Halekulani Hotel — Hotel in Honolulu

No property in Honolulu (or, for that matter, in Oahu) will provide a serene and relaxed experience - you're in the middle of a real city, and although the main drawback is the hordes of tourists and locals in the area, you do get convenience and action in a place that's always warm and comfortable, if that's what you're looking for. Given those limitations, Halekulani does a good job of providing comfortable accommodations and warm service in a very good location.||The other thing to keep in mind. There really aren't any top-tier luxury hotels that are right in front of Waikiki - it doesn't exist. In Halekulani's case, you'll have to exit the hotel and walk for 5-10 minutes to get there. On-site, there is a (very) small "beach" reserved for hotel guests, but I'd definitely skip it. It's tiny and crowded, and not my idea of relaxed fun.||Hotel staff are excellent; they really go out of their way to ensure a memorable stay. It appears that many of the employees are long timers, and it shows in their professionalism and pride. Everyone from the front desk to maintenance to the wait staff were first-rate from our experience. Given this was our third stay in the past 4 months, I can say with authority that service has been consistently excellent.||The Diamond Head Suite, though pricey (what isn't these day?), was nice. The hotel overall has a "grand dame" charm about it and has aged gracefully. However, there are some limitations in the design that probably wouldn't exist if there was a do-over. For instance, for a top-level suite to have a door open up to plain views of the entire living area is a dead giveaway that this is not a modern build. Newer properties would have a hallway that then leads to the living space. Not a huge show stopper, but people used to uncompromising accommodations will notice the difference.||This is partially made up for by the Diamond Head views of the suite - very few properties (and rooms at Halekulani, for that matter) provide such a view, and we can see why they charge so much for it. We've stayed in a similar suite but without the view, and it's roughly half the price. Whether it's good value or not will depend on your priorities.||Breakfast is solid for a large, upmarket hotel - The House Without a Key is the main breakfast spot, although Orchids is also a (slightly) higher-end open that also offers brunch on weekends. Dinner is the same - one is for families who like big spreads, whereas Orchids becomes a white linen affair with pretty good high-end cuisine.||If you need to stay in Honolulu and want a view and/or be close to the ocean and beach, and prioritize good service and food, Halekulani is a top...

My stay at the Halekulani hotel in beautiful Hawaii was an experience that transcended my expectations. As someone who has enjoyed his fair share of travel over the years, this five-star resort proved to be a gem among gems. Let me regale you with the details of my memorable visit.

From the moment I set foot in the lobby, I was immediately struck by the genuine warmth of the staff. It's a rare and precious thing to encounter such sincere hospitality in today's fast-paced world, and it set the tone for the entirety of my stay. Their attentive service was a testament to the decades of experience this hotel has in catering to the needs of discerning travelers.

Upon check-in, I opted for the floor suite, a luxurious abode that allowed me to step directly out onto the poolside terrace. This walkout suite not only exuded opulence but also offered unparalleled convenience. I can't begin to describe the sheer joy of waking up and being able to take a refreshing morning dip in the pool just steps from my door. It was like having my own private oasis.

The design of the resort is nothing short of genius. The pool area seamlessly flows into the restaurant, creating an immersive experience that tantalizes the senses. Every meal was a revelation of flavors, beautifully presented and expertly crafted. The culinary team's dedication to using fresh, local ingredients shone through in every dish, from the vibrant tropical fruits to the delectable seafood.

Now, let's talk about the private beach. It's one thing to read about it, but to actually experience the powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters is something else entirely. Whether I was basking in the Hawaiian sun, taking a leisurely swim, or simply strolling along the beach as the sun dipped below the horizon, it was a soul-soothing experience like no other.

For those seeking a bit of practical advice, I found that traveling on a Tuesday or during the middle of the week can be a savvy move. You can often secure more favorable rates while still enjoying the consistently sunny and delightful weather that Hawaii offers.

In conclusion, my stay at the Halekulani hotel was a testament to the notion that age need not dim the sense of wonder and adventure in one's heart. It's a place where time-honored traditions of hospitality meet the timeless beauty of Hawaii. If you're seeking an extraordinary getaway, I wholeheartedly recommend indulging in the Halekulani experience. It's an investment in memories that will stay with you for years to come. Also make...

This is a tough review to write as usually a hotel meets my expectations or it doesn’t - this one was a little of both. Since this was our anniversary I wanted something special and all reviews pointed to Halekulani as the best. First let me say that this IS a 5-star hotel. It is beautiful and well maintained with excellent service (except for one hiccup which I will|Point out latter). I booked thru American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts. Since it was our anniversary I wanted the best room available so I paid an extra $400/night for an Ocean Front room. Of the hundreds of hotels I have stayed an ocean front room is just that (ocean front with unencumbered views of the ocean. Not here - the room we got was a partial ocean view in any other hotel in the world. As a matter of fact we had a better view of the building across from us and the roof of the restaurant below than we did the ocean (maybe they should change the room category to roof front room?). I honestly felt cheated. Did t say anything because it was our anniversary and didn’t want to get my wife (or myself upset) over arguing with front desk. But VERY disappointed…The grounds are absolutely beautiful but take off 1/2 star for pool area and seating areas….while the lounge chairs in the pool area are very nice there are ZERO views of the beach from ANY seated area anywhere on the property. They have shrubs that block all views of the beach/ocean and worst of all block the ocean breezes so hot and stuffy. In short when you are sitting in your lounge chair around the pool you could be in Indianapolis, Indiana as far as you knew…..just lounge chairs packed in around a pool. Talking about the pool we chose a couple|Lounge chairs where there seemed to be a breeze but no umbrella (the stand was there but no umbrella). We asked the you lady pool|attendant if she could get an umbrella and she sharply said “NO” then said “none left” - just not 5-star…||Finally, if you are coming to Waikīkī for paradise get ready for drug addicts all over the beaches certainly not the hotel’s fault but I can’t believe that if all the hotels got together and put pressure on the city that they couldn’t get something done. Such a shame….||So executive summary on Halekulani hotel. Beautiful five star hotel that misrepresents their rooms and needs to remember that people come to Hawaii for the beaches and to hide the beaches is...