It’s been said that royalty is a birthright, but in the case of the Ali’i at Hilton Hawaiian Village, royalty is a prestigious title that has been earned. The tower is currently undergoing a stunning transformation that will give a nostalgic nod to the island’s royal past while managing to retain the tower’s own sense of history. The renovation started in August 2026 and the transformation will debut in Spring of 2027. Take a sneak peek.

The Ali‘i first opened in 1957 as the Ocean Tower of the brand new Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel, acting as the opulent perch for looking out over the glittering white sandy beaches below and the sharply imposing ridges of Diamond Head beyond. It was the tallest building in Waikiki back in 1957.

During that same year, the hotel welcomed its first of what would quickly become many celebrity guests when Elvis Presley checked in to his Mahele Suite on the 14th floor (there was no 15th floor in 1957). Presley was so dazzled by the hotel that he decided to film his 1961 movie Blue Hawaii on the property, just months after a majority of the property was purchased by renowned hotelier Conrad Hilton.

Hilton began renovating the property right away, giving rise to two additional towers, a conference center, and a slew of ethnic restaurants and shops throughout the Village before turning his attention back toward the historic Ocean Tower.

It wasn’t until 1987 that the tower saw its first renovation, reopening as Hilton’s crown jewel as the Ali‘i Tower.

The tower immediately lived up to its new name (ali‘i means “royalty” in the Hawaiian language), with its two additional floors and elite “hotel within a hotel” concept with a doorman, private check-in, pool terrace, bar and fitness center.

Over the years, guests ranging from Presidents and Kings to movie stars and musicians, made use of the tower’s private registration and concierge services and exclusive offerings. The tower set the standard for luxury in Hawaii offering 348 sumptuous guest rooms and acting as the setting for numerous television series like Hawaii 5-0, but it continues to evolve into the royal retreat that it is today.

The transformed Ali’i Tower will reopen in Spring 2027 with 351 rooms and suites, a new infinity pool, bar and lounge, every inch of the tower has been reimagined. Stay tuned for more news about its amenities and special services. See the gallery of images below or go direct to our Ali’i page on this site.