The Ilikai
| The Ilikai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawai'i |
| Coordinates | 21°17′04″N 157°50′18″W / 21.28444°N 157.83833°WCoordinates: 21°17′04″N 157°50′18″W / 21.28444°N 157.83833°W |
| Opening | 29 February 1964 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 26 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Graham, Jr. |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms |
343 Hotel 80 Time share 586 Condominium |
| Website | |
| http://www.ilikaihotel.com/index.html | |
The Ilikai is a landmark oceanfront high rise hotel and condominium at the western end of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawai'i. When it opened in 1964, the Ilikai was the first luxury high rise hotel in Hawai'i.[1]
The Ilikai is also well known, outside of Honolulu travelers and residents, for appearing prominently in the opening credits of the long running TV series Hawaii Five-O. The show's star, Jack Lord, is standing on the Ilikai penthouse balcony as the camera dramatically zooms in on him. This same sequence is used in the opening credits of the 2010 remake, with Alex O'Loughlin replacing Lord.
History
The Ilikai was the idea of Chinn Ho, a self made millionaire. The building was designed by John Graham, Jr., who also designed the Seattle Space Needle. The original building features three wings radiating from a central point in a "Y" shape. Another unique architectural feature is the external glass elevator, which runs express to the top floor. A shorter single wing building was added later, across the open air lobby and pool.
In 1974 Chinn Ho sold the property to hotel chain Westin Hotel Company.[1] In 1987, Westin sold the property and it was renamed The Ilikai Waikiki and in 2000 reflagged to Marriott's Renaissance line.[2]
In 2006, the hotel portion was purchased by Brian Anderson and Anekona Development Group.[3] In 2009, the hotel, which was facing foreclosure, was acquired by New York-based iStar Financial. They own the 203 units that make up the hotel portion of the Ilikai. Honolulu-based Aqua Hotels and Resorts is currently running the property.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan (1968) are some of the many celebrities that have stayed in the Ilikai Hotel.
References
- 1 2 "Ilikai Hotel - History". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ↑ "The Ilikai/Hotel Nikko Waikiki Reglagged as Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ↑ "Anekona Development Group, Owner of the W Honolulu Hotel, Acquires the Former Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waikiki Beach. |