The Laylow Waikiki, a midcentury modern boutique hotel in the heart of Waikiki, is proud to announce the appointment of Joey Woofter as Managing Director.
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.
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.
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.
