HALEKULANI
WAIKIKI’S QUIET STAR
Some places have that special kind of magic - the kind that unfolds slowly and stays with you long after you’ve left. Halekulani is one of them.
Perched on the edge of Waikiki’s buzz, this gem is all understated elegance, soft ocean breezes and next-level hospitality. It’s the kind of place where time slows down - not because there’s nothing to do, but because everything feels better done a little more slowly. And luxuriously.
The rooms are modern and light-filled, with just the right balance of contemporary comfort and island soul. If you can swing it, opt for a an oceanview room - waking up to those panoramic blues and watching the sun stretch across Diamond Head is a moment you won’t forget in a hurry. We started each morning on the balcony with a coffee in hand, watching the waves roll in and the odd sea turtle cruising by below. It’s a front row seat to the best of Waikiki.
There is a grace and calm to this hotel that sets it apart - but don’t mistake calm for quiet. House Without a Key is where the magic happens every night, with live music and hula dancing beneath the glow of the sunset and 140 year old banyan tree. It’s pure aloha spirit, and it’s hard not to be completely enchanted.
Then there is Orchids Champagne Brunch. Hands down one of the best brunches we’ve had the pleasure of stretching a Sunday morning over. Think - freshly shucked oysters, melt-in-your-mouth crab legs, delicate sashimi, a roast suckling pig station, tropical desserts - and yes…champagne.
When you are ready to trade slippers for surf wax, Waikiki’s ocean playground is right on your doorstep. Embrace the local tradition and work off brunch with an outrigger canoe ride, or grab a board and paddle out at Queens - the local surf break beloved by Waikiki regulars. The waves here are friendly enough for beginners, but still fun for those who know their way around a longboard.
Halekulani is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of The World, and it shows in all the best ways - the intuitive service, flawless presentation, the way everything just flows. It’s a hotel that leans into luxury without ever trying too hard. And we’re here for it.
If you’re heading to Hawaii and looking for a stay that feels like an exhale wrapped in sunshine - Halekulani is the one.
A huge Mahalo to @halekulanihotel @bigwavedave @MANAcruises @leadinghotelsoftheworld
