Unveiling Romer House Waikīkī: Highgate’s New Hotel And IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Highgate unveils Romer House Waikīkī, O’ahu’s new adults-only hotel, featuring IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA by TableOne Hospitality, blending Japanese and Hawaiian culinary delights.

This summer ushers in an era of carefree adulting in paradise as Highgate introduces Romer House Waikīkī. Boasting 179 rooms, it stands as O’ahu’s exclusive adults-only hotel, offering a secluded haven for guests eager to immerse themselves in Hawai’i’s dynamic artistic and cultural scene. The spacious, residential-style lobby leads effortlessly to Waikīkī’s newest dining and drinking spot, IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA. This establishment, a brainchild of TableOne Hospitality and renowned restaurateur Patric Yumul, merges Japanese traditions, Hawaiian tastes, and nostalgic analog interactions. Romer House Waikīkī is deeply rooted in the local community, providing unparalleled access to beloved local spots often missed in typical travel guides. With summer rates starting at $195 per night, visitors are encouraged to uncover the lesser-known treasures of Waikīkī and beyond, all with a sophisticated, modern twist. @romerhousewaikiki.

“Highgate is committed to boldly expanding its hospitality portfolio to support every guest – be it kama’aina or visitor – curating an experience truly aligned with their interests, needs and spend,” said President of Highgate Hawaii Kelly Sanders. “Romer House Waikīkī serves as an extension of Hawaii’s community, culture and above all, connection. Its location in the heart of Waikiki, with accessibility to the neighborhood’s vibrancy, appeals to this thriving leisure market. Highgate is thrilled to lead this new standard of affluence on Oahu.”

Romer House Waikīkī at 415 Nāhua Street, recently reimagined, stands as the sister hotel to Romer Waikīkī at the Ambassador, catering to all types of travelers. Romer House showcases the iconic Mid-Century architectural style that Waikīkī is famous for, featuring interiors designed by IndiDesign and a thoughtfully curated local art collection that embodies the spirit of the area. Guests receive a “key to the neighborhood,” granting them exclusive perks around the island, along with unique lifestyle partnerships, a rejuvenating wellness series, playful amenities and retail options, premier dining reservations, and an urban pool retreat perfect for socializing and enjoying cocktails throughout the day—all in a kid-free environment.

“Romer House Waikīkī embodies LUCID’s unique ability to maximize every inch of a redevelopment to create spaces and experiences that are highly relevant and memorable for our guests,” said Paul McElroy, EVP of LUCID, Highgate’s in-house design and construction studio. “Because Romer Hotels take shape around the people, ideas, sights and sounds that make a neighborhood unique, we took great inspiration from the surrounding area in order to methodically develop an urban oasis complete with a brand-new pool deck, expanded guest rooms, exciting F&B venues and more.”

IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA, RESTAURANT & BAR

At the core of Romer House lies the newly reimagined IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA, a creation of TableOne Hospitality. This restaurant and bar draw inspiration from the nostalgia of Waikīkī’s nearly extinct sky-blue pay phones, with their iconic 1-855-ALOHA-00 invitation to connect. The venue is designed as a lively gathering spot, showcasing the spirited and warm hospitality of Japan while celebrating the diverse cultures of Hawai’i.

Helmed by award-winning, Sendai-born Chef and Partner Shotaro “Sho” Kamio, along with Executive Chef Daniel No, IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA offers a creative and accessible menu. Their culinary approach merges the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese cuisine with a rich exploration of Hawai’i’s finest local ingredients. The result is a delightful culinary journey that appeals to both visitors and locals.

Designed by IndiDesign, the space features vibrant original artwork by local illustrator Solario and photography by Joe Rovegno, all paying tribute to the beloved payphone. Situated in the lobby of Romer House, IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA is open daily for dinner, beginning with pau hana at 4:00 PM and its first seating at 5:00 PM. Its expansive bar is one of Waikīkī’s few late-night social hubs, offering drinks and bites well into the night.

“When we started TableOne Hospitality, I followed the path Chef Michael and I created at MINA Group, making a commitment to create dimensional culinary experiences, placing a high priority on developing distinctive locales, each committed to celebrating a dedicated cuisine and culture that honored its sense of place. With elevated interiors, warmth of service and exceptional standards of culinary excellence, IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA embodies the heart of that founding vision and is a true extension of the Romer neighborhood experiential philosophy,” said Patric Yumul, CEO of TableOne Hospitality.

THE BACKYARD by 855-ALOHA

Located on the second floor, The Backyard pool and bar offer a tranquil social hub free from splash-zone distractions. Guests can enjoy bites and bentos from IZAKAYA 855-ALOHA, all-day dining, and nostalgic cocktails. Romer House ensures the good times keep flowing with a serene oasis featuring softly upholstered cabana daybeds, lounge vignettes, and a full-service bar. Guests can relax in the wade pool, surrounded by native plants and a custom mural inspired by Waikīkī’s original fishponds, created by Hawaiian artist Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum.

THE ALOHA LINE, CONNECTED

A dedicated phone line is available 24/7, providing personalized recommendations, insider tips about the neighborhood, and helpful guidance for island-wide exploration, all tailored to guest preferences and interests.

KEYS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Each guest’s journey begins with uniquely designed key cards that offer preferred access to the neighborhood through exclusive perks at various local businesses around the island.

ALCHEMY OF ALOHA

• Wellbeing Classes: Poolside sessions offered by Body Balance Hawaii.
• In-Room Spa Bundles: Designed by Aim Hi Everyday, featuring a jade face mask, lavender spray with gua sha.
• Complimentary Bike Rentals: Provided by Bike Factory Hawaii.
• Amenities: Include products from Coola Sun Goddess, Slowtide, Playground, Bala Bangles, and Bradley & Lily.
• Signature Scent: A blend of spice and florals, inspired by walks through open-air markets and vintage shops.
• The Corner Store: Offers local designer ‘must-haves,’ seasonal collections of apparel, accessories, decor, beauty, skincare from local brands and artists, travel essentials, and Romer special-edition collections.

ROMER HOUSE ART

Romer House accommodations pay homage to Oʻahu’s mid-century architecture, while the hotel celebrates the local art scene of today. Guests are greeted by large black-and-white photographs by renowned surf photographer Arto Saari, leading to a rotating gallery wall featuring an opening installation of paintings by Chelsea Kinch. The pool deck showcases an original mural by Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum. Romer House exudes a treasured sense of place for its 96815 address.

ROMER GUEST ROOMS

IndiDesign has captured the essence of the area’s residential architectural past in guest rooms that embody the ideal Waikīkī apartment lifestyle—a soothing mix of woven textiles, warm, rounded wood, and matte black and midnight blues reflecting the island’s urban-beach chic aesthetic. Many rooms feature large-scale glass sliders opening to hideaway lanais overlooking Waikīkī’s sights and sounds, echoed in neighborhood photography on the walls. Highgate’s in-house design and construction studio, LUCID, led the project management for the entire hotel.

LOVE THY NEIGHBORHOOD

Caring for the land and community is central to Romer’s good neighbor philosophy. Like its family-friendly sister property, Romer Waikīkī at the Ambassador, Romer House will act as a steward of King Kalākaua Park. Guests are also invited to support these stewardship initiatives through the ‘Love Thy Neighborhood’ program, which sustains local efforts such as the Genki Ala Wai Project with Waikīkī Community Center and the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation.