Hawaii: Plush residence-resort near Waikiki Beach to open in June

Waikiki’s newest luxury high-rise resort will open next month with room rates from $649 a night for a studio to $2,449 a night for a three-bedroom suite.

Strictly speaking, the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, in Honolulu aren’t a hotel. Rather, residences are privately owned units that are rented when owners are away.

Nightly room rates are pricey and require a two-night minimum stay. (If you want to buy, the website quotes prices of $898,800 to $6 million.)

Though all units in the newly constructed tower face the ocean, guests won’t exactly be beachside here, even though “Waikiki Beach” is part of the name. The beach is about a half-mile walk away.

Located at 383 Kalaimoku St., the new resort is just off Kalakaua Avenue, the main drag through the resort area of Honolulu. The property is right behind Luxury Row, which boasts tenants such as Chanel, Gucci and Tiffany.

It features a fitness center (with sauna and steam room), a Ritz Kids Lounge, a spa and two pools -- one for adults only.

One caveat if you decide to stay: Don’t expect to earn Ritz-Carlton Rewards or Marriott Rewards.

When fully opened -- the hotel’s second tower is still under construction -- the property is to feature two restaurants. Opening in June, BLT Market provides American cuisine, with menu changes daily reflecting what’s fresh and in season.

No opening date has been announced for Sushi Sho, a Japanese group of restaurants. The Waikiki location will be sushi chef Keiji Nakazawa’s first venture outside Japan.

The resort is slated to open June 1, and reservations for the month are booked. Reservations for stays July 1 or later can be made online or by calling (808) 922-8222.

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