Halekulani

We travel VERY often. This is my favorite hotel that I’ve stayed at thus far. I would even put it above the Ritz that we stayed at in Tuscon. They don’t forget any little detail here. I adore this place!

Attended a wedding earlier this year. The staff was extremely catering and welcoming. We loved the atmosphere. Even though we were in Waikiki, I felt like we were in our own little resort, far away from Waikiki madness. The venue was amazing. Loved the food, arrangement and selection. We also asked about food allergies and they checked and double checked and offered to give my toddler another desert. They went above and beyond. It really makes all the difference when people care that much and show the Aloha spirit, Thank you!

*** Arguably the finest hotel on these islands … so book ‘em. ***
I happened upon Halekulani years ago while I was visiting Waikiki.
I was originally struck by its contemporary architecture, sculptures,
artwork and landscaping so I stopped to enjoy their breakfast buffet.
Buffet is served in House Without a Key restaurant located poolside.
I was hooked.
So I made it point to book a reservation next time that I ret’n to Oahu.
I checked in last week for a 4-​day wknd. Halekulani didn’t disappoint.
It’s located right on the beach so we could walk everywhere in Waikiki.
What I like most about this hotel is their attention to the details like …
fresh fruit and chocolates in room upon check-​in, orchids everywhere,
bidets in the common washrooms, courteous/​polite personnel always.
The only knock that I could find is that the pillows are overly large and
coffee here is weak. Actually I found coffee to be weak everywhere in
Oahu, so perhaps that is just a local preference? Anyhow all of that is
relatively insignificant. Halekulani sets a standard for hotel excellence.
*** It’s all good from room, dining, lounging, poolside to beachside. ***

So worth my time here!
SPACIOUS rooms, comfortable beds, very clean, beautiful view, friendly staff, great food, large cleaning pool.
Nice atmosphere. And good music!

What a great place to stay! Vacation to remember :)
Halekulani is a very welcoming yet posh hotel! Extremely welcoming staff that knew our names when we got of the taxi for check in! We were walked to our room and given a tour which was very personable touch :)
Jr Ocean front suit is directly facing the ocean and is very spacious! They have cute touches like fruit waiting for you and even a bottle of sunscreen :).
Not your typical Honolulu hotel this hotel is very intimate in terms of no rowdy behavior not the topical party crowds here, very family friendly.
The food is incredible .
The concierge here makes thing happen!
Walking distance to everything !
Enjoy!

Halekulani is a smaller, upscale, high-​service hotel that seems to cater to a huge Asian clientele (the hotel is Asian-​owned) as well as those wanting an escape to where almost your every whim is indulged. We’ve stayed here twice over the last two years and each time we are impressed by the accommodations, staff, and attention to detail that sets this property apart from almost all of the others. Almost every room has an ocean view and a balcony large enough for two to dine comfortably if you wish. Rooms are clean, well decorated, and a cocoon from outside sounds unless you want to leave your balcony doors open so that you can hear the ocean lapping against the shore (we did). The hotel restaurants prepare some of the best dishes we’ve had. The pool is large and there are plenty of places to sit. The location is perfect, within easy walking distance to some of the best shopping and dining in Honolulu.

This place was top notch. We stayed here for three nights on the second leg of our honeymoon and loved it. This was my wife’s favorite hotel in Hawaii. The service is impeccable; everyday when we returned to the room from the pool we found little surprises waiting for us (fruit, chocolates, champagne, even a reading light). We booked an ocean front room and it was totally worth it, we were on a high floor with an awesome view of the pool, beach, and ocean right in front of us. Reminded me of the ocean tower at Eden Roc in Miami Beach. Room was just the perfect size for two people. Japanese style bathroom was great, and this resort featured Asian influences all over. Gym was good enough to get by, pool was great and warm, and certain poolside lounge chairs had great views of diamond head. This hotel is in Waikiki, but does not have its own beach. Many of the other hotels on Waikiki beach are set back a bit more, and you would have your own beach area with these others. However, the waves wash right up against the fencing/​boundary of halekulani, making you feel as if you’re in the ocean. See separate reviews for restaurants and bars at the resort. Resort is compact, but not claustrophobic. Also, waking distance to a ton of shopping, restaurants, bars, and other nightlife. One day we even took at 20 minute trolley ride to diamond head. Poolside food and drink service from house without a key was great too. Beach access to Waikiki beach is easy through a back gate. Be warned, tide can be very strong, be careful what time you travel along the beach. We also did a sunset fireworks cruise, which the hotel concierge set up, as well as a golf trip to ko’olau. No need to rent a car here, plenty within waking distance, all sorts of other transportation available, and close to the airport.

I really cannot add anything more that hasn’t already been written.
Just stay here — you won’t be disappointed!

I got married here 6 months ago and it was an amazing experience. The Halekulani is known for their top notch service and attention to detail. Everything I asked for, I received. I was fortunate enough to work with Joel who was extremely responsive, even on his days off. He was willing to adjust the quantities and customized menus just for my small wedding. My guests all raved about the good food, the huge portions, and the beautiful hotel grounds. It truly was the wedding of my dreams with an amazing backdrop! I was smart enough to have my wedding cake be the famous Halekulani coconut cake! I brought the top layer home to CA but instead of freezing it, I ended up eating it with my husband!
The hotel grounds itself is simply beautiful and serene. Our suite was a bit small but had amazing views and luxurious. You truly get what you pay for staying at the Halekulani. The nightly hula dancer and Hawaiian music is something I can’t get enough of. My new favorite past time in Waikiki? Watching the sunset while drinking the famous Mai Tai’s at the Halekulani while listening to the live Hawaiian music with the waves crashing in the background. You truly are in paradise!

had the honor of attending my cousin’s wedding at the halekulani.
thoughts:
1) ceremony: happened in the hotel center courtyard. for some reason the hotel limits 40 chairs max for the ceremony so many of us had to watch the ceremony standing… it also got a little awkward when hotel guests watched the ceremony from their balcony. there wasn’t a pa system or anything, so we really couldn’t hear what the minister, bride, and groom were saying half the time. i can’t imagine having microphones because i’m sure it would just echo throughout the courtyard… maybe there’s another option to be on the beach but there was another couple getting married so maybe that couple got the beach ceremony. i feel like beach ceremony would be much more appropriate.
2) cocktail hour: the staff made some serious delicious cocktails! and the food were really great. definitely lived up to 5-​star standards.
3) reception: i felt like the ballroom was a little bare and not as elegant as i had imagined it to be. i loved the high ceiling but the room was this tan color and really requires a lot of decoration to liven it up. thought it was weird that there was only 1 bathroom on the same floor as the ballroom.
4) food: my cousin opted for a buffet for reception and the food was great! everyone seemed to have enjoyed the food as well.
not sure what the overall cost of the wedding was… but i feel like the hotel staff weren’t exactly hands on. but overall, a beautiful option for wedding.

Stayed here for one night for a special occasion and had a great experience. We got upgraded from a regular ocean view room to an ocean view suite and the views were amazing. Imagine sleeping to the sounds of the ocean and waking up and seeing it right in front of your face. Awesome. I also loved the bathroom with good sized tub and stand up shower and also the fact that the décor wasn’t too «touristy.»
If I had any gripes at all, I may have to say that they nickel and dime here and there as they charged me for rose petals and champagne in the room, where other high end hotels have comped these sort of these things for me in the past. But then again, they did upgrade me to the ocean view suite so I guess I can’t complain. Room service food was mediocre and overpriced (expected) but that’s a minor gripe as well.
But service was excellent from the valet to check in and check out as they tried to be as accommodating as possible and everyone had a smile and aloha spirit.
Definitely worth a staycation if you feel like splurging.

Halekulani is absolutely my favourite hotel! What a magical experience to be able to stay at this hotel twice (and I plan to come back each time I’m in Honolulu). Amazing hotel that truly gives off the Hawaiian ALOHA spirit. Like other Unilocalers have described, Halekulani is really the true definition of a five-​star hotel. Love how the hotel is so quaint and peaceful compared to all the other hotels around the area. Though, while there is no direct beach in front of the hotel (which I liked better), it is just steps away to access other parts of the waikiki beach.
First off, the staff here are super friendly and kind. They will go out of your way to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. You really feel like you’re on cloud 9 here. From start to finish, their attention to detail is impeccable. For example, when you check-​in, they don’t just hand you your room key, they have a staff member personally bring you to your room and show you the functions within the room. And they also have a hospitality room where there are complimentary drinks (tea, water, coffee, fruits etc.) and a place for you to shower and lounge and use computers for late check-​out/​early check-​in.
On our second visit, we had the pleasure of staying in the Diamond Head Ocean Suite and the view was so beautiful, so calm, just breathtaking!!! So bless to be able to wake up to such an amazing view. The suite was super spacious and had two balconies. Loved sitting out there every morning & night just hearing the waves crash.
Anyways, the room is equipped with literally anything you need — any tolietres that you can think of from bathsalts to sewing kit to shoe polish kit, laundry detergent, mouthwash, slippers etc. along with all the regular items. Also complimentary shoe shine service. Newspaper delivered to you every morning. ICE already filled in the bucket when you check-​in. Complimentary bottled waters (you can keep asking for more), a WHOLE BOTTLE OF ORGANIC SUNBLOCK (Yes, I took that home), and a welcome fruit tray and chocolates. And if you need anything (ie nail clippers), call housekeeping and they will bring it up.
And in-​room dining isn’t just any room service, they bring up everything you need (Even a table cloth) as if you are at a restaurant.
Also the pool area is great and very relaxing. Water stations at the pool along with a huge sunblock dispenser. And yes, there may be some kids around the pool that splash around, but generally this hotel does not draw the rowdy type of crew where you get squished in the pool. However, the only draw back is that the pool ends at like 7pm? I guess they try to keep things classy here.
A wonderful tranquil experience. can’t wait to stay here again, that is when we saved up enough lol.

The true definition of a five-​star hotel.
My husband surprised me with a three-​night stay here for Valentine’s Day weekend and I don’t think he could’ve selected a better hotel!
We’ve stayed in many a hotel together over the years but I’d say almost all pale in comparison to the Halekulani.
Our junior suite was beautiful and came stocked with anything and everything you could ever realize you need while away from home. From nail files, to q-​tips, to mouth wash, to slippers, to bottles of water, to sunblock, to chocolates and fresh fruit. All of it is complimentary and included in your stay.
If you need something that’s not in your room, just call the front desk. We realized we could really use a microwave for our bottle sterilizer and guess what? The next thing you know we had one all set up in our room. Later that day my husband needed ice. Guess what? They bring that to your door here.
The valet guys are so accommodating and full of aloha spirit. Whenever they saw us coming with the stroller they would literally take over and carry the entire stroller down the steps. (There is a ramp if you need one)
The property itself is beautiful and as «on the water» as it gets. There’s a great pool with dozens of chairs to relax on, a spa, and several really lovely seating areas.
I can’t rave about this place enough. I am so pleased with our experience here and I can’t wait to go back.
Even as we were leaving… the gentleman at valet gave us a bag full of water bottles after my husband mentioned he could use *one* bottle of water for the ride home.
From start to finish… a five-​star worthy experience.

So disappointing! Rooms are small, beds are not true king size, beach is nonexistent. I repeat – there is no beach at «Halekulani on the beach.» The resort’s marketing is highly misleading in this regard. Perhaps there once was a beach here, but due to either duplicitous marketing or rising sea levels, there isn’t one now.
Japanese wedding parties are constantly coming and going (white limos creating gridlock in driveway). Carpeting in hallways is worn, elevators are dingy, and the lone pool allows children in diapers. Toddlers and babies are an annoyance at the pool area, and there is no bar at the resort except a remote, windowless (but pleasant) room that was closed for a private function on the Saturday night we were there. If you are lucky enough to find the bar open, be sure to wear your Sunday best because Halekulani requires «evening attire» (aka dress shirt, long pants, dress shoes) at the only place on property where you can grab a beer in the evening.
Compared to top resorts on Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Halekulani doesn’t come close. While the employees are professional and courteous, there is no Aloha spirit to be found. I like a quiet, even sedate, holiday resort. Halekulani is simply a bore.

This is what a Hawaiian getaway is truly like. If you stay here, you will forget that you’re in one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world. The staff does an excellent job creating such a peaceful and serene environment throughout the hotel, from the courtyards, to the dining areas, to your room.
While the double queen room I stayed in felt a bit small, the bathroom was beautifully decorated, and the housekeeping staff was extremely accommodating to any requests we made. Our room’s lanai had just a partial view of the ocean, but we still felt like we were a world away from all the hustle and bustle below in Waikiki.
The valet guys are super cool, too. A few times, they offered us bottles of water while we waited for our car. They also helped us put our daughter’s stroller into the back of my Volvo. Speaking of my car, she’s a bit older and has seen her fair share of parking lot dings — I never once felt like the valet guys were judging us based on my car, which is so refreshing. They were truly very respectful and polite!

I had the pleasure of having my wedding ceremony and reception done at the Halekulani couple months back and I could not be more satisfied with the venue.
Due to the large destination wedding industry in Hawaii those of us that live in Hawaii are blessed with myriad of options when choosing to get hitched at home. But this also means a lot of competition (date selection wise) since visitors are after booking the prime dates. So communication from the venue representatives become extra vital since you are racing against time and no other venue that we got in touch with did that better than Halekulani.
We were lucky to have Loren as our representative. She was amazingly quick with her responses and was very insightful. We had so many questions since this was our first wedding and Loren was able to provide us with all the answers almost instantly, allowing us to choose the dates and venue options in a timely manner which allowed us to book the perfect package on a perfect day. I think she even kept the Hurricanes away for us since the weather was perfect on our wedding day despite multiple systems affecting the islands that week.
Our venue choice was the Hau terrace since we liked how it was somewhat secluded by being on the second floor overlooking the beaches. The view was great, ceremony setup were great, all the staff were great and of course the food was just to die for. Halekulani offers free tasting of entrees for the couple so it doesn’t even have to be a wild guess when you choose your menu items. The bar items were also very reasonably priced. We were surprised by how low the bar tab was when the day was done since the parent’s table alone consumed ungodly amount of booze that day. The food portions were also very generous. They didn’t skimp on both quality or quantity it seems.
Being one of the premier choices in Waikiki (we don’t have too many 5 star hotels) other wedding vendors will also be extremely familiar with the hotel, making the whole process even easier since the flower people will know exactly where the flowers should go, minister will know exactly how the program should flow and so on. I don’t think there was any hiccup during our wedding day and I attribute that to how professional and smooth everyone involved was.
We didn’t want to rush being transported around on our day so we stayed at Halekulani for two nights. While we haven’t stayed in too many suites at hotels I can confidently say that the room they gave us was perhaps the best hotel room we ever stayed at in our lifetimes. The balcony overlooking the ocean and diamond head was breathtaking. The furnishings were a perfect match with each other and we had plenty room for makeup and hair people. Even the amenities like the huge bathtub and the bath salt they provided were wonderful. Our only regret was that we didn’t stay an extra day since we were too busy to truly enjoy the room while setting up for the wedding.
All in all Halekulani is truly a 5 star establishment that offers friendly services like your auntie and uncle shops. Nobody gave us any attitude and we didn’t feel any condescending nuances from the staff which we experience quite a bit from high end hotels. Even our guests felt the same way and everyone loved the venue and staff. Even the ever so critical parents were satisfied! If it wasn’t clear from my wall of text I will reiterate, I really recommend this hotel.

Such a beautiful hotel with the best service on the island.
Former Miss Hawaiis provide the entertainment at their outdoor restaurant called House Without a Key.
The grounds are lovely.
There is an unnamed exclusivity to the place.

What a beyond lovely hotel. The grounds are clean and kept up. The hotel is clean and has a very «private» feel to it. Despite accommodating a lot of people it didn’t feel like a circus and was very peaceful and relaxing like you would expect a Hawaiian hotel of this quality to be.
Hotel: 5 stars. As I mentioned above it was clean and not busy. The rooms are great. We had a beautiful view of the ocean & the place met all our needs. Bathroom was lovely as well, could have had a bigger shower but all in all it was great. Our beds were turned down for us every night and the service was fantastic, very polite and professional.
Shops: 5 stars. The shops located inside the hotel were amazing, something that’s really lacked at other hotels I’ve stayed in. Their basic brand store was my favorite, everything was reasonably priced and their logo OMG I can not get enough of their beautiful Orchid logo. I wanted to buy everything in there! Also the jewelry shops next door were fantastic.
Food: dining 5 stars all the way! Every meal and restaurant on the premises had a view of the ocean, fantastic service, and delicious food. You get a very nice meal with the most incredible view.
This hotel is how Hawaii should be done. You feel like a celebrity throughout your whole stay. Relaxing and beautiful just what you need while on Vacation.

The past three years we have been staying at the Halekulani Hotel for a Waikiki Staycation to celebrate the 4^th of July weekend. Their exceptional service from check in to check out has made our stays remarkable and memorable.
Guest rooms at the Halekulani range from more than 500 to 720 square feet and are categorized by view. They are equipped with a separate glassed-​in shower, spacious deep soak tub bath, a sitting area, and a full lanai to offer separate areas to relax during the day. One of the things we loved the most about our room was the automatic light in the closet where we stored our luggage. It’s such a simple thing, but these thoughtful amenities really set this hotel apart from the rest.
Previously, we had stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but it was just too crowded around the holiday and when it came to pool time, we couldn’t even find a pool chair. Of course the Halekulani is a whole class level above and I do feel sometimes it is not as kid-​friendly as other hotels.
While they do have plenty of amenities for the kids like kid-​sized bathrobes and toys to keep them busy at the restaurants, as a parent I worried that the older vacationing couple would complain to the staff that my child was a little too noisy at the pool as I had witnessed happening to another family. Or one of the pool staff will try to politely tell you to supervise your child because he doesn’t seem like a good swimmer to him. I admit I wasn’t watching my kids at that moment and I shouldn’t rely on my older child just because they are playing together, but I did not like that he made that assumption just because my kid likes to cruise by the stairs. But aside from that, I like that the pool is heated and there is convenient access to the beach.
During our stay, we also took advantage of the fitness room and hospitality room which offers its guests a place to shower and change. The hotel is conveniently located near Beachwalk which puts you within walking distance to some of Honolulu’s best restaurants. Of course, our stay would not be complete without Sunday brunch at our all time favorite, Orchids or afternoon tea on the Veranda.

Lovely, lovely hotel. Recommended.
Friendly, understated service. Well-​kept rooms and grounds. Quiet pool with attentive service (and yeah WiFi, that was handy on this particular solo trip). No nickel-​and-​diming for amenities like wifi and parking. Very Aloha.
As a trivia the small beach right in front of the hotel rests on a freshwater spring (which is, in fact, what Waikiki means), and that seems responsible for the extended sandy bottom. If the water seems less salty, though, I must’ve imagined it.

I’ve attended a wedding at this gorgeous venue. It deserves it’s stars for amazing service, great view and location, and delicious food.
The bride hardly had to worry for this destination wedding. The hotel took care of most of the details without a hitch.
The hotel brought up complimentary fruit baskets, and set up the bed with heart shaped rose petals on the wedding night.
There were plenty of places for hotel guests to hang out, such as by the pool, where the hotel is sure to cover your lounge chairs and bring you your towels. There is plenty of seating. It is a short walk away from their private beach, as well.
The view was gorgeous for photos. The bride and groom got married on Hau Terrace, which overlooks the ocean.
The food was divine. The wedding cake was among the best I’ve tasted. It was a Coconut Cake, but it was so light, and delicately sweet.

This hotel is amazing! First off the service is outstanding!
You get complementary waters your entire stay so there’s no need to worry about that!
They also greeted us upon check in with fruit and a cheese platter!
The hotel offers a turn down service so when you come back to your room at night it’s all ready for you To go to sleep.
The pool is right by the beach and it’s GORGEOUS! The loungers are comfortable and the drinks are delicious.