Ilikai, officially Ilikai Apartments, opened in 1964 as Waikiki’s first condotel, a pioneering concept by developer Chinn Ho blending condo ownership with hotel operations. Designed by
John Graham Jr. (Seattle Space Needle), its 26-story, Y-shaped structure towered over a then-flat Waikiki. Located next to the beach and marina, it gained global recognition through
Hawaii Five-O, with millions weekly seeing
Jack Lord on the penthouse lanai in the original series’ opening. It remains one of only three
condos in Waikiki with direct beach access, alongside
Waikiki Shore and
Ilikai Marina.
Units & Floor Plans Floors 3-25: Up to 43 condos per floor with three layouts:
- 1BR: 500 sq ft (some slightly smaller), 120 sq ft lanai. Most (~840+) units along the three wings, often converted to open studios by removing shoji doors, with full-width lanais and sliding glass doors.
- 2BR/2BA Corner-End: 1,000 sq ft, two 120 sq ft lanais (240 sq ft total). ~138 units in stacks -09, -10, -25, -26, -43, -44 at wing tips, offering 180+ degree views.
- 2BR/2BA Ocean-Side: 1,000 sq ft, 240 sq ft double-wide lanai. ~16 units in stacks -18, -22, -31, -34, -39, with bedrooms flanking the living room.
Floor 26 (Penthouses): 13 units, 2BR and 3BR configurations, up to 2,378 sq ft, with tall ceilings.
All units feature wide lanais, most with ocean views, and support short-term vacation rentals.
Views- Marina & Ocean: Even stacks -02 to -10, odd stacks -27 to -43.
- Lagoon & Ocean: Even stacks -12 to -44.
- Mountain: Odd stacks -01 to -25.
Upgrades: A 2014 renovation refreshed the lobby, 2nd-level retail, porte cochere, and pool deck, with a family pool added by summer 2015, replacing a tennis court. Floors 22-25, renovated in 2014, feature top-grade finishes, full kitchens, and upscale furnishings, previously hotel-only, now for sale.
Details: Includes a glass elevator to
Empire Steakhouse Hawaii out of New York (opened 2025) atop the building and a bather’s elevator to the beach. Features 11 commercial units (7.74%) with a number of casual eateries, 8 elevators, and 494 parking stalls (none deeded). The Ilikai Hotel owns 28.33%. 123 timeshare units are available. iStar Financial (now
Safehold) acquired ~200 units in a 2009 foreclosure auction.
Location: Adjacent to Hilton Hawaiian Village’s beach and lagoon, with on-site dining and shopping or walkable options along Ala Moana Blvd.
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