Inside Look: Halekulani Review

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Jane Sung, Forbes Staff

Forbes Vetted

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In Hawaiian, Halekulani translates to “house befitting heaven”—fitting for the eponymous 453-room Honolulu resort that succeeds in feeling like an intimate home. Originally a residential hotel in the early 1900s, Halekulani has gone through several iterations and owners. Today, it offers elegant, airy spaces, a sophisticated spa and top-notch dining options.

I’ve stayed at the property with my family several times over the years; our most recent trip this fall allowed me to check out the newly revamped SpaHalekulani. The hotel’s polished design, attentive service and seamless blend of classic Hawaiian and modern décor are just a few of the reasons I continue to return. If you’re planning a trip, read my full review below.

Halekulani

Reserve At Booking.com

Who Will Love It: Couples; honeymooners; families seeking a beachfront resort with a variety of excellent dining options

All-Star Amenities: 82-foot pool; three restaurants and a bakery; two cocktail bars; relaxation lounge for guests checking in early; newly revamped SpaHalekulani and salon featuring vibroacoustic therapy and Yume head spa

What Not To Miss: Hawaiian music and hula at House Without A Key, the decadent Sparkling Sunday brunch spread at Orchids; cocktails and live jazz at Lewer’s Lounge

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

All-Star Amenities

Designed in turquoise blue and beachy tones of the hotel’s signature “seven shades of white,” Halekulani fits right into its tropical surroundings. Its oceanfront location makes it easy for guests to alternate between the pool and the beach—with plenty of water activities available, from surf lessons to board rentals. The 82-foot-long pool features the hotel’s emblematic cattleya orchid, crafted from 1.2 million blue glass mosaic tiles. Upon check-in, guests are welcomed with tropical fruit plates and rooms feature Nespresso coffeemakers, electric tea kettles and mini fridges. Daily poolside treats include freshly baked mini muffins and cookies as well as house made mini popsicles in flavors like lilikoi and mango.

The recently renovated SpaHalekulani feels like its own little world, tucked away on the main level of the hotel with an expansive private lanai facing the pool. Therapies remain rooted in the healing traditions of Hawaii; the latest additions include a team of wellness advisors to help tailor custom experiences as well as more treatment rooms, including three new spa suites with amenities like a Japanese furo and a Welnamis vibroacoustic therapy. During my stay, I indulged in an immersive vibroacoustic treatment followed by a soothing Halekulani massage, which featured a traditional Lomilomi massage incorporating heated stones and native maile oil.

Rooms

The hotel’s 453 rooms and suites all come with a balcony or lanai, and many also feature partial or full ocean views with Diamond Head in the distance. Even in entry-level rooms, bathrooms are spacious and immaculate, with deep soaking tubs, SpaHalekulani shower products and Toto washlets.

Our oceanfront room featured sweeping views of the Pacific along with the iconic pool and Waikiki beach—we enjoyed many a splashy sunsets and started off every morning on our large balcony watching surfers paddle out. Closets are well lit and roomy, with sliding doors on both sides to allow access from either the bedroom or bathroom. Service has always been excellent: housekeeping ensures everyone staying in the room—including our little boy—has a robe and set of plush hotel slippers; a cleaning and repair kit is placed next to my reading glasses; turndown always includes a travel-inspired quote along with treats like locally sourced shortbread cookies or an orchid-shaped bookmark. There’s also a handy bedside iPad for everything from accessing room service to requesting your favorite type of pillow.

Food And Beverage

Halekulani’s House Without A Key is beloved as much for its globally-inspired fare and tiki cocktails as it is for the nightly live Hawaiian music and hula performances set with a 137-year-old kiawe tree and the Pacific as a backdrop (reserve the Hemingway table for the complete experience). Menu highlights include the No Ka`Oi Poke bowl, “Joy” crab sandwich and the signature toasted coconut old fashioned.

Orchids serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes and also offers a decadent Sunday champagne brunch (think sashimi, snow crab legs, whole suckling pig, a custom ramen station), as well as afternoon tea. Fine dining restaurant La Mer is the state’s longest consecutively awarded AAA Five Diamond and Forbes 5-star restaurant.

What To Do In The Area

Halekulani’s beachfront property is nestled in central Honolulu, with top restaurants and shops of every kind within walking distance, and buzzy neighborhoods like Chinatown a quick drive away (we never visit the island without a meal at Fete and Nami Kaze). Depending on your plans, you don’t necessarily need to rent a car to get around, as rideshare is available and many sightseeing spots like the Bishop Museum, Diamond Head and Foster Botanical Garden are short distances away. And if you want to rent a car for the day or a part of your stay, local car rental company Akamai Rentals provides convenient complimentary drop-off and pickup from Halekulani.

How To Get There

Halekulani is located on Waikiki beach in Honolulu, Oahu. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).