OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels grew up in Hawaii, but the resort company has moved well beyond “The Rainbow State.” In October, it will open OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort in Thailand, joining three other current OUTRIGGER properties in the country. The Thailand properties are joined by other resorts in Asia Pacific, including resorts in the Maldives, Mauritius and Fiji. Back home in Hawaii, OUTRIGGER recently wrapped a $60-million renovation of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa on the cliffs of Keauhou Bay on the Big Island. At the helm is longtime OUTRIGGER President and CEO Jeff Wagoner, who has steered the company not only through growth and expansion, but through the tragic Maui wildfires of 2023, setting up a relief fund for affected employees. In this Q&A, Wagoner shares the company’s present successes and growth potential, its CapEx binge to improve and reposition properties and the role of experiential travel.
HOTELS: OUTRIGGER continues to expand into iconic beach destinations, with Phi Phi Island in Thailand as the latest addition. What made this the right move and how does it reflect your broader growth strategy?
Wagoner: Phi Phi Island is a globally recognized destination that aligns perfectly with OUTRIGGER’s commitment to premier beach resorts in culturally rich, naturally stunning locations. Our growth strategy is centered on high-demand coastal markets where we can deliver differentiated guest experiences and operate with consistency and scale. OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort is our fourth property in Thailand, a market where we’ve developed strong local expertise and operational infrastructure, anchored by our corporate office in Phuket. The resort is currently undergoing a full renovation to elevate it to a five-star barefoot luxury experience, with reopening planned for October. This expansion underscores our long-term vision to build a leading collection of beach resorts across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
HOTELS: With major renovations taking place across your portfolio, how is OUTRIGGER evolving its resorts to meet the expectations of today’s traveler while staying true to its brand values?
Wagoner: We’ve reimagined nearly our entire portfolio; every property has either been renovated or is in the pipeline for transformation. This marks a new era for OUTRIGGER; one that blends contemporary design and modern comforts with the timeless appeal of our beach resort heritage. Today’s travelers want thoughtful design, seamless connectivity and high-quality food and beverage offerings. A few standout examples: At OUTRIGGER Kā’anapali Beach Resort, we introduced new signature rooms featuring local artwork and added the oceanfront Maui Brewing Co. as a vibrant hub for guests. OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa was fully revitalized, with design inspired by its culturally significant setting as the birthplace of King Kamehameha III. The transformed OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort now includes a stunning beachfront wedding chapel alongside refreshed rooms and programming. And OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Paradise Hotel, our second craft hotel in Waikīkī, draws inspiration from Princess Ka’iulani, blending fresh design with local artistry.
HOTELS: How is OUTRIGGER redefining authentic, place-based experiences across its portfolio?
Wagoner: For OUTRIGGER, authenticity is how we bring each destination to life. We focus on experiences that connect guests to the natural environment, local culture and community in meaningful ways. For example, at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, guests can swim alongside manta rays in their native habitat—an unforgettable, location-specific encounter. In Fiji, Castaway Island supports reef health through hands-on coral regeneration programs. And at OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beachcomber, we’ve partnered with Cirque du Soleil to debut ’Auana, Hawaii’s first resident show, infused with the music, movement and stories of the islands. These experiences not only enrich the guest journey, they also highlight what makes each destination—and OUTRIGGER—distinct.
