In Brief: The Laylow Waikiki Hotel has appointed Joey Woofter as Managing Director, signaling a change in property leadership aimed at enhancing operational oversight and guest service in Honolulu.
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Joey Woofter – Image Credit The Laylow Waikiki
The Laylow Waikiki has named Woofter managing director, with responsibility for the hotel’s overall performance, including guest experience, financial results, operations, associate engagement and the development of the hotel’s culture.
A seasoned hospitality leader with more than 15 years of extensive experience across Hawaii and the mainland, Joey brings a wealth of operational expertise, creativity and a passion for people to the role. Throughout his career, Joey has held leadership roles across leading luxury hotel brands, building extensive expertise in rooms operations while contributing to major renovations, openings and transformative hospitality projects. He began his career with Hyatt, gaining experience in front office and housekeeping at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. He then held multiple leadership positions across several brands before joining Turtle Bay Resort, where he played a key role in the resort’s transformation.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to lead a hotel with such a strong sense of identity,” said Joey Woofter, Managing Director of The Laylow Waikiki. “What immediately drew me to The Laylow was its personality, design, and energy. There’s a real sense of character here that sets the hotel apart, and I’m looking forward to working alongside our team to build on that foundation, deepen our connection to Waikiki and create memorable experiences that feel authentic to both our guests and associates.”
As Managing Director, Joey will oversee the hotel’s overall performance, including guest experience, financial results, operations, associate engagement, and the continued development of The Laylow’s unique culture. His focus will extend to supporting the hotel’s team, identifying new opportunities for growth, and ensuring that business decisions remain authentic to the property’s distinct sense of place.
“Hospitality, at its heart, is about people,” Joey said. “I believe leadership is about making consistent deposits into people’s emotional bank accounts. When you listen, follow through, recognize contributions and make people feel valued, you create an environment where teams can thrive and take exceptional care of the business and its guests.”
Born and raised in a small farming town in Nebraska, Joey moved to Hawaii to attend Hawai‘i Pacific University, eventually making the islands home both personally and professionally. Today, he lives in Hawaii with his wife, Jane, their seven-year-old son, Leo, and their dog, Dottie. Outside of the hotel, he enjoys spending time outdoors with family, including golfing, fishing, skateboarding and surfing.