Booked the Hotel Renew for the last part of our honeymoon, after deliberating for ages between that and another hotel for the same price (which had a pool). Despite a couple of unfair negative reviews I decided on the Renew, as it was closer to the beach and had breakfast included.
It's not often I book somewhere without either a pool or a gym, but I'm so glad I did. Having already experienced exceptional levels of service and hospitality at the various places we'd visited so far during our trip, I was super impressed from the outset with the Hotel Renew.
Sarah checked us in, and she welcomed us as warmly as if we were old friends. The check-in process was smooth, and the pineapple juice and cold towel was a nice touch. We even got to choose a reed diffuser scent for our room, which was brought up to us along with a congratulatory bottle of fizzy wine and some chocolates.
The beach is really close to the Hotel Renew, you can literally see it from just outside the front door and it's less than 2 minute's walk. If it weren't for the hotel next door being in the way then the Renew would be a beachfront property.
Other good points about the Renew include a free DVD rental service, with quite a few new releases, which you can play on the Playstation 3 that's in your room! Also, free lending of beach towels, mats and collapsible chairs, and free tea and coffee in the lobby.
The breakfast, while not extensive, was very welcome. We'd spent the last nine days at other places having to go out each morning in search of food, shelling out a fortune, so it was nice to be able to wander downstairs for some fruit, hard boiled eggs and a selection of pastries and muffins.
Our room was clean and very spacious, with a huge, comfortable bed. The shower was pretty good, the blinds keep out the light very well, and the lighting controls next to the bed are convenient.
The WiFi is good too.
Nowhere is perfect, and the Hotel Renew is no exception. Breakfast is served in the bar area, which is just part of the open plan lobby, so it can be difficult to find somewhere to sit. The elevators are quite slow. On check-in we were given a half-price cocktail voucher for the hotel's bar but, despite various drink theme nights being advertised on notices in the elevators, the bar isn't staffed all the time. I get why, because the hotel is small and it doesn't really have a bar scene like you'd typically find in larger places, but we did try to use our vouchers a couple of times and were unsuccessful as there was nobody around. So we settled for a cup of free lobby tea instead.
That's pretty much it for the negatives at the Renew. It's a superb little hotel; excellent value, great location, and the staff really are fantastic. Sarah, in particular, was awesome. With her seemingly unwavering enthusiasm he's probably the friendliest and most helpful hotel employee we've ever encountered.
We absolutely would not hesitate to stay at the Hotel Renew again if we ever find ourselves...
Read moreMy wife and I stayed here for 1 night prior to flying to Kauai for our actual Honeymoon. We were excited to stay here while in Waikiki as the pictures and location looked great. ||||We arrived at the hotel and it was nice to be greeted by someone who opened the door for us (in retrospect, they did that because the doors are locked after 6pm and they saw us getting out of our Uber and every other time we returned to the hotel there was no one at the door). When checking-in, the receptionist wasn't particularly friendly or welcoming, however, I wouldn't say they were rude or mean either - I'd best describe him as someone who was at the end of their shift and just doing the minimum for us which was the opposite of what I'd expect at a hotel. When arriving at our room, we found it to be smaller than what we had expected and it felt pretty cramped, especially for 2 people - I'd imagine for those staying here for their honeymoon or just visiting for a longer period of time, the limits of the room would be felt even more. The bedding looked clean, and the bed had average comfy-ness. There were no outlets around the bed, and not many overall in the whole room. The bathroom had a decent smelling complementary lotion, but otherwise unremarkable. The shower was somewhat dirty with dark marks in the tub, and the water pressure isn't very good. The bathroom was also small so it felt a little cramped in there as well. The curtains in our room also didn't close all the way, so there is a gap that anyone across the hotel could see directly into our room at all times, which left my wife and I uncomfortable. Lastly, there is complementary coffee in the morning in the lobby, between 6am-8am, it wasn't particularly good either, just an FYI for those who might get excited about that. ||||Overall, this was a very subpar experience, given the price you pay for what you get. Personally, I'm not going to be recommending this hotel to anyone - especially for their honeymoon. My opinion is that you're mostly paying for the location which is very close to the beach, but you can get a comparable room for a similar price at a much nicer hotel in an equally good spot if you catch it at the right time. This place is good for someone, or a couple who are looking for just a place to sleep, no frills, does not plan to hang out here outside of...
Read moreMy partner and I, who was pregnant at the time, were initially drawn to Hotel Renew because of its affordable rate, which tends makes people a bit skeptical. However, from the moment we arrived, we were more than impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and excellent service, and all our doubts quickly vanished. This boutique hotel truly offers the perfect balance of comfort and convenience, making it a standout choice in Waikiki.
One of the first things we appreciated was the calm, relaxed vibe of the hotel. As a boutique property, it's a refreshing change from the chaos of larger resorts, providing a peaceful retreat in the heart of Waikiki. The rooms appeared newly renovated and were both stylish and functional. We especially enjoyed the comfortable king-size bed, which made it easy to relax after a long day of exploring, and the mini fridge was a fantastic touch for keeping our drinks cold. The room had everything we needed, and the cleanliness and attention to detail were spot-on.
The front desk team at Hotel Renew truly made our stay memorable. From the moment we checked in, they went out of their way to make us feel welcomed. They provided us with fantastic recommendations for nearby attractions and restaurants, ensuring we made the most of our time in Waikiki. Additionally, they reminded us that the hotel offers beach equipment for guests to borrow, which was a nice touch for a day at the beach.
Another highlight of our stay was the small bar area in the lobby, where I was able to unwind and enjoy a drink after a long day of sightseeing. The hotel also offers valet car service, which was incredibly convenient for us when we wanted to venture outside of Waikiki.
And perhaps the best part of all—Hotel Renew is located just a short walk from the beach! The convenience of being so close to the sand made it easy for us to enjoy the ocean whenever we wanted without any hassle. The location was absolutely perfect, with plenty of nearby restaurants and shops to explore.
Overall, we couldn’t have been more pleased with our stay at Hotel Renew. It's a boutique hotel that offers great value, a relaxing atmosphere, and fantastic service. If you’re looking for a quiet, comfortable retreat close to everything Waikiki has to offer, this is the place to be!...
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