Having welcomed an array of high-profile names down the years, including Queen Elizabeth II, Frank Sinatra and Sir Elton John, the iconic Kahala Hotel and Resort has expanded outside Hawaii in the form of a stylish waterfront scheme in Yokohama.
When this hotly tipped property officially opened its doors on 23 September 2020, it became the first Kahala-branded hotel beyond the confines of the Aloha State. We take a look inside The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama.
The Kahala arrives in Japan
Marking a bold step into unchartered waters, The Kahala Hotel and Resort Yokohama’s debut ushers in an exciting new era for the Hawaiian brand, celebrated for its 1964-opened property in Honolulu. Through this new outpost, the brand promises to stay true to its Hawaiian identity while embracing Japan’s famously attentive approach to hospitality, known as omotenashi.
“Since 1881, when the city of Yokohama first welcomed King David Kalākaua and his entourage from Hawaii, our two cultures have forged a common bond in hospitality,” said Joe Ibarra, general manager of The Kahala Hotel & Resort. “We are excited and proud to welcome the Kahala Yokohama to the family and know that the spirit of Hawaiian ho’okipa will translate well to Japanese omotenashi.”
Luxury on Yokohama’s waterfront
Extending The Kahala brand’s reputation for luxury accommodation, this new 146-room hotel boasts a selection of lavish amenities from an indoor bath spa, 20-metre heated pool, training gym and five-room salon to a spacious lounge, venues for Italian and Japanese dining and a grand ballroom for conferences and banquets. Reflecting The Kahala brand’s origins, the interiors here also incorporate Kahala symbols and elements of Hawaiian design.
The new luxury hotel sits within Yokohama’s vibrant Minato Mirai waterfront and business district, famed for its high-end lifestyle venues and futuristic skyline. The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama commands panoramic views over this impressive district and is conveniently situated just a 30-minute journey by car from Haneda International Airport.
Both The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Hawaii and this new property are owned by ResortTrust, which purchased the Honolulu hotel in 2014.
The Kahala is a member of Leading Hotels of the World as well as Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Its previous guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Richie, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie.
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