The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The independently branded Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador became Hawaii's first Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in May 2025, without changing operators.
The independently branded Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador became Hawaii's first Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in May 2025, without changing operators.
The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, as it is now called, is a 368-room property at 2040 Kuhio Avenue, at the gateway to Waikiki, whose roots go back to the 1960s. Highgate, which already ran the hotel under the Romer name, stays in charge, and the property sells through the Hilton Honors program. The renovated interiors lean on mid-century modern lines and a tropical palette, and the exterior was kept to honor the building's heritage.
2040 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu, at the gateway to Waikiki, near the Ala Wai Canal.
Rooms look out toward the Pacific, Diamond Head and the lush mountain ranges behind the city. The hotel runs its own community program around King Kalakaua Park, with regular clean-ups, and offers beach rentals and bike cruisers through Beach Candy Waikiki, which makes getting to the sand and around the district easy without a car.
The concept
Highgate continued operating the property throughout, but shifted it from the independent 'Romer' brand into Hilton's Tapestry Collection: a case of the operator staying the same while the flag changes.
The renovation gave the 1960s building a mid-century modern look with a tropical-inspired palette. A custom lava rock wall in the lobby honors Hawaii's volcanic landscape, and expansive lanais and lounge areas extend the common spaces outdoors. The 368 rooms include two-bedroom suites and what the hotel bills as Waikiki's only lofted bunk-bed rooms, aimed at families and groups. Rooms have private lanais with floor-to-ceiling sliders, decor, textures and shades drawn from the landscape of Oahu.
The pool deck is the Waikiki Swim & Social Club, a retro-styled pool and cabana area serving tropical drinks and locally inspired bites, with weekly poolside pilates classes. A fully equipped fitness center completes the amenities.
Dining & wellness
The main venue is Favorite Son, an indoor-outdoor dining room serving comfort food with island flair: gourmet sandwiches, deep-dish-style square pizzas and fresh salads. A daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. brings craft cocktails and live local entertainment.
The Waikiki Swim & Social Club adds a poolside menu of tropical beverages and locally inspired bites, so the hotel covers a casual meal at any hour without a formal restaurant.
News
August 13, 2025: Hilton and Highgate announced that the former Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador is now The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the first Tapestry Collection hotel in Hawaii. The 368-room hotel, founded in the 1960s, was renovated in a mid-century modern style with a custom lava rock wall in the lobby, two-bedroom suites and lofted bunk-bed rooms. Favorite Son serves the food, the Waikiki Swim & Social Club runs the pool deck, and launch offers included rates from $159, a 25 percent Hawaii resident discount and 20 percent off four-night stays. General manager Brandon Kaya said the team is proud to be the first in the state to join the brand.
