Hilton has been growing its Hawaii portfolio rather aggressively lately. Yes, Hyatt has received a lot of press over it’s upcoming Unbound Collection Coco Palms (Kahai) and Hyatt Centric Waikiki (Oahu). But Hilton has been far more active in new property openings, it just hasn’t received as much attention. This is likely because that growth has been focused on mid to lower tier brands, rather than new and/or luxury brands, such as the Hampton Inn and Suites Kapolei now open in the Ka Makana Ali’i shopping center on Oahu’s west side.
The Hampton Inn Kapolei joins the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki as the two newest Hilton Hotels in the State of Hawaii. Both are also the first properties for their respective brands on Oahu. But that’s where their similarities ends. While the Garden Inn is in central Waikiki, across the street from the International Market Place, while the Hampton Inn is 23 miles away in Honolulu’s second city of Kapolei.
The hotel is pretty basic and sticks to the standard Hampton Inn formula. Amenities include free breakfast, laundry facilities, a business center, fitness center, a small pool, and free coffee and tea in the lobby 24 hours a day.
The rooms range in size from 388 sq/ft to 555 sq/ft, and all include irons, HDTVs, a mini fridge, hairdryer, and complimentary wifi. Suites include microwaves on top of the standard room features. Self-parking in an open lot is complimentary. How they handle the parking, though, will be interesting. Why?
Because, as I’ve said before, the Hampton Inn is located in Oahu’s newest mall, Ka Makana Ali’i. And the parking lot thus far doesn’t look like its separated in any way from the rest of the mall. But, while there isn’t any on-site dining outside of the complimentary breakfast, you’ll have a number of options very nearby at least.
For the first few months since opening, the Hampton Inn’s lowest rate ranges from $166 (pre-paid) to $189/night. But in 2017, the lowest published rate thus far is $209/night, except for a pre-paid rate of $132 in October 2017. The property is a HHonors category 5, meaning an award night in a standard room will cost your 30,000 to 40,000 points. For reference, the Double Tree Hotel Alana – Waikiki Beach and Hilton Waikiki Beach are HHonors category 6, while the Garden Inn Waikiki and the Hilton Hawaiian Village are a 7.
The Hampton Inn looks like a nice property, but I’m wondering who’s going to stay here? The property is in the middle of suburbs, and is even next to a middle school. The nearest beach is almost five miles away (White Plains), and the nearest hotels are nearly 9 miles away in Ko Olina. Yes, the Hampton Inn’s rates are a bit cheaper than the other Hilton properties on-island, but it’s not on a beach. It isn’t really near attractions either, though it would be a shorter drive to the North Shore. I’m thinking the target market of this property are visitors with family in the area. Especially since many military families that don’t live on base often live in and around Kapolei.