Halekulani Hotel

This was our third stay at the Halekulani in two years. It is truly one of my ‘happy places.’ Every staff member I interacted with was extremely helpful, friendly and kind. It’s quite obvious that the hotel treats its staff well — that warm and kind treatment is absolutely passed on to hotel guests. The Halekulani pool is one of the most beautiful resort pools I’ve ever seen. During our Christmas week visit, the water temperature was 83 - 85 degrees. The pool is long and wide enough for lap swimming, as long as you go in the mornings before about 10 AM. After that, the pool begins to fill up with families, making it difficult to swim laps. The food at House Without a Key and Orchids is excellent, though the prices are sky high. Two cocktails at the poolside bar will cost about $60 including a 20% tip. The lunches at House Without a Key are easy to split, which reduces the cost. The staff will split, say, the hamburger (delicious) or the club sandwich (yummy). Plus, you’ll both get more fries if you split the meal! And the fries are always hot, crisp and not overly salty. Having been to Honolulu eight times now, we felt no need to even leave the property, except for taking walks to exercise. We had reservations at a few restaurants outside the property — and ended up cancelling them. It feels self-pampering and luxurious to just stay and savor the beautiful environment. I love the Halekulani’s location. The small beach is disconnected from Waikiki, so there’s not a lot of foot traffic and overcrowding, though the Sunday after Christmas was pretty busy on the beach. Also, there are a wealth of retail establishments beginning across the street on Lewers Street and beyond. Everything from the ubiquitous ABC Stores (for things you need) to Louis Vuitton (for things you don’t need but want). Check out the Louis Vuitton building — it’s one of my favorite buildings in Honolulu. Beautiful, dark-blue tiled roof with a vaguely Asian style, and it dates back to the 1920s. Just two things to be aware of: The Halekulani is expensive. It’s not difficult to spend $10k on a six-night stay, plus another $2k on food (if you mostly dine on site). So, it’s a splurge. That said, it’s worth it! You should have high expectations when you spend that kind of money, and the Halekulani meets if not exceeds them. The other thing is that the hotel has no in-room recycling bins. When I asked a housekeeper about recycling, she said she didn’t think the hotel recycled. For a ‘tree hugger’ like me, that feels wrong. I separated my plastics, metals and paper anyway, but I soon realized it all went into one trash bag. When you stay in such a gorgeous environment, it makes you want to protect that environment as best you can. If someone from the Halekulani reads this review, please take note — and please correct me if I’m wrong about the hotel’s recycling.

The hotel and the staff were great. The view from the room and balcony were absolutely beautiful. The atmosphere from the beach to the 14th floor was amazing. Location was in walking distance of the stores for souvenirs, restaurants, etc. If / When my wife return, we are Definitely staying at Hotel Halekulani.

Our family had a great time.Service was excellent. The restaurant and room service was great.The rooms and the ocean front view were tremendous!

The wife and I had a wonderful time. From check-in to check-out, and everything in between, was awesome. Very peaceful environment. Just what we needed.

Our stay at Halekulani was exceptional from start to finish and reminded us why this hotel remains one of Waikiki’s true standouts. The service is where Halekulani truly separates itself. Thoughtful, intuitive, and never intrusive—staff anticipate needs before you voice them. From arrival to departure, everything felt seamless and calm, which is no small feat in Waikiki. The rooms are beautifully understated—elegant, immaculate, and designed to let the ocean and Diamond Head take center stage. The bed was incredibly comfortable, the lanai a joy at any time of day, and the overall atmosphere serene and refined. Dining was excellent across the board, but evenings at House Without a Key were a highlight—sunsets, live music, and classic cocktails in a setting that feels timeless rather than trendy. The pool, spa, and grounds are immaculate, offering a true sense of retreat despite being steps from the energy of Waikiki. Halekulani doesn’t chase flash or hype—it delivers consistency, quality, and quiet luxury. If you value impeccable service, elegance, and a hotel that feels like a sanctuary rather than a scene, Halekulani delivers on every level. We will absolutely return.