RELEASE NUMBER 52 | 26
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HONOLULU – OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa has earned a Silver Award in the 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards in the category of Hospitality Elements – Upscale (Four-Star), Lobby/Common Space Design. The award recognizes the resort’s 2026 lobby transformation and grand reopening, reimagining arrival as a connection to Kaua‘i.
Developed by interior design firm 11FN in collaboration with OUTRIGGER’s creative team, the redesign reflects the company’s five brand pillars: renowned beach location, must-see beach bar, authentic live music, signature experiences and commitment to conservation.
The design brings the outdoors in with ocean-facing social spaces, natural materials and local art that tell the story of Kaua‘i. The lobby bar, once dark and inward-facing, now opens toward the ocean, gardens and pool.
“We wanted guests to feel Kaua‘i from the moment they arrive, so we opened the lobby to the ocean and filled it with the work of Hawai‘i artists,” said Chris San Nicolas, General Manager at OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa. “This recognition belongs to our hosts and to everyone who helped bring this space to life.”
Eight Hawai‘i artists were commissioned to bring the island’s culture and environment into the guest experience. Highlights include “Passage” by Dane & Sara Nishikawa at the Bell Desk, “Floating Lei” by Noah Harders at the Front Desk and “Na Moku Ho‘omau” by Allegra Scribner, which transforms marine debris collected from Kaua‘i’s shores into an artistic representation of the Hawaiian Islands. Guests can also participate in conservation by collecting marine debris for recycling and joining artist-led experiences that turn recovered materials into art.
The experience extends from the lobby to Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi, the resort’s culinary centerpiece, featuring ingredients sourced from Kaua‘i farmers, ranchers and fishermen. Live Hawaiian music at the lobby bar, framed by lush gardens, invites guests to gather and experience the rhythm of the island.
OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa participates in OUTRIGGER DISCOVERY, the award-winning loyalty program of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. The program’s 38 million members enjoy recognition, rewards and exclusive experiences across 1,000 hotels from 60 brands in 100 countries. They can also earn and redeem DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), with D$1 equal to USD 1, on eligible stays, dining and experiences.
The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize excellence in travel industry design, marketing and service. Entries are evaluated by a panel of travel professionals against a standard of industry excellence.
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