Hawaiian Hospitality Gets a Neon Makeover at the New Shoreline Hotel in Waikiki

An explosion of neon and nature, this 56,000-square-foot, 135-room boutique hotel takes the concept of Hawaiian-inspired design and transforms it into a modern day interpretation that still feels authentic.

Guests check in at the open-air lobby and pass through ever-changing backdrops of multi-colored fluorescent hallways and stairwells of tropical wallpaper prints.

Once inside their rooms, guests are greeted with a custom topographic map of Hawaii. Each room is outfitted with custom carpet, bedding, drapery and furniture by BluDot and Missana, done in bright color ways and geometric shapes reminiscent of the Memphis design movement.

Throughout the hotel, you’ll see the fun phrase “It’s pau hana somewhere” inscribed on message boards and mini fridges. (Pau hana literally translates to ‘finished work’ and is a Hawaiian spin on the popular phrase “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” It’s time to relax.)

Back on the first floor, a double ceiling lounge area features a custom white styrene “jungle wall” that’s activated by color change lights, a hanging installation of rattan cage light fixtures housing paper sculptures of birds native to Hawaii, and geometric-shaped furnishings including custom Acacia wood cocktail tables, a 14-foot-long sofa, modern yellow wingback chairs and blue metal end tables.

The lounge area gets a neon light treatment at night that looks like a glowing sunset.

A tropical mural of Hawaii’s landscape painted by California-based artist DJ Neff flanks the rooftop pool and provides a neon backdrop for morning swim.

By design-milk