February 21, 2008
Hawaii's first and only Jimmy Buffett Restaurant at OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber brings new dining and entertainment venue to Waikiki.
WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, OAHU - Outrigger Enterprises Group along with world-renowned singer/songwriter/author Jimmy Buffett, have unveiled plans to open Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, a new dining, entertainment and retail venue, and Hawaii's first Jimmy Buffett restaurant.
OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber's $21 million revitalization momentum continues with Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber and is slated to open in late 2008. Construction of the $15 million project will start soon. The venue will occupy more than 22,000 square feet with customer seating of 400.
"Our partnership with Jimmy Buffett has made it possible to bring this unique new concept to Waikiki," said Dean Nakasone, general manager of OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber. "Guests staying at the newly transformed OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber will get to enjoy Jimmy's island-style magic, making their stay here even more special."
Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber will occupy a prominent location on Kalakaua Avenue above Macy's in the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber hotel's lobby level, formerly the Hibiscus Café and Don Ho and Blue Hawaii showrooms. The restaurant is a festive celebration of Jimmy's adventurous lifestyle and the natural wonders of Hawaii. Guests will be able to choose to dine or enjoy their favorite beverage in open air lanais or within one of the extraordinary island atmospheres created throughout the facility.
Unique technology will allow for beautiful sunsets, crashing waves and majestic mountains to blend seamlessly with the "Hot Spot Bar" (dramatically honoring the molten lava formation of the islands), the Ocean Waves Dining Booths (inspired by the towering waves found on Oahu's North Shore) and the music of Jimmy Buffett and the Islands. The island inspired colors, graphics and finish materials will provide just that touch of casualness and "laid back relaxation" to ensure that the guests will enjoy every moment of their visit to Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber.
"From the first time I rode a wave at Canoes on Waikiki I began to figure out how I could get back to Hawaii on a more regular basis to that One Particular Harbour," said Jimmy Buffett. "I'm not the first nor will I be the last traveler to do so, but now with the partnership of the great folks at Outrigger Hotels, I have realized my dream and we will soon be open in Waikiki. I have had a long love affair with Hawaii and her people. Mark Twain called these 'the loveliest fleet of islands anchored in any ocean' and I couldn't agree more. I have written many stories and songs inspired by my time in Hawaii and can't wait to see what the future holds in the land that is so far but yet so near. Mahalo."
Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber will provide a great Waikiki location where guests can enjoy live nightly entertainment. The restaurant will be an ideal venue for up-and-coming entertainers to showcase their talents. Committed to enhancing Waikiki's future, and through the partnership with Outrigger, Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber will provide more of what visitors and residents want - a great venue for music and entertainment.
"We're delighted Jimmy Buffett has chosen us as a partner to deliver such a significant new concept for Waikiki," said Barbara Campbell, vice president of retail development for Outrigger Enterprises Group. "Jimmy has taught the world how to appreciate the relaxed, slower pace of island cultures around the world, and we are honored he is now coming to Hawaii to continue the celebration of all that makes our island home so special."
Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, a family-friendly destination, will offer fresh island style seafood, burgers and regional favorites. The food will be straight-forward and prepared with the best ingredients; nothing too complicated, only great flavors. For adult refreshments there will be unique boat drinks, margaritas, frozen concoctions and ice cold beer.
As the Waikiki landmark that hosted Don Ho's show in his final years, OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber's extensive top-to-bottom guest room make-over will bring a fresh new face to Hawaii's long time favorite hotel while providing guests with comfortable amenities. Each of the 495 newly re-designed guest rooms feature décor inspired by the Waikiki Beach of the 1950s and 60s and incorporates sandstone accents, and a subtle color palette -- all of which complements the breathtaking Hawaiian landscape outside.
Guests appreciate room updates that include new dark alder and cherry hardwood furnishings and flat-screen televisions, plus all new carpeting, wallpaper, lighting, artwork, headboards, and enhanced custom-made bedding for a fully restful and luxurious sleep.
When staying at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber, guests receive accommodations in a prime and central location in the heart of Waikiki where the best shopping, dining and entertainment options surround the property and Waikiki Beach is only steps away.
For reservations, call OHANA Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 1-800-462-6262. Internet users can access information on OHANA Hotels at www.ohanahotels.com or e-mail reservations@ohanahotels.com.
-----------------------------------------
About OHANA Hotels & Resorts
OHANA Hotels & Resorts is part of the Outrigger Enterprises Group family. The OHANA brand was created in 1999 for travelers seeking quality accommodations at mid-level pricing. Owned by Hawaii's oldest and largest hospitality company, the OHANA brand provides guests with local expertise and a friendly staff. There are eight OHANA properties, five in Waikiki, one at the Honolulu Airport and two on Guam, all conveniently located close to popular visitor attractions and beaches. For more information, visit www.ohanahotels.com.
About Outrigger Enterprises Group
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing hospitality services companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Outrigger is a family-owned company with more than 60 years of hospitality experience and runs a highly-successful, multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, OHANA Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Condominium Collection and Embassy Suites®-Waikiki Beach Walk®.* Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, the mainland USA and Asia. For on-line information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com or www.outrigger.com.
*Embassy Suites is a registered trade mark of Hilton Hotels Corporation.
