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Halekulani has been hosting visitors to Waikiki Beach for over 100 years. Today its reputation for gracious hospitality, impeccable service and magnificent cuisine is unequaled on Oahu and renowned, throughout the world.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in Waikiki, Halekulani Hotel emerges as a beloved destination for many travelers, celebrated for its ideal blend of beachfront beauty and accessibility to local attractions. Guests are charmed by the spacious, modern rooms offering breathtaking views, set within a serene and elegant atmosphere that includes live cultural entertainment.
While the hotel's staff is lauded for their exceptional Aloha spirit, some travelers mention high costs associated with dining and parking. Despite this, the hotel's cleanliness and amenities, including a variety of dining options and a peaceful pool, consistently impress visitors.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Exceptional
Amenities
Top-notch
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Our family has travelled to Hawaii many times yet never spent a night in Waikiki and so when a flight was cancelled we found ourselves with an unexpected three day stay in the area. A friend recommended the Halekulani and we are so glad they did! In general Waikiki is much more of a city atmosphere than other parts of Hawaii and the Halekulani does a great job of merging the city vibe with the tropical paradise. Our room (561)had a great view of the the shore and Diamond Head, the kids were on the 10th floor with less view but a larger room (1052) Both rooms were comfortable and meticulously maintained. The hotel is older and the decor is somewhat dated but the finishes are high end and spotless so it was charming and not an issue. The hotel is well located, one the far end of the beach so a little out of the very busy area. There really isn't much of a beach and no beach loungers offered. If you are looking to relax on a pristine tropical beach then Waikiki is probably not the spot for you anyway. The pool area had plenty of space on cushy loungers. Didn't use the spa but fitness area was good and had a nice view. The best things were the evening options. The sunset bar (can't remember the name) has a hula show featuring Kanoe Miller who was Miss Hawaii which was very fun, good back up musicians and good entertainment value, a little different flavor than hula I have seen before, we really enjoyed it. The hostess at lunch said she would reserve us a table and she sure did us right, we had a great seat. Even got to meet Axl Rose that night as he was there. Then we went over to the jazz club and got the second great show of the night. Felt like I was somehow in NYC and Hawaii at the same time, such fun. We also had a drink (shoulda had dinner!) at La Mer Restaurant. Such a beautiful space and the cocktails were so over the top. All this and you can walk to all the shops and attractions of Waikiki. The staff were universally excellent. Can't imagine a better place to stay in Waikiki.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is well appointed and the service by the staff is exceptional! The room (Ocean King Diamond Head View) was beautiful! The staff kept it fully stocked and any item used was replaced without asking before the end of the day (even the tissue box was refilled daily). The turn down service was so refreshing after a day of touring, shopping or just laying out at the pool! Every staff member we encountered greeted us with a welcoming smile and those who provided service truly made sure we were well taken care of. The concierge before we even arrived had made sure all reservations were made which made our stay so much more enjoyable! My only request is that the hotel not recommend the Star of Honolulu dinner cruise or at least add the disclaimer about the lower end service on the that cruise as it does not align with the service at Halekulani. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Halekulani; the Sunday brunch (which was recommended and reserved by the concierge) was the absolute best! We will definitely be returning here. While Honolulu/Waikiki can be very busy/lots of tourists; Halekulani was like an island of its own once you entered the property. It provided a very relaxing and refreshing experience!
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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This is our second stay at the Halekula. This time with our kids (our first stay was 18 years ago). In my review 18 years ago I noted how extraordinary the service was and that we had not stayed in a hotel with better service. I can confirm that 18 years later, that statement is still true. If possible, the service is even better (or maybe the service is the same but even more noticeable given the decline of service levels at other hotels). It is incredible how serene the hotel grounds are when Waikiki Beach is steps away.
Also, my only critique 18 years ago was that the rooms were looking tired and dated. That criticism is no long relevant as they have done a tasteful renovation that makes the rooms modern with clean lines and different shades of white.
We had connection rooms so the kids has their own room and the second room was at a discounted family rate.
Few other notes: (i) the Sunday brunch is absolutely amazing - plan your stay so you are there on a Sunday, (ii) the kitchen at House Without a Key is not yet open due to a remodel so there is currently a limited, but well done menu, (iii) some stretches of the walkway on Waikiki Beach need to be restored which is disappointing, (iv) one suggestion is for there to be pillow options to help customize sleep and (v) another suggestion would be to have the concierge open longer than 10 am to 5 pm - for a hotel as dedicated to service as the Halekulani, this seems too limited in terms of availability.
Can't wait to come back!
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Date of stay: February 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been returning to the Halekulani for several years and have always been pleased with the comfort of the hotel and the high level of service that this hotel used to provide to its guests . We are back for the first time in three years and after the hotel has been closed for almost two years for renovation. We are staying in room 1561. We are very disappointed! Some positive changes have been made to the rooms including new paper on the walls and new carpet, and also new outlets by the bed. That's about it ! The air conditioning system appears to have been redone but it makes noise, there is no way to have quiet cold air in the room, even when on low your hear a significant noise. The toilets have been replaced by japanese style toilets: they are tiny and when you sit on them you permanently have to fight for balance . They are very uncomfortable ! Breakfast used to be served at The House without a Key and it was possible to enjoy the magnificent views of the Ocean and Diamond Head from the terrace while eating . The buffet was opulent with lots of choices. Now breakfast is served in a black hole overviewing the patio. The buffet is about one fourth of what it used to be, it is very basic : eggs , sausages, potatoes, a few pancakes, pineapple , cantelope and a bowl on the table with two croissants and one muffin ! No more exotic fruits , no more cheeses , cold cuts etc no more all the delicious things which made breakfast at Halekulani a feast ! We called the front desk to ask until what time it was possible to have breakfast and were answered 9:30 am. We rushed and when we arrived a signed said that it was open until 10:30 am . The information given to us was wrong . When we asked for a table the attendant on duty very abruptly said that we had to wait 20 minutes , that they were full and that no table was available ! The other employees in charge of serving food were as abrupt ! Absolutely no courtesy ! It is even possible to say they were rude . The location is awful compared to the location before (terrace with ocean and diamond head views). All together the Halekulani is now providing the level of service of a Hyatt or a Hilton, but still charges Halekulani prices at close to 1000 dollars a night! Something is wrong here ! If this is going to be their new standards then we will be better off at Hyatt or Hilton next time !
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:For diamond head and ocean views go for rooms finishing with 58 and above
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is nestled between two large resorts with the Sheraton towering and dwarfing the hotel in a major way. There is beach access to the tiniest cove and no beachfront like other hotels. This set up disappoints, however location is a convenient one next to Sheraton and Royal Hawaiian.
The hotel itself is tastefully decorated, modern and very comfortable. While there is no complimentary coffee and tea in the room, which I find inhospitable, feel free to request a kettle. They are generous with complimentary water.
The view from the ocean room is great, beautiful sea in front.
The dining at Orchids is exceptional. At house by the key it’s more average.
Concierge is helpful and the porters are great.
There is no flexibility on check out time however the hotel provides a hospitality lounge for you to shower and relax before a late flight.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When it comes to rating a 5 star hotel, the Halekulani should set the bench mark. The rooms are well maintained and of quality, the views are uninterrupted. Walking distance to shops, bars, supermarkets & restaurants. The rooms and grounds are peaceful and it’s very easy to forget you are right in the midst of Waikiki. Thé pool, is pristine, manned by happy staff who gladly help you to a lounger and prepare it with lovely soft towels. They are also attentive throughout the day, providing wash cloths, menu’s, etc It’s not the kind of pool that has loads of kids jumping in and out, it’s very adult. From the pool, there is an entry gate, for guests only, to access the beach, which is quite a small section, however we found it perfect as it wasn’t overcrowded. It was easy to go between sun lounger by the pool, to a dip in the ocean. The restaurants and bars inside the hotel can also not be faulted. Hotel Staff are also a big part of your holiday experience and hotel rating. I can honestly say, each person we met or spoke to were all impeccable at their jobs. There is nightly entertainment, cultural & music, all were enjoyable and like the hotel staff, they really appeared to be happy to be a part of the Halekulani.
If you are looking for a relaxing hotel for a couple, or a more adult hotel, close to all Waikiki has to offer, without a doubt the Halekulani should be your number one choice.
We extended our stay and will be back!
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 of us booked into the Halekulani Hotel for a buffet dinner on Christmas Day, If they ever have buffet meals, would be well worth attending for a 'special occasion' as quite expensive. Full range of hot & cold foods and desserts.with the presentation in the top quality range, and waiter service was extremely attentative. Totally satisfied. Halekuani is one of the top 3 hotels in Waikiki.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Service
Room Tip:Only had Christmas Dinner so never actually stayed at the hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked 2 nights in a Diamond Head Ocean Prime King Room (Room 1562) including Breakfast. The room overlooked the pool and beach and had a prime view of Diamond Head. Front desk was very quick to correct issues (i.e. I found yellow stains on new slippers) and housekeeping (Japanese ladies) did a very good job tidying and cleaning the room. They had such a friendly and positive attitude so we were sure to tip them. We loved the pool and the dining experience at La Mer for our anniversary dinner was magical. We got the best corner table in the house directly facing the water and the view was right out of a postcard. The service was excellent and the food was pretty good by local standards. Breakfast at Orchids and House Without a Key were fine. Again, they were good by local standards, but the selection and cuisine were not stellar compared with other resorts in Asia and Europe. Lewers Lounge was a good spot for music but one of the staff came and told us to “please keep it down” when we were not even talking loudly. It’s an odd atmosphere as it’s not a lounge you can do much talking in - the main attraction is the singer. The bar should tell people upon arrival that it’s not a talking bar.
I have been to Hawaii many times and stayed in all sorts of lodging (including Grand Wailea, Marriott Wailea Beach Resort, Sensei Lanai Resort, timeshare at Hilton Hawaiian Village, AirBnb and VRBO) and find that service, accommodation and food do not compare to Asia. However, Halekulani was leagues ABOVE the standard Hawaiian hotel - certainly the best we have stayed at. It comes with a price tag however as rooms here can easily cost 4 figures a night.
Overall, we had a fantastic stay at Halekulani and would definitely come back again. It was a hidden oasis in the heart of Waikiki and we loved that it was quiet and peaceful despite being in tourist central. The hotel had a nice breeze flowing throughout the lobby and the moment we arrived, we felt the calming energy. It would be nice if the resort added beach loungers as there is no official hotel area on the [public] beach.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Grab a spot on the beach where the catamaran docks. It's a nice quiet section.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When one is returning to a hotel after many visits one could expect a warmer welcome than the one we received on our recent visit to the Halekulani on Waikiki!!!
When we presented at reception Naomi didn’t even welcome us back, didn’t even smile at us she just demanded our passports and to know who would be sleeping in each room!! We were then told our rooms wouldn’t be available until 3pm!
It was 9am!! We wandered the hotel and fell asleep on a reception couch due to jet lag. A kind bell boy told us there was a hospitality room (which turned out to be the business centre) which we found our way to and again fell asleep. The reception called our mobile at approximately 2pm to say one of our rooms was ready. What a terrible start to a very expensive holiday and so disrespectful of our loyalty to the hotel and the huge business we have given them over the years. The hotel couldn’t even put our rooms on the same floor! I actually can’t quite believe the lack of service, but it is a complete failure for the hotel and one they should frankly be ashamed of!! The front desk staff seem very caught up in their own self importance and have lost sight of what they are there to do and that is to make guests feel welcome! We felt most unwelcome and therefore I find it hard to proceed in giving the hotel any praise!
I will give a few comments as to what worked well for us once we calmed down from such a horrible commencement!
The pool food staff are delightful and the food and drinks are good around the pool as is the room service!
House Without a Key is still good, but the breakfasts have diminished in quality somewhat. The food used to be immaculate, but unfortunately it’s a little disappointing now and they are cramming too many people into the restaurant at night so it doesn’t feel exclusive anymore.
Orchids is still good and we had a lovely meal in Le Mer and enjoyed the entertainment in Lewers.
The spa is still a relaxing experience, but seems a little tired! The whole resort needs and upgrade as even though it is beautifully maintained it is looking quite tired. Don’t be fooled that the sister hotel Halepuna that they have built behind them is equivalent quality. It’s not on the beach and has more of an executive feel to it!
Thank God the Halekulani Cake is still perfect or otherwise I would be truly crying in my cups!!
They have a programme for return guests, but they only started recognising that a day or two in and this means you receive a little amenity at night with the turndown service!
I’m left with one image of my stay! When I excitedly asked Naomi at the front desk if she could tell me from the computer what number visit this was for us she said she wouldn’t be able to tell me from the computer! Well how ridiculous is this!!! She didn’t care!!! In fact we felt like the hotel didn’t care at all!!
Please lift your game Halekulani or we won’t be back!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I are newlyweds, came here for our Honeymoon, & we absolutely fell in love all over again at the Halekulani. While it was definitely a splurge, i considered it as an investment in our mental & physical health. Mental bc this hotel is tucked away from the hustle & bustle of other Waikiki hotels & physical bc you have to walk a bit farther to get to the nightlife. Even then, the Halekulani is still at the center of Waikiki & it was a pleasure to stroll down the beach boardwalk & walkable streets to get to our desired locations. We stayed in rm 537, which had an oceanview to the right side of our balcony. It was heavenly. The bathroom was equipped with a Japanese toilet seat (bidet, heated), which was always a treat to settle into. Besides spending too much time in our luxurious bedroom & balcony, we lounged by the pool everyday & ventured to the beach right by the pool. The ocean was perfect & Halekulani def has the best beach property among all the hotels in spite of its smaller size—it’s more secluded & therefore romantic. Especially with Covid, staying away from strangers was important for us. We only left yesterday, & already, our hearts ache for the Halekulani. OH & I forgot to mention— definitely opt for the everyday breakfast deal, which gives you access to two of the hotel’s three highly rated restaurants. We ate at Orchids everyday except for our last day, we decided to try House without a Key. Also!! If you come to this hotel, highly recommend booking a sunset dinner at one of the restos (we would have done House without a Key if we knew better about La Mer, which was overrated to us.) they have live music from 5:30 to around 8! Sadly we spent this hour of time napping lol. Anyways, again, the Halekulani is a literal slice of heaven on earth. dont forget to tip the staff!!
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Statesville, North Carolina20 contributions1 helpful vote
There are shops and places to eat right within walking distance. We didn’t have any issues with that. Btw…..we found a great steak shack right by the hotel. Closer to the Outrigger hotel next to us. It was so good!
We gave it five stars because their service is crazy good. Always had fresh towels and room clean each day. Turn down service was an extra plus and do nice. The staff at the hotel are so kind and go out of their way to help with anything you need. Each morning for breakfast they knew our name and always talked to us. The valet service was great too. Always offering us water and talking to us before the car would get there. The pool people walked us to our chairs and made sure we had towels. Checked on us as we sat there enjoying the pool and sunshine. If you want to be spoiled check this place out. It’s probably the best vacation we have ever had!! Hope you enjoy it!
Yes but try to book house without out a key in advance for sunset drinks /dinner. We did this on the morning of the day was dined there. I think if you try to book and aren’t staying in the hotel you need to do so days/weeks in advance.
There are more places to choose from in the Honolulu area.
PRICE RANGE
₱39,152 - ₱54,326 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
halekulani hotel honolulu
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiOahuHonoluluWaikiki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
453
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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