Even Hong Kong’s mild winter has had me dreaming of far off places that are much warmer…of beaches and the smell of sand, surf and sunscreen. As I have no beach holiday planned in the near future I’ll just have to make do with these images of the new Yabu Pushelberg designed EDITION hotel in Waikiki.
EDITION hotels, the latest brand in the Marriott portfolio, is the brainchild of Mr Marriott himself and Ian Schrager, the entertainment and hospitality pioneer. The Waikiki Edition is the first (Istanbul is set to open early this year) of possibly 100 lifestyle hotels to be located in “24 hr gateway cities” around the world.
Chosen for their clean and simple aesthetic, Yabu Pushelberg looked to their own personal residences for inspiration when deciding on the design direction for the 353-room hotel, which lends an intimate, relaxed and ‘un-designed’ feel but with a sophisticated edge.
In keeping with the less is more concept, the firm opted for a fresh and airy design plan, a refined nod to 1960s Hawaiian nostalgia. All public spaces, guest rooms and even outdoor areas offer guests a beachy, eclectic, and effortless environment, which ties in well with the structure’s simple architecture. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with an intimate, low-ceiling lobby, where whitewashed woods, charcoal black floors, white and oatmeal furnishings, and natural fabrics like the massive woven rope rug are combined in direct contrast to the lush surrounding greenery. Key design features in this space include a massive sculptural carved-wood reception desk, which is mirrored by a similar carved lobby bar. An oversized pivoting bookshelf divides the reception area from the lobby bar and is similarly equipped with an eclectic mix of relaxed, neutral furnishings. Oh, and the surfboard sculptural installation behind the reception desk is pretty fun too.
Upstairs, the neutral color palette continues. Breezy guest rooms are done in crisp whites and oatmeals and are accented by massive teak louvered window panels and carpeted floors in natural shades. Tufted headboards and chaise lounges add a soft sexiness to the space, as do the clean white bedding choices. Fresh spa-like bathrooms were constructed with cast Terrazzo sinks, floor-to-ceiling off-white subway tiles, and teak louvers that divide this area from the bedroom. To die for, right?
Another amazing feature of the hotel are the two spectacular pool decks. The main pool deck, located on the second floor and looking out over the harbor, features Ipe wood decking with an upscale pool bar tucked off to the side. A series of planters have been implemented to create a shaded canopy alongside the pool deck. Just above the main deck is the upper pool deck, which doubles as the VIP pool area. Here the round central pool is surrounded by sand and palm trees, as is the more casual poolside bar. Beach mats with oversized cushions and low-slung sun loungers, all done in a neutral palette, make for an inviting poolside environment in both areas.
