There's a feeling of Zen as one steps through the doors of Hotel Renew, a relatively new boutique hotel in Waikiki.

Though it may be easy to miss, with its nine stories tucked between much taller neighbors, Hotel Renew has made a name for itself.

It has been listed as the No. 1 hotel in Honolulu on TripAdvisor for more than a year.

As of August, Hotel Renew, which was formerly managed by Aqua Hotels & Resorts, also decided to go independent.

It is now managed by the Unique Boutique Hospitality Group LLC, and is a member of Luxe Worldwide Hotels, which represents independently owned and operated hotels around the globe.

The building's ownership under Z Tower, made up of both local and mainland investors, remains the same.

Hotel Renew's general manager Dan Howery said the decision was part of an effort to change the property's business model. He considers the property part of the new and emerging “;lifestyle hotel market,”; which targets travelers looking for an upscale experience without going to a large resort.

He puts Hotel Renew in the same category as the W Honolulu at Diamond Head or The Ambrose in Santa Monica, Calif.

The 72-room hotel as of last week was undergoing an additional $6.3 million in renovations to complete the $4 million makeover of what was the former Ocean Tower Hotel.

The new Hotel Renew now includes a Lounge Renew, brand-new elevators and front entrance.

Instead of floral bedspreads or tiki torches, the hotel's design aesthetic is more modern, with clean lines and an understated island feel. San Francisco-based designer Jiun Ho takes his inspiration from the natural elements, using a palette of dark, earth tones accentuated by bursts of red and orange.

The rooms are outfitted with Sealy pillowtop beds, flat-screen HDTVs or 80-inch projection TVs, and dimmable lights, in addition to free Wi-Fi.

Rooms range from $305 to $370 a night, depending on the view. With a current promotion, rooms start at $185 per night.

When times are tough

Occupancy at the hotel now ranges between the high 60s and low 70s, in terms of percentage, according to Howery, who acknowledges that times are tough as visitor numbers decline.

As a smaller hotel without luxury amenities like a rock waterfall swimming pool, Jacuzzi or spa, Hotel Renew remains competitive by offering more personalized services, said Howery.

Extras at the hotel include a complimentary continental breakfast, free local phone calls and newspapers, as well as free beach equipment rentals.

Plus Hotel Renew is a dog-friendly hotel for pooches 20 pounds and under, for an additional fee and security deposit.

It's also smoke-free. But parking is a bit of a challenge - there isn't much of it at the hotel. However, valet parking is available for $20 a day.

Hotel Renew is also targeting the socially responsible traveler, said Howery, which is a growing trend.

The hotel, which calls itself “;eco-friendly,”; offers recycling receptacles in every room, uses compact fluorescents where possible, and plans to switch to green, nontoxic cleaning products by the end of November.