Two Swanky Places to Stay: AC Hotel and Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa

Honolulu visitors—and locals planning staycations—have two chic new hotel options—AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu, which opened on Bishop Street in December, and Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, which makes its debut next month in the Ala Moana area.

The downtown Marriott, the first “AC Hotel” on O‘ahu, targets business travelers looking to stay at boutique properties outside of Waikīkī. It’s a somewhat unexpected location for a new hotel, considering the struggles of the neighborhood, particularly since the pandemic. But the renovation of the former Remington College Building went as planned, and the AC hosted its first guests before the holidays. The hotel also launched a trendy speakeasy called Yours Truly; a European-inspired breakfast spot; and AC Lounge, which serves Spanish tapas, craft beers and cocktails.

The Renaissance, meanwhile, is also a first on the island for the Renaissance brand. The 39-story luxury hotel boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows in its 300 guest rooms and Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in its kitchens. It also features state-of-the-art wellness facilities, including an Olympic-sized lap pool, traditional Japanese ofuro soaking tubs, Himalayan salt saunas, cold plunge baths and a yoga studio. Other offerings: a private club lounge, heated saltwater swimming pool with cabanas, and curated artwork by Hawai‘i designer Sig Zane. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Mara, meanwhile, will serve a Mediterranean menu with tapas and fresh seafood.

AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu, 1111 Bishop St., marriott.com, @achotelhnl

Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, 1390 Kapi‘olani Blvd., marriott.com, @renaissancehonolulu