Koolani – Mastering the Art of Hospitality

Koolani luxury condominium located in Kakaako Neighborhood
Photo Credits: Michael Torres Photography

Kakaako is known to many as “Honolulu’s Hippest Neighborhood” where a luxury urban lifestyle exists with so many options for foodies, fitness junkies, beachgoers and shopaholics. There are numerous luxury residential condominiums newly built or being built, easily about 20 plus, that it can really be quite overwhelming to decide where to spend your real estate dollars. The price tag on most of the newer luxury buildings will run you over a million to several million dollars for your much-desired hip luxury lifestyle.

Beautiful Ocean views from every room in unit #2403

Here’s one exception—the fairly new Koolani at 1177 Queen Street, built in 2006, which currently has a beautiful pristine two bedroom ocean view unit #2403 listed for under a million dollars at $970,000 (MLS #201721906). With close up ocean views from every room—the price tag is amazing for a luxury condominium home located in the prestigious Kakaako neighborhood!

Spacious Interior at 1162 Square feet

One of the first original three luxury buildings built in the Kakaako area when the neighborhood was in its infancy stages of being developed as an urban lifestyle neighborhood, (the other two are its adjacent neighbors Waihonua and Hokua)—Koolani offers a grand scale building and green space with the largest footprint to date in Kakaako. With the most extensive amenities such as an elegant spacious lobby complete with a front desk concierge staff that will greet you at the door and assist you with every need, it feels similar to a luxury hotel. There are the standard “must haves” such as their recreation deck complete with swimming pool and well-manicured barbecue picnic areas with a park-like ambience, plus numerous extras such as tennis courts, golf putting green, party room, billiard table room, business center and conference room that is available 24/7, a guest suite (for friends or family who visit), and even a movie theater! Not to mention just off the lobby area there is the ever-popular Island Club and Spa that offers a special incredibly low resident’s member rate, along with the Honolulu Juice Company serving breakfast and healthy snacks like the popular acai bowl, smoothies, and a variety of salads and sandwiches.

Grand lobby with front desk concierge staff and security

All of these extensive amenities are complete with two covered parking stalls side by side and probably the largest inventory of guest parking stalls in the area—making it very convenient to entertain guests or family over the weekends.

Front Desk Concierge Staff at Koolani

Even with all these luxury amenities—I’d say one of the most remarkable values are the “people” who maintain and provide services at this condominium. Coming from the hospitality industry previously to becoming a Realtor, I can honestly attest to the luxury service that is being provided by one of the friendliest staff and management team I have ever had the delight of meeting each and every time I arrive at the Koolani. I have chatted with several residents and have been told numerous times that the best thing about the Koolani is its friendly, attentive staff who make residents feel “well cared for”. Much like the hospitality industry in Hawaii, the luxury condominiums are having to differentiate themselves in order to compete for residents. Beside its beautiful design and numerous amenities, Koolani has mastered this practice of “hookipa,” the Hawaiian art of hospitality, in serving their residents, and treating them like very important and endeared “ohana”—Hawaiian, for family. This “art of hospitality” is one of the remarkable values that sets Koolani apart as a true luxury residential lifestyle experience.

If you’re interested in taking a tour of this beautiful two bedroom condominium at Koolani #2403, or if you would like more information about Koolani and the Kakaako neighborhood, I’d be so honored to assist you! Please contact me, Rose Medina Kemna, Realtor Broker, Hawaii Life at (808)497-7673 or rosemkemna@hawaiilife.com