HGVC - Lewers, Waikiki

Is HGVC on a buying spree these days? Unfortunately, it's another one in Waikiki. http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20110528_Outrigger_sells_hotel__to_branch_of_Hilton.html

jestme said:

Is HGVC on a buying spree these days? Unfortunately, it's another one in Waikiki. http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20110528_Outrigger_sells_hotel__to_branch_of_Hilton.html

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Thanks for the info

From the article...
"Hilton Grand Vacations has acquired the Ohana Islander Waikiki Hotel for an undisclosed price from Outrigger Enterprises Group, which will manage the asset once Hilton transforms it into a time share.

The property at 270 Lewers St. will be re-branded the Hilton Grand Vacations Club — Waikiki Beach Walk when it welcomes its first guests in the summer of 2013. Interval sales of the property's 143 one-bedroom suites will begin next summer."

Here's a picture of the location.
It's near the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beachwalk, Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk and Imperial Hawaii Resort

Wow, that's a pretty good distance from the beach. I wonder how many people are going to want to fly all the way to Oahu, then stay at HGVC timeshare a couple of blocks away from the beach? Even if there is no availability at HGVC HHV, I'm not flying that far to stay in town rather than on/near the beach.

dougp26364 said:

Wow, that's a pretty good distance from the beach. I wonder how many people are going to want to fly all the way to Oahu, then stay at HGVC timeshare a couple of blocks away from the beach? Even if there is no availability at HGVC HHV, I'm not flying that far to stay in town rather than on/near the beach.

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I agree with this point -- I already owned Wyndham and I was never that excited about visiting Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk because it was a couple blocks from the beach, and had a very modest pool (think apartment building).

I'll be curious if HGVC Waikiki Beach Walk is any different. As much as I would have liked a different island, Honolulu does make sense because of Hilton's desire/need to also appeal to the Far East customer. When I saw Grand Waikikian for the first time, I felt it must be targeting the Japanese customer?

But I too am intrigued about Hilton's expansions here -- this is a different model (if I understand it correctly) from the Myrtle Beach property. With the new Honolulu property, it appears Hilton will own the property, which is managed by a third party. With Myrtle Beach, it appears third party will own the property, which is managed by Hilton. Did I interpret correctly?

Under both scenarios, it does appear HGVC is confident in their business model, and appears willing to take advantage of the soft real estate conditions to expand their presence. This is good news for the HGVC owner, and hopefully additional expansion will occur in the other Hawaiian Islands, and the Caribbean too.

I keep hoping either Hilton or Marriott will consolidate the Dawn Beach Club in St. Maarten, because its one of the few that I am aware of that was purpose-built with the types of amenities they would want. However, its only 3BR units. There must be other similar buildings out there, I'm sure Hilton is looking for them (whereas Marriott appears absorbed with its point system launch and its spin-out, and with lots of inventory to sell, additional inventory appears to be far down the list).

Best to all,

Greg


Edited: In Phyllis' picture of Honolulu above, Wyndham's property (the one I think is too far from the beach) is pictured -- it's two buildings closer to the ocean and you can see the small pool just to the south of the building. It's next to the building with the pool on the roof.

I wonder what affect this might have on the previously announced 2 new timeshare buildings at HHV. Will they be delayed?

...With the new Honolulu property, it appears Hilton will own the property, which is managed by a third party. With Myrtle Beach, it appears third party will own the property, which is managed by Hilton. Did I interpret correctly?...

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IIRC, the models are more similar than different.
It appears that Hilton is leaving the original owner in place to manage each,
buying only half the units in Myrtle Beach and the entire property in Hawaii.

We actually had some nice Diamond Head and Ocean views from upper floor units at Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk. I love that area.

Where is the Hilton Hawaii villager grand Waikiki on the map in relation to the other timeshares? I got an exchange there for next june? Thanks

littlestar said:

We actually had some nice Diamond Head and Ocean views from upper floor units at Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk. I love that area.

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LittleStar,

Have you stayed at HHV also? Can you contrast the HHV area versus BeachWalk area? I'm intrigued that you love that area and am happy to hear this.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

lily28 said:

Where is the Hilton Hawaii villager grand Waikiki on the map in relation to the other timeshares? I got an exchange there for next june? Thanks

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To the left on the picture above you see a grassy area. HHV is a little further to the left of that, just out of the picture.

If you go to google maps you can see the close proximity of the properties.

I think the new property will appeal to those who like the shopping and restaurants of Waikiki vs those who prefer the ocean. In my mind, if I want a city atmosphere, shopping and restaurants, I'm more prone to go to Vegas. If I'm paying $1,600 (or more) in airfare and spending upwards of 12 hours travel time, I want a beach location and I'll take the Waikiki trolley to the shops and restaurants. We enjoy this area and it's one of the reasons my wife wanted to return the Oahu vs returning to Kauai (I prefer Kauai myself) but, neither of us would want to stay a couple blocks off the beach.

Of course, it's all a matter of personal preference. I'm just curious as to how popular more of a city based vacation experience will be for Honolulu. The Asian market for Hawaii is something I don't fully appreciate.

dvc_john said:

I wonder what affect this might have on the previously announced 2 new timeshare buildings at HHV. Will they be delayed?

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I was thinking the same thing, I hope it gets delayed because HHV is already crowded enough with GW.

I'm at KL this week and the second phase across the street is under construction too.

[Sorry, off topic....]

Believe it or not, I think this is a good addition for HGVC. I am an extremely avid fan of both the HHV AND Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk. I have stay in both resorts at least 5-10 times each.

When I want to have an oceanview unit, I stay in HHV. When I want to stay near the action in Waikiki, I stay at the Wyndham.

The HHV is actually rather isolated. It's a small hassle getting to Waikiki. My parents prefer the Wyndham because they like hanging around the Waikiki area.

Now, owners at HHV will have a choice of both locations.

lily28 said:

Where is the Hilton Hawaii villager grand Waikiki on the map in relation to the other timeshares? I got an exchange there for next june? Thanks

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littlestar said:

We actually had some nice Diamond Head and Ocean views from upper floor units at Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk. I love that area.

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Promotional photos from Ohana Islander Waikiki Hotel's Web site:

GregT said:

LittleStar,

Have you stayed at HHV also? Can you contrast the HHV area versus BeachWalk area? I'm intrigued that you love that area and am happy to hear this.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

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I haven't stayed at HHV, but walked around the various Hilton properties when we stayed at Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk. We had a 7th floor 2 bedroom Wyndham unit and an upper floor 1 bedroom corner unit (the views from the corner upper floor unit were fabulous). It was just one block to the beach.

I loved the upscale shopping, restaurants, and the easy walk to the extra wide beach and the pretty park nearby. It was an easy walk to the Royal Hawaiian hotel, too. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I absolutely loved the Beachwalk area. I've recently purchased another 126,000 Wyndham points resale - I'd like to be able to stay in a presidential unit the next time I go back!

I've stayed at both HHV and BeachWalk and MUCH prefer HHV. Personally, I don't get why HGVC would want a new property this far off the beach. I thought the "Beach Walk" area was nice but grossly over-hyped. Maybe there is additional development in the area of the new property that will make this an enhanced location in the future?

I would have much preferred a new HGVC property in Maui or Hilton Head or Key West or Caymans or Turks & Caicos or ........

When we wre at HHV last week, I kept asking the salesman where the next new tower was going to be. He finally said that it woulkd be at the bus depot location.

They will get this on line faster than trying to build the new one. And alot cheaper too.

travelguy said:

I would have much preferred a new HGVC property in Maui or Hilton Head or Key West or Caymans or Turks & Caicos or ........

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From some internet searches, it sounds like the property was closed in 2008 for a renovation and then never re-opened because of the economy (and it doesn't appear the renovations were completed either).

I have to believe there are similar stories in other tropical spots (ie Caribbean) and I hope that HGVC will take advantage of this in other areas too.

The Caribbean is a logical expansion opportunity for them because they are currently limited to Cancun (and an affiliate at that) -- I hope they are exploring the Islands.

Here's hoping......

Best,

Greg

Update

Bumping this old thread...

Hilton Grand Vacations Announces Start of Construction and Sales of New Waikiki Resort - http://www.hiltongrandvacationsmediacenter.com/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/22326#.UJQ_Vt6rTKY.twitter

November 01, 2012

HONOLULU - Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) announced today the start of construction of its newest resort, Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, an upscale urban timeshare resort in world-famous Waikiki. Coinciding with the start of the extensive renovation project was the official launch of sales for the resort, which is the company's seventh timeshare resort in Hawaii. The property is located at the site of the former OHANA® Islander Waikiki Hotel and was acquired from Outrigger Enterprises Group by HGV in May 2011. The resort is anticipated to open in late 2013.

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There's also a website with photos - http://www.hokulaniwaikiki.com


Exterior Rendering



Living Room Rendering



Roof Deck Rendering

Thanks for the info. I've been wondering what was happening with this property.

UPDATE - Additional photos

One Bedroom Suite Layout

Phyllis,

Thank you for posting these -- interesting room layout, it looks like the bedroom and living room are connected (no doors???)

Seems a little odd, but I can't tell how they are separated. It does look like there is a wall between them as TVs appear on both sides -- am I missing a door?

Thanks again!

Greg

GregT said:

Phyllis,

Thank you for posting these -- interesting room layout, it looks like the bedroom and living room are connected (no doors???)

Seems a little odd, but I can't tell how they are separated. It does look like there is a wall between them as TVs appear on both sides -- am I missing a door?

Thanks again!

Greg

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Looking closer, it looks like sliding doors on the left and right. Instead of calling it a studio, they are calling it a 1 bedroom. That way, if they need to rent it out, during open season, they can charge 1 bedroom rates vs. studio rates. That is a pretty slick trick.

DEROS said:

Looking closer, it looks like sliding doors on the left and right. Instead of calling it a studio, they are calling it a 1 bedroom. That way, if they need to rent it out, during open season, they can charge 1 bedroom rates vs. studio rates. That is a pretty slick trick.

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That is an excellent point -- looking at the kitchen(ette), this is really a glorified/oversized Studio. But I do prefer the separation that is possible even with a sliding door, because I'm an early riser.

Thanks!

Greg