Halekulani Hotel

Such an amazing hotel, we were made to feel special from the time we arrived, every member of staff couldn't do more to help, the rooms were luxurious and very clean, with beautiful views. I would recommend a stay here if visiting Honolulu.

I would normally write a review once I left the hotel but was compelled to write one sooner having read a review on TripAdvisor made today which is the opposite to our experience. We stayed at this hotel last year and loved it so much that we returned this year for my special birthday and our wedding anniversary. Our stay has been amazing - the staff are so friendly and nothing is too much for them. I would say that they are definitely the best staff we have experienced having stayed in many 5* hotels over the world. They are certainly a credit to the hotel. The demographic of the hotel guests are mainly Japanese but they are so polite and their children are so well behaved. The location is perfect and the room (we have a Diamond Head view) is perfect. I can definitely see why the hotel is rated 1 in Oahu.

If you are expecting five-star service, skip Halekulani. Despite its oceanfront location and storied name, this property is a case study in how to squander potential through poor training, lack of leadership, and a complete misunderstanding of what true luxury hospitality means. From arrival to departure, it becomes painfully clear that the staff operates without consistent procedural training. Requests are mishandled or ignored, service is sluggish and confused, and no one appears to be empowered—or even encouraged—to solve problems. At a true five-star property, seamless service feels anticipatory. At Halekulani, it feels like you’re doing their job for them. The deeper issue is cultural. Halekulani caters primarily to Asian clientele but fails to embody the very virtues that define Asian hospitality: grace, discretion, precision, humility. There is no sense of welcome, no reverence for the guest. Just polite indifference and scripted platitudes. One can only imagine how quickly this hotel would fail were it located in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Seoul—where guests actually know what excellence looks like. This is not a luxury hotel. It is a simulacrum, propped up by branding and beachfront views, but hollow at its core. For anyone with discerning taste or international perspective, Halekulani is a disappointment you won’t soon forget.

No property in Honolulu (or, for that matter, in Oahu) will provide a serene and relaxed experience - you're in the middle of a real city, and although the main drawback is the hordes of tourists and locals in the area, you do get convenience and action in a place that's always warm and comfortable, if that's what you're looking for. Given those limitations, Halekulani does a good job of providing comfortable accommodations and warm service in a very good location. The other thing to keep in mind. There really aren't any top-tier luxury hotels that are right in front of Waikiki - it doesn't exist. In Halekulani's case, you'll have to exit the hotel and walk for 5-10 minutes to get there. On-site, there is a (very) small "beach" reserved for hotel guests, but I'd definitely skip it. It's tiny and crowded, and not my idea of relaxed fun. Hotel staff are excellent; they really go out of their way to ensure a memorable stay. It appears that many of the employees are long timers, and it shows in their professionalism and pride. Everyone from the front desk to maintenance to the wait staff were first-rate from our experience. Given this was our third stay in the past 4 months, I can say with authority that service has been consistently excellent. The Diamond Head Suite, though pricey (what isn't these day?), was nice. The hotel overall has a "grand dame" charm about it and has aged gracefully. However, there are some limitations in the design that probably wouldn't exist if there was a do-over. For instance, for a top-level suite to have a door open up to plain views of the entire living area is a dead giveaway that this is not a modern build. Newer properties would have a hallway that then leads to the living space. Not a huge show stopper, but people used to uncompromising accommodations will notice the difference. This is partially made up for by the Diamond Head views of the suite - very few properties (and rooms at Halekulani, for that matter) provide such a view, and we can see why they charge so much for it. We've stayed in a similar suite but without the view, and it's roughly half the price. Whether it's good value or not will depend on your priorities. Breakfast is solid for a large, upmarket hotel - The House Without a Key is the main breakfast spot, although Orchids is also a (slightly) higher-end open that also offers brunch on weekends. Dinner is the same - one is for families who like big spreads, whereas Orchids becomes a white linen affair with pretty good high-end cuisine. If you need to stay in Honolulu and want a view and/or be close to the ocean and beach, and prioritize good service and food, Halekulani is a top luxury choice.

The Halekulani is the best hotel I have stayed in the Pacific. The service and hotel accommodations are world-class on par with the best hotels I've stayed at anywhere. Would highly recommend for couples or small groups looking for a quiet, relaxing accommodation.