- Address: 223 Saratoga Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815.
- Built: 2009, 469 units, 38 floors, studio - 3BR, Pets: OK (verify).
- Amenities: Pool, Gym, Spa, Business Center & more.
- Developer: Irongate.
- Fun Fact: Pre-construction, year 2006, units sold out in one day (a number of owners ended up cancelling prior to completion and project was completed with developer owning a substantial number of units).
Update 2025 The Trump Tower Waikiki's rebranding to the Ka Lai Waikiki Beach requires a renovation project to take the property to the next level.
The renovation begins in late May 2025 and will be completed in the first quarter of 2026. The first phase of the common element renovation (May to September 2025) starts with the ground-floor lobby and the 6th-floor breakfast restaurant with adjacent spaces. The 6th-floor lobby, dinner restaurant, and 7th-floor (Spa Level) spaces are next from October 2025 through February 2026.
Until December 2025, each unit owner pays a special assessment roughly equal to each unit's monthly maintenance fee for the common area renovation project.
An additional one-time special assessment of ~$200/ sq ft to $237/ sq ft, depending on unit size and number of bathrooms, was collected from unit owners participating in their unit renovation, a requirement to continue in the Ka Lai hotel rental program.
About Ka Lai Ka Lai is a
condo hotel where each residence is individually owned and short-term vacation renting is allowed, just like a hotel.
If a unit is in the hotel rental program the owner has to pay a fixed, rather significant, hospitality charge, every month, also when the owner may be occupying the unit. The only way to 'get around' the hospitality charge, is by opting not to be in the hotel rental program (a good number of owners are not in the hotel rental program and only use as their second home while a smaller percentage also occupy as their primary residence).
Self-managing short-term rentals is not allowed and there are very few rental agencies approval to manage rentals in Ka Lai and in the past it appears they have not been able to outperform the hotel operator - hence the vast majority of owners use the hotel rental program. You can learn more about rules, regulations and more from our
Condotel Guide.
The ground floor and 6th floor open air lobby, overlooking
Fort Derussy Park, both have a very warm and inviting feel. The location itself is really superb, with
Waikiki Beach and
Halekulani Hotel just across the street and endless shops around the corner. Where
Ritz-Carlton Waikiki may be newer and have the better amenities, Trump Tower wins the race when it comes to location.
The Residences Uneven numbered units face west and most have great ocean views with Fort DeRussy Park in the front. Even numbered units face east, towards Diamond Head, and depending on the stack and floor level, you get varying degree of city, ocean and Diamond Head views. The majority of the units have at least 1 balcony - typically good size and usable.
Deluxe Residences: 8th - 23rd floor, 21 units per floor. Ceiling Height: 7'8".
Grand Residences: 24th - 34th floor, 9 units per floor. Ceiling Height: 8'5".
Trump Residences: 35th - 37th floor, 9 units per floor. Ceiling Height: 8'7".
Penthouse Residences: 38th floor, 6 units with over-sized rooftop patios. Ceiling Height: Various.
Amenities Pool: Fairly small (6th floor).
Gym: OK, but small (7th floor, Spa level).
Spa: Owners may benefit from discounts (7th floor).
Business Center & Library: 7th floor, Spa level.
Parking: Owners have access to a parking stall - no charge - when visiting Hawaii, valet style only. An owner can leave a car at property while not in Hawaii for $340 / month (verify).
Elevators: 4 residential elevators and 2 elevators connecting 1st floor entry lobby with the 6th floor main lobby.
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