Halekulani-Orchids

User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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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