Halekulani
- Price Range: $$$$
29 Reviews for Halekulani
My friend was suppose to get married here. We toured the hotel and had food tasting here.
Wedding food: off the hook
Hotel: very nice
Price: priced up
I generally dont like staying in waikiki, but HOLY GOOD GRAVY... The Halekulani is the BEST HOTEL in honolulu. Service is impecable... they don's miss a thing. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Rooms are so comfortable. I could stay a week if i could afford it. Attended a wedding here last year, and it was VERY good....not quite amazing, but top notch.
You will be spoiled if you come here first. Visit other hotels first, THEN come to the Halekulani.
Its a shame we can't go this year...... :o(
Oh yeah...take care of the valet guys...they do an awesome job.
A few summers ago, I spent 2 months at this hotel running a seasonal children's program. Before the program started, I had been in a lot of other hotels doing something similar. I thought that the staff at the Halekulani was the friendliest, most helpful, and just overall most awesome out of all the hotels I had been in.
Everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy working there, which definitely affects the whole 'vibe' of the place. The valet guys, front desk peeps, hotel operators, managers, the pastry chefs, even security....everyone was cool!
My favorite memory involves a security guard who came bamboo pole fishing with us once. A big wave washed over part of the jetty, leaving him with wet pant legs and soggy shoes and socks. He squished and squashed his way back to the hotel with us. All with a smile on his face, while chatting with us and making us laugh. Now THAT'S impeccable service!
For those two months, I got to indulge in room service 4 times a week and a lunch at House Withouth a Key once a week. It was heaven, pure heaven! And on those days we didn't have kids, we ate with the hotel employees in their cafeteria. I just gotta say, Halekulani employees eat VERY well.....
It's a pricey place to stay but I think it's definitely a worthwhile splurge!
One thing to note, as a guest of the hotel, you get perks like free admission to several museums and the Honolulu Symphony. =)
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Wonderful and elegant hotel. Wonderful beach and hotel. Save up for this place, but you will enjoy it.
Just 2 things, I disagree with one of the reviewers and as a bartender but the mai tai's are weak. That stated, I noticed that there service elevator was out and they decided all the staff with the carts to go up with the guests. Very over crowded and annoying either wait or use one elvator desinated for all the employees. Other then that, great place. I will return!
Wonderful Hotel - great room, terrific location, kind and truly Hawaiian Friendly staff. I would stay here again when on Oahu...but a bit pricey yeah?
We went to a very posh wedding here. The food was buffet style it was excellent. The hall was a little plain so the wedding flowers had to work overtime. We had a great time at the wedding I would highly recommend this place for anyone that wants to get married in Oahu in style this is the place. Did a forget to mention how good the food was for a buffet.? It's good food.
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I LOVE the Halekulani.
I got married here, and they treated me like a Princess. Everyone knew my name, everyone did their best to make me feel pampered and catered to and I loved every minute of it. I only wish I had more time to enjoy it!
My wedding suite was absolutely beautiful, plush and the view of Diamond Head (off of my wrap around balcony) was TO DIE FOR.
The staff was spot on with every detail and I couldn't have been happier. Janet (my wedding coordinator contact) and Oscar (the banquet manager) were awesome in every way.
This is a very expensive hotel, but believe me, it is worth every penny you spend. The Halekulani rocks!
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I am so glad that my husband has a Hawaiian driver's license so that we can stay there with the Ka'amaina discount. We first stayed there about six weeks after it opened. Then, all we could afford was a garden view room, but the atmosphere and hospitality made the expense worth it. Now having stayed there dozens of times, we like the xx41 rooms. They are the last balconies before the suites facing the entertainment stage. There is nothing better than sitting out on your balcony at sunset and listening to the wonderful Hawaiian music. Even better is being there on a Wednesday night. That is when they have the Manager's reception where their food staff plies you with pupus (better than ANYTHING you could buy at most restaurants) and drinks. I know I might have slightly spoiled my dinner, but I couldn't resist another Kalua Pig/Maui Onion quiche. My husband went for the ahi poke filled tomatoes and the terrific goat cheese. Yes, the furniture is not modern and sharp, but the entire hotel is immaculate and the staff is the best in the business. Out of dozens of wonderful hotels we have stayed at, this is our second favorite. Our favorite? It's in Paris, and serves a mini creme brulee at breakfast, so that might be something that just edges it over the top. But if you would rather have terrific pineapple and fluffy popovers, the Halekulani breakfast buffet might make this your all time favorite hotel.
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its pretty and all but last time i was there it was going down hill. decided to stay at the Royal Hawaiian. Which is beautiful
If you're like most of us and can't afford a room here without selling off two years' future earnings, go for the breakfast. Simple, elegant, and a perfect setting (with nice ocean views and, I swear, the most beautiful women in all of Hawaii having breakfast right there in front of you).
Oh, the food... They offer menu service, but just take the Buffet. Great selection of fruits, breads and pastries, and typical breakfast items (and some not so typical, like all that weird looking stuff the Japanese eat for breakfast). I recommend the Belgian Waffles even though they are kept in a covered chafing dish and lack the crispiness we always ask for when ordering them. Just slather them in the soft butter and heated maple syrup provided. The bacon could be a tad crispier, but the sausages are good, good, good, like Jimmy Dean good! Then there's Henry and his omelets. You will want to take Henry home. I've never had a better omelet, and I love his smile when he asks me if I want cheese, and I say, "On one of your omelets? You must be kidding!" He will do an egg white omelet for you, and I saw one that actually looked edible. But really think long and hard on that choice. I mean, you're on vacation, and I've heard on good authority somewhere that *excess* cholesterol works as a terrific sun block.
Go early or you'll have to wait a bit (but that's softened by their providing all the Kona blend coffee you can drink, and you can hang by the pool or maybe watch a wedding reception in the courtyard). If after you're seated and you need serious coffee, ask for their French Press Kona (caution: they charge extra, $15 for two teeth-darkening cups' worth, but it's great, albeit expensive, coffee).
Okay people, if in the morning, you find yourself hungry on Waikiki Beach, don't punt and go to Denny's. Just look right across the street. The Halekulani and a scrumptious breakfast beckons. (Distant second can be found at the Westin Moana Surfrider.)
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Stayed at this hotel about 4 times and loved each and every minute of this awesome place. 1st class rooms, service, food, accomodations, etc. Ocean front rooms are the best in class! Orchid, La Mer, Room without a key...great places to eat, relax and enjoy Hawaii's best. Very pricey, but oh so worth this experience.
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The BEST MAI TAI on Oahu!!!
Yes, you will find it at "The House Without a Key" and if you have to ask why they named it that...go before you had too many Mai Tai's.
I have not stayed at the hotel yet, I will soon enough, after i find myself struggling after one too many Mai Tai's and looking for a room to crash.
This review is for the restaurant "House Without a Key." This place is classic Hawaii. The band that plays at night is great. Classic Hawaiian music. What I like best about the palce is the great Mai Tai's. You can check for yourself, but by my standards, which i like to think are pretty high, they are the best!
Yes, i have been around the world and have had Mai Tai's from many lands. At least I thought I did. Some of the drinks looked any thing other than a Mai Tai. Unfortunately, the worst Mai Tai I had was in San Diego at a bar I will leave un-named.
Anyway, this review is for the Halekulani bar. The music is magical and the drinks are just as good. They also give you Maui chips too. I had some pupus there too. Yummy.
As for Cynthia A. review, Hawaii is not a stuck-up, nose in the air, type of place. I have been to places like that in California and New York, and they really don't do anything for me. I like the casual and friendly sort of places.
I don't know, i guess I am that rebel you see at a five star hotel's bar sitting in board shorts, t-shirt and slippas drinking my $14 martinis. I did it at many hotels.
Oh, you have to try the Red Trolly at the Fairmont in San Francisco...I guess I will make a review on that later.
Now, as for the Mai Tai, it is your Trader Vics quality. Crushed ice, light and dark rums, orange curaco, simple syrup, spring of mint and a stick of sugar cane.
YUMMY!!!
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I love! They honestly hire the nicest, friendliest, happiest people on the face of the planet to work here.
We stayed in an ocean-front room for our anniversary and at check-in, they whisk you immediately to your room, show you the amenities, offer you fruit and chocolate, and take care of billing in your room!
The bathroom is enormous! With a shower and soaking tub, and mirrored doors that slide away to reveal the closet, which is also accessible from the room. There's also the plushest, softest bath mat covering the floor. Complimentary bath salts!
At turndown service every night, they left little gifts with a notecard! YES, THAT'S RIGHT FREE THINGS FOR YOU.
At breakfast room service, they came with a toaster so you can toast your English muffin to your satisfaction!
On your nightstand, there's a master control panel to control the lights, A/C, and to call room service! You can loll around like an invalid!
At the spa, they include a free foot-beating with coconut tree sticks! (This sounds awful, but is actually wonderful.)
They offer B-list celebrities to dine one table over! Jeremy Piven was ordering a sandwich or something one table over!
Exclamation point!
Truly fabulous.
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This was the best experience i have had in a hotel. i stayed with some friends in the Vera Wang suite and the views are very nice. they had an assortment of fresh fruits, top shelf beverages and an assortment of fine treats to munch on. if you are going to spend top dollar on a special night this is the spot! i also stayed in the diamond head suite at the W, this was my second best hotel experience. Finally the night before this we stayed at the Kamehameha suite at the Royal Hawaiian and that was great also.
Anyways if i had to spend the money for a special night, i would here! its well worth it, and the best choice!
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Returned to the Halekulani last week with my wife and kids after being away for 20 years. Back then, my wife-to-be and I would hang out on the patio to drink mai tais, eat Maui chips, and watch the lovely Kanoe do the hula at sunset. By far the BEST place to be in Waikiki as the sun is setting -- simply sublime. Management has exerted more control over the patio than there was 20 years ago -- you now have to wait to be seated at a cocktail table. Still the same lovely Kanoe doing the hula, great food and ambiance. Unfortunately, they changed the mai tai recipe and that is not good. The old version was lemon based -- I got the recipe from the bartender 20 years ago, and have been making them for family and friends ever since. The new version is lime based with an entirely different flavor that my wife and I didn't particularly like. I know that Bergeron's original recipe is lime based, but I just like Halekulani's old recipe better. The Halekulani still gets 5 stars for vibe, ambiance, and old-school Hawaiian charm, but the mai-tai only gets 3.5 stars from me now. The best mai tais in Waikiki today are definitely at the Royal Hawaiian.
Stayed here last October and all I can say was the service top notch! Every step of the way from the car attendants, to the personalized check in service where they will walk you directly to your room, to helping you with weddings (Brian and Joel are the greatest!), to having that wonderful Jr. Suite with the diamond head view....I have been spoiled rotten by staying here . Personally, there's no other hotel on the island I rather stay now and I've been to many other hotels since I come back here every year to Oahu. There is just no comparison.
It is centrally located to most shops on Kalakaua. The only thing it does not have is a beach on its property but again, it's walking distance to one. I will certainly be back!
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I have fond memories of Halekulani, it is beautiful, the service is top notch and it's off of Kalakaua which is a bit more secluded in the middle of hectic Waikiki.
The courtyard is romantic and a perfect backdrop for weddings. The pool has gorgeous orchid mosaic on the bottom. I went to Orchids for lunch and they had a great view. Definitely a place to visit every time I'm in Hawaii.
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One of the nicest if not THE nicest hotels in Waikiki. Not only is it beautiful but it is old school Hawaii too. The grounds are beautiful and the food is fantastic at the restaurants. Once my online frequent flyer group met up here for a private party on the grass lawn and banquet room and they did a fantastic job of dealing with 100+ people from across the world.
Even if you are not staying here stop by and have a Mai Tai at sunset and they have live Hawaiian music and a lady that does hula. A very nice and quiet way to end the day.
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Allow me to preface this by stating that I travel 10+ times a year (outside of business travel) and have had the pleasure of staying at 5-star hotels worldwide.
Yes the Halekulani could benefit from updating the interior of their rooms but the rest of the grounds, pool and lobby are gorgeous and the service was par excellence.
I stayed there for 5 days for a friend's birthday in June of this year. She and her two friends shared a Diamond Head Suite which was roomy, boasted three balconies and the most spectacular view of Diamond Head (please see attached pictures). Their suite's ample sitting area was furnished with two love seats and a chair, a wet bar and half-bath, entertainment center with CD player and TV. Of course I would have liked a 42" plasma screen but we didn't go to Oahu to watch TV. Their bedroom was quite spacious and their bathroom was beautiful as was mine.
I had a Club Suite in their other building which had two balconies and almost as nice a view of Diamond Head. I too had a nice sitting area with the addition of a desk and chair right inside the door. The bathroom was spacious and everything was immaculately clean.
The hotel obviously caters to well-to-do Japanese tourists but I found the service to be gracious and spot-on with recommendations. In particular, Dee Dee at the concierge desk was exceptionally friendly, polite and most importantly, eminently knowledgeable about things to do and places to eat on Oahu.
Their lobby is gorgeous... Open and airy with oversized couches and chairs. Check in was done upstairs (which is always a classy move) and was effortless.
Yes there is a lot of construction going on but the noise never bothered any of us. Admittedly we were on the 'ocean side' of their property.
The one-way street leading to the hotel was often congested but we never waited longer than 2 or 3 minutes before we were waved through by one of the omnipresent traffic cops.
This was my first trip to Oahu (I have stayed on Maui the other 6-7 times I've been to Hawaii) and I knew what I was getting into. It is a big city. Cities have traffic and other inconveniences that one has to take as part of the package.
I am leaving for Maui again the first week of September and am looking forward to being on an island where the most congested road is the two lane road from where we are staying in Wailea to Lahaina. Even then, you are driving along some of the most gorgeous coastline on the planet.
There is an ABC store a stone's throw from the lobby which was great for snacks and such.
All in all the Halekulani is indeed a world class hotel. Hopefully they will spruce up the decor in the rooms a bit but the rattan-esque furniture and neutral tones are appropriate for the island setting. The service is 5-star and breakfast at Orchids was one of the best meals we had during our stay. Didn't get to try La Mer but it comes very highly recommended.
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It's nice to have your wedding here in the gazebo in the courtyard, but everyone's wedding and reception at the Halekulani is IDENTICAL.
I find the entertainment at the bar "Room Without a Key" or whatever it's name is, too touristy for a classy hotel. Hawaii's elite tourists deserve better.
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My friends had their wedding reception here and it was beautiful!!!! The grounds are so pretty and relaxing. The food at the reception was delicious.
And, the food at the Sunday Brunch at Orchids was really really good. There was sooo much food I did not know where to start.
Yikes! This is the most beautiful place hotel I've ever seen. This is the lap of luxury. If you have the dough, and you are spoiled rotten, stay at this swanky joint. I've never had better service at another hotel or otherwise. And the restaurant La Mer is one of the best on the island.
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Halekulani is where I stayed on my first trip to Honolulu, so I was spoiled from the get-go. This is an absolutely amazing hotel on the beach near Waikiki. The rooms are smallish but reasonable, and it doesn't even matter because my bathroom was HUGE. The service was absolutely amazing. The gym is fully stocked and totally convenient. The room service -- spectacular. I swear I wanted to just live here forever after about an hour or so. If you're coming to Honolulu for a romantic or special occasion, STAY HERE! It's better than any other hotel in Oahu.
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The Five Stars are truly defined at the Halekulani! It's a beautiful hotel with absolutely phenomenal service! The hotel is a landmark Waikiki gem, overlooking the beach with a very nice courtyard where my bud's wedding ceremony was held. This hotel has more history for me as my parents were also married there. Just visit and you'll see what all the rave is about.
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2nd time here. So here are the things I gripe about:
We had an impromptu fire drill last nite that deposited me and my wife in the street in our underwear at 2 AM. Evidently, these things "just happen", according to the night manager. Holy guacamole!
There is a goofy promenade that occurs as people from nearby hotels navigate the maze at ocean's edge. Gates and walls and such like. Mgmt need to fix this.
Our non-smoking room smelled of smoke. Not cool!.
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Tops in everything. Beautiful hotel, room, service, location.
You'll be in the lap of luxury and lovin' it.
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A great hotel with beautiful rooms and a nice location near Waikiki. Compared to the Kahala, the rooms are a bit smaller and the Kahala has the advantage of being a bit more secluded from the busy/touristy part of Honolulu. But the hotel is extremely nice with good restaurants and amenities.
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I used to sneak in here just to sit in their lobbies. The grounds, the pool, the rooms are all so amazing, it is several steps above every other place in town.
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Beautiful. The Bellagio of Hawaiian hotels, with a good deal more history.
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