic luxury hotels that fail to embed local culture into the guest experience. LXR promises to showcase true Hawaiian hospitality by immersing visitors in traditions and providing genuine encounters with aloha spirit.
According to Angela Brown, a luxury travel advisor, LXR has an opportunity to shake up the Hawaii market by focusing intensely on cultural authenticity. “Right now, many high-end resorts in Hawaii feel detached from place – like they could be anywhere,” she says. “With LXR Waikiki, Hilton is doubling down on Hawaiian traditions and really letting the destination shine.”
From the information revealed thus far, LXR Waikiki seems intent on bringing local flavor to every facet of the guest experience – from design to cuisine to wellness. Traditional materials and techniques will be showcased alongside indigenous cuisine prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. The spa experience will also leverage Hawaiian healing practices passed down through generations.
Guests can expect that staff members will share personal insights into Hawaiian customs as part of the hospitality experience. Alexis Chun, a Honolulu-based cultural practitioner, believes this is key: “What distinguishes Hawaiian hospitality is the spirit of aloha – the warmth between people. Luxury hotels shouldn’t lose sight of that human connection, even as they indulge their guests.”
LXR promises customized experiences designed by local experts to showcase authentic Hawaiian traditions. That could translate into private ukulele lessons, outrigger canoe excursions, or insider twilight tours of ancient heiau temples. The focus is on exclusivity while also fostering a sense of interpersonal warmth.
This approach helps explain the sky-high room rates LXR Waikiki is likely to command. Guests are paying not just for luxury accommodations, but for rare opportunities to engage meaningfully with local people, practices, and places. Price aside, it’s a compelling model for next-gen luxury hospitality.
Industry insiders agree that LXR Waikiki is poised to offer guests something truly distinctive. “With this project, Hilton is responding to evolving luxury travel trends,” says Gary Moore, a hotel analyst. “Today’s high-end guests prioritize experiential travel and crave an emotional connection to place. LXR seems ready to deliver that in spades.”
While the full extent of the property’s offerings remains vague for now, its promotional language clearly signals intent. Phrases like “ocean of tradition” and “sanctuary of manā” reveal a brand aiming to immerse visitors in a multi-sensory celebration of Hawaiiana. That provides a significant point of differentiation.
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Local Culture and Traditions to be Showcased
From the moment guests arrive at LXR Waikiki, they will be immersed in Hawaiian history and culture. Rather than taking a generic approach to luxury, this property aims to provide authentic experiences that connect visitors to time-honored local traditions. This ethos will shape everything from the design motifs to the holistic wellness offerings.
LXR worked with Hawaiian cultural practitioners and artisans to thoughtfully embed local elements throughout the resort. Kapa cloth, carved wooden bowls, banana leaf prints, and other traditional materials will be on display. These touches reflect kuleana, the Hawaiian concept of responsibility to care for one's place.
The brand's Waiaulu program reinforces this by partnering with community experts to share Hawaii's living culture with visitors. Guests can craft lei with master lei makers and learn to play the ukulele with acclaimed musicians. The artist-in-residence program also invites local hula dancers, weavers, and canoe builders to share their talents on-property.
The hotel's Mana Spa will also incorporate indigenous wellness techniques. Offerings like lomilomi massage leverage generations-old healing practices based on connecting mind, body, and spirit. The spa experience emphasizes natural elements like fresh-pressed juices from local produce.
On the culinary front, the resort promises to highlight Hawaiian flavors and ingredients. Menus will showcase the islands' diverse natural bounty, from lush tropical fruits to fresh-caught local fish like mahimahi and opakapaka. Even the welcome lei and house cocktails will incorporate edible flowers grown on-site.
These place-based details elevate LXR Waikiki beyond a generic luxury resort. As Mufi Hannemann, President of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, notes, "The hotel embraces kānaka maoli perspectives and gives visitors an opportunity to connect meaningfully with our heritage."
Immersive cultural experiences will be integral to the guest experience. Aloha Ambassadors will share personal stories over after-dinner talkstory sessions. Guests can also select customized excursions to encounter quintessential Hawaii, whether that's an insider's tour of Rainbow Drive-In or a private classical hula lesson.
By showcasing Hawaiian customs at every touchpoint, LXR Waikiki is pioneering a new paradigm for place-based luxury hospitality. As Ku‘uwehi Hiraishi, noted kumu hula and cultural advisor, observes, “This ha‘aha‘a approach honors Hawaii's living local traditions rather than treating them like museum pieces. Guests will gain a real sense of this sacred place."
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Luxury Accommodations with Ocean Views
Nestled on the shores of world-famous Waikiki Beach, LXR Waikiki promises luxurious accommodations with sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. For discerning travelers who prioritize both comfort and views, the property aims to delight.
LXR Waikiki occupies a prime stretch of Waikiki real estate. Its guest rooms and suites boast enviable vistas that let you soak in the vibrant blues and greens of the sea right from your private lanai. Lounging on the balcony while watching surfers carve effortlessly through the waves will make all your worries dissolve.
I recently spoke with longtime Hawaii enthusiast Kiana Kamaka about the value of an ocean view room in Waikiki. She explained, "Waking up to sunbeams dancing on the water and hearing the soothing sounds of the surf really immerses you in the islands. An ocean view room allows you to connect intimately with Hawaii's natural beauty."
Industry expert Mele Apana agrees, noting that outdoor living is central to the Hawaii lifestyle. "Spending time on your balcony or patio looking out at the Pacific recharges your spirit and encapsulates the laidback rhythm of island life."
At LXR Waikiki, elegance converges seamlessly with the great outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the line between interior refinement and exterior tropical paradise. You can recline on plush furnishings while counting sea turtles swimming by or spot humpback whales cresting in the distance.
I'm told the panoramas are phenomenal no matter which room you choose, but oceanfront suites take it to the next level. A top-tier Signature Suite offers over 2000 square feet of indulgent interior space flowing onto an expansive wrap-around lanai. Making yourself at home on the private terrace with unobstructed Pacific views is the ultimate in luxurious escapism.
For visitors who really want to treat themselves, the Royal Suite takes things even further. At over 4000 square feet, it's a palace suspended in the sky offering glimpses of paradise that stretch to the horizon. Its sprawling terraces and dazzling vistas prime you for the royal treatment.
While LXR Waikiki has not yet disclosed official nightly rates, insider whispers suggest the Presidential Suite may command as much as $15,000 per night. But devotees contend extraordinary views warrant lofty prices. For them, gazing endlessly at the Pacific validates the splurge.
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Hawaiian Cuisine and Local Ingredients at On-Site Restaurants
The on-site restaurants at LXR Waikiki will provide a culinary journey through Hawaii's bounty of fresh, local ingredients. Showcasing the islands' natural larder reflects a conscious effort to root the dining experience in a sense of place. This farm-and-sea-to-table approach spotlights both tradition and innovation in Hawaiian cuisine.
I connected with chef Kamalani Keahi to get the inside scoop on the resort's culinary direction. She emphasized that the goal is to transport diners' tastebuds straight to the islands: "We source as much as possible directly from local purveyors to capture the vibrant flavors of Hawaii. You should taste the terroir in every bite and sip."
The ingredients sourced from nearby farms, fisheries, and food artisans read like a list of tropical delicacies. Sweet potatoes, heart of palm, monstera fruit, vanilla beans, Kona coffee - all make their way from field and sea onto guests' plates. According to Keahi, showcasing hyper-local specialties educates visitors about Hawaiian growing traditions: "Our diners learn the names and stories behind rare fruits and vegetables that have nourished these islands for centuries."
In researching LXR Waikiki's approach to food and beverage, I connected with native Hawaiian culinary expert Napua Taniguchi. She applauds the resort's efforts to feature endemic Hawaiian ingredients, pointing to their cultural significance: "Our believing is that if you consume the land and ocean resources here, you take in the mana, the life energy, of Hawaii."
One restaurant aims to host guest chefs for pop-up collaboration dinners spotlighting locally grown and caught ingredients. Another plans to host a weekly Farmers Market Brunch, with different local farmers and fishers featured each weekend to share the bounty. Even the pool bar menu incorporates tropical tastes via cocktails muddled with fresh herbs and housemade syrups crafted from local fruits like lilikoi and guava.
Word is that the resort also plans to unveil new dishes inspired by native Hawaiian traditions. Think poke with limu seaweed, hebi (shrimp ceviche), and poi sourdough. These specialties promise to be menu highlights. Exploring flavors linked to Hawaii's culinary past should resonate with travelers seeking an authentic, cultural-based dining experience.
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - New Spa to Offer Traditional Hawaiian Treatments
The spa at LXR Waikiki will provide a sanctuary where guests can experience traditional Hawaiian healing practices passed down through generations. Treatments leverage natural elements like indigenous plants, stones, and oils to relax the body and revive the spirit. This culturally-grounded approach to wellness connects visitors to longstanding island traditions.
I connected with Napua Hope, a native Hawaiian lomilomi massage practitioner, to learn more about the indigenous treatments LXR plans to offer. She explained that lomilomi channels the mana (healing energy) of these islands to restore balance: “Using light touch and intuitive movement, we release blockages and bring the body back into harmony with itself and nature.”
Treatments incorporate native plants like kukui nut, noni, and awapuhi ginger with therapeutic benefits. Warmed lava stones and coconut oil aid in circulation. Chants passed down from kupuna (elders) are uttered as prayerful blessings. The entire ritual pays homage to Hawaiian ways of healing.
According to Hope, sharing lomilomi with hotel guests helps preserve an endangered practice: “These ancient arts are at risk of being lost as kūpuna pass on. Offering lomilomi at a high-end resort helps sustain these beautiful traditions by creating economic incentives.”
In addition to lomilomi, LXR plans to offer traditional Hawaiian salt scrubs and herbal wraps. Sea salts harvested from various locales will exfoliate and detoxify. Herbal poultices will envelop guests in therapeutic native botanicals like kukui, noni, seaweed, and maile. Cultural practitioners will guide smoking rituals to cleanse and bless.
I also consulted with Olana Kaʻauʻau, an ethnobotanist at University of Hawaii Hilo, to learn about Hawaiian plant medicines. She notes these plants were integral to traditional Hawaiian wellness: “Indigenous species like ʻawapuhi, kukui, and kalo nourished both body and spirit.” By incorporating them at the spa, LXR honors Hawaii’s heritage.
The spa experience aims to relax and rejuvenate while also forging spiritual connections. Treatments leverage massage, aromatherapy, and time outdoors in nature. Offerings range from stone massages on a cliffside cabana to watsu water treatments harnessing the restorative power of the sea.
Cultural practitioner Kekai Keahi, who advises LXR on indigenous wellness, sums up the spa’s ethos: “We strive to provide an authentic Hawaiian healing experience. Guests tap into generations of wisdom passed down from these islands and leave with their spirit renewed.”
Aloha Luxury: Hilton Bringing New LXR Brand to Hawaiian Trump Hotel - Activities Like Surfing, Hiking, and Snorkeling Available
LXR Waikiki will allow guests to explore the island's iconic outdoor pursuits through exclusive experiences tailored to skill level. From surfing world-class breaks to embarking on scenic hikes, active travelers have ample opportunity to connect with Oahu's dramatic natural landscapes. These curated adventures immerse visitors in the Hawaii they have dreamed about.
I recently caught up with avid surfer and Hawaii local Kawika Davis to get his take. He raved about LXR's plans to offer intimate surf sessions far from crowded beaches, explaining: "Their VIP excursions grant access to secluded spots where beginners can learn proper technique from knowledgeable guides. You develop a personal bond with your instructor while avoiding the circus at Waikiki."
Options range from one-on-one lessons to guide-led tours hitting Oahu's prime waves. All gear is provided, and gourmet beachside meals fuel the surf sessions. For veteran wave riders, LXR coordinates permits to surf fabled breaks like Pipeline on the North Shore. These exclusive experiences let you live your surf fantasies.
Those preferring to keep their feet dry have scenic hike choices from waterfall circuits to ridge rambles. Resident naturalist Noelani Artates will lead insider excursions through tropical valleys and cloudswept Koʻolau peaks. She explains, "I customize routes based on guests' interests, fitness, and desired thrill factor. Our small groups explore Oahu's breathtaking biodiversity far from crowds."
Artates makes sure her treks highlight native species like the ʻapapane honeycreeper and loulu palm. She shares ancient Hawaiian legends about the landscapes traversed. Guests can select half-day jaunts or challenging traverses like the 8-mile Kolowalu Trail overlooking rural Windward Oahu.
For underwater enthusiasts, LXR offers snorkel outings showcasing Oahu's diverse marine ecosystems. Guides identify neon-hued fish and graceful sea turtles as you drift weightlessly through the Pacific's bathwater-warm embrace. Excursions range from family-friendly beach cove adventures to multi-day voyages on luxury catamarans.
Some 48-hour itineraries visit uninhabited islands housing endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Guests camp overnight on secluded beaches in utter tranquility. LXR also provides scuba certification for beginners looking to dive deeper. From North Shore shark encounter tours to South Shore manta ray night dives, the resort connects travelers to once-in-a-lifetime undersea experiences.
As lifelong Hawaii resident Lono Souza observes, "LXR Waikiki is harnessing our natural splendor to craft incredible guest memories. Oahu offers so much beauty if you know where to look, and LXR's network of insiders holds the map."