Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa has completed a $22 million transformation, its first major renovation to the hotel main lobby and porte-cochere since 2002.

The renovation, which is geared to satisfy technology-driven millennial travelers, encompasses the newly named Nanea Lobby, the porte-cochere, front desk, main ballroom and special-events rooms. These areas feature new interior design and furniture, lighting fixtures and water features.

“Full of light, full of life and full of energy is what sums up the completion of our beautification project,” said Chris Tatum, general manager of the 1,310-room resort. “Every aspect of the transformation was made to keep in mind the next generation of travelers, the millennials. We are adapting to new travel trends. We want to position this property to be at least five years ahead of its time.”

Tatum said the renovation is the property’s first major common-area redesign since Marriott International Inc. purchased the former Hawaiian Regent from Otaka LP in 2000 and re-branded it to the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa. Through the property is now owned by Alpharetta, Ga.-based Atrium Hospitality, it is managed by Marriott International.

Pattie V. Herman, Marriott’s director of sales and marketing, said the company researched travel trends to develop the property’s latest design concept. Through customer feedback the company learned that technology and authenticity were important.

Herman said the redesign seeks to improve guest experience by showcasing Hawaii’s culture and values in a modern way. She said the visual focus of the investment is a 60-by-20-foot carved wooden staircase facing made by artist Kaiwi Nui Yoon of Honolulu. The concept of the artwork called “Ka Maka Hinu,” or “The Bright Face,” is intended to reflect the love that Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, had for the people of her kingdom. It also aims to connect the property, which is on Kalakaua Avenue across from Waikiki Beach on land owned by the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust, to its legacy.

“This hotel is where Queen Liliuokalani’s summer home used to be,” Tatum said. “People want to know that. They want a genuine experience.”

Herman said Hawaiian music will be played in the lobby at major check-in times to provide a more welcoming feel. Drone-captured images of Oahu’s coast will be displayed on media screens. Incorporating the principle of “Travel Brilliantly,” a Marriott corporate campaign designed to improve the guest experience by providing venues for them to meet and engage in discussion, will expand the cordial atmosphere.

“Marriott is good with baby boomers, but we are changing our approach to become more appealing to the millennials, our next generation of travelers,” Herman said. “In our lobby we have private and communal seating similar to (Chinatown restaurants) Livestock Tavern and The Pig and the Lady where people who don’t know each other can meet.”

Free Wi-Fi and large TVs and media screens have turned the lobby into an informational hub, she said. Communal and private seating areas cater to leisure and business travelers, who can also rent out portions of the lobby for private functions.

“I grew up in Hawaii,” Tatum said. “I’m familiar with traditional design and this isn’t it. It’s more what my 22-year-old daughter thinks is neat and relevant. If you look in the lobby, everyone has a laptop. No one seems to want to sit in their room and work.”

Indeed, frequent business traveler Eric Sutter of Ohio was sprawled out with his laptop in one of the new open-air lobby pods Monday.

“It’s so nice to sit outside and work,” Sutter said. “It’s better than being in a cramped hotel room — especially when I came from 30-degree weather.”

Tom Bersson, a Platinum guest who stays at 20 different Marriott properties a year, said Monday that the Waikiki renovations compare favorably across the spectrum.

“I miss the canoe, but the renovations are probably better for business,” said Bersson, who has stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott about seven times. “Marriott is known for catering to the business traveler.”