Halekulani Affords a Welcome Spot of Tranquility within the Midst of Busy Waikiki

The bustle of Waikiki is simply steps behind you. However once you cross the brink of Halekulani (“Home Befitting Heaven”), you are feeling such as you’re getting into a unique, extra tranquil world. A way of calm pervades the environment as you make your technique to reception, are escorted to your room, and take within the expanse of ocean that you simply see by your window. It is time to settle in in your lanai together with your favourite drink in hand and take within the spectacular view.

There’s been a lodge on this web site since 1907 when it was often called the Hau Tree, a important constructing surrounded by small bungalows. When writer Earl Derr Biggers checked in throughout a go to to the islands within the Nineteen Twenties, he was bemused by the response when he requested for the important thing to his bungalow: “What key?” The change impressed the title of his 1925 thriller novel “The Home With out a Key,” which launched detective Charlie Chan to the world (whose exploits had been impressed by real-life Honolulu detective Chang Apana). In a case of life imitating artwork, Home With out a Secret is now the identify of certainly one of Halekulani’s eating places, with its adjoining bar, Earl’s, named after Biggers.

Within the early Eighties, the lodge underwent a whole transformation. The bungalows had been gone, although the historic important constructing was restored, full with its Polynesian-style Dickey roof, initially designed by architect Charles Dickey. Although the property has 453 rooms and suites, the expansive format over the 5-plus acres makes it really feel extra like a smaller boutique lodge, with low-rise steps and luxurious inexperienced courtyards. Like many resorts in Hawaii, there are not any doorways; entryways are left open to the cooling ocean breezes.

Halekulani’s workers is understood for his or her attentive service; “I really feel I’m handled like royalty right here,” a fellow visitor informed me in the future as we sipped our drinks by the pool. It’s the results of having a workers with a powerful bond with their place of employment; once you converse to an worker, it’s commonplace to search out individuals who have labored on the lodge for 20, 30, and even 40 years. Consequently, they take distinctive pleasure of their work, translating right into a superior visitor expertise. “We all know that our friends might keep wherever on this planet, and so they have chosen to stick with us. We are going to do our greatest to fulfill or exceed their expectations,” mentioned Rage Day, a longtime server at Home With out a Key.

When the 129-year-old Kiawe tree in Home With out a Key’s patio fell over in August 2016 resulting from erosion, it was front-page information within the state. Arborists managed to save lots of the tree, with the remnants appropriately repurposed; you’ll discover a planter created from the fallen branches in Halekulani’s foyer. It’s an instance of how the lodge continues to honor its previous because it strikes into the longer term — which can also be what makes staying right here such a timeless expertise.  

Learn on for Journey + Leisure’s full overview of Halekulani.

The Rooms

My oceanfront room felt spacious and had a spectacular view. Sit in your lanai within the early night, and also you’ll hear music wafting from Home With out a Key. The subdued white and beige decor was tastefully accented by the colour “Halekulani Blue” on the pillows, bedding, and towels. My generously sized rest room featured a deep-soaking tub, separate bathe, and bathroom; different in-room facilities embody a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and tea kettle.

Arriving friends are welcomed with a fruit plate of papaya and bananas, and once you return to your room within the night, you’ll discover that the nightly turndown service additionally features a small merchandise (like a bookmark) left in your pillow, together with a card that includes an inspiring quote — akin to “From what we can not maintain the celebs are made,” by writer William S. Merwin.

Meals and Drink

Home With out a Key and Orchids serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Greet the morning with a splendid view of Diamond Head (a volcanic “tuff cone” that gives a dramatic backdrop in footage of Waikiki Seaside) at Home With out a Key whereas having fun with the buffet, or go for the extra formal setting of Orchids (its Sunday buffet brunch is very widespread and reservations are advisable). There are additionally poolside breakfast choices for early risers, together with the plush acai bowl, stuffed with native tropical fruits, and the bakery basket that includes freshly baked croissants and muffins.

In the event you’re a fan of pastries, try the Halekulani Bakery simply throughout the road, which is barely open within the mornings. The “Every thing Croissant,” with a dollop of creamy cheese within the center, rapidly turned a favourite. You too can purchase the lodge’s famed coconut cake by the slice. And take into account treating your self to afternoon tea, served on the Veranda of the lodge’s important constructing, Tuesday by Saturday.

At 5 p.m., Home With out a Key’s cocktail seating begins, the patio coming to life with the beautiful sounds of a Hawaiian music trio. You’ll want to catch famend hula dancer Kanoe Miller (a daily on the lodge since 1977), who seems most Fridays and Saturdays; her sleek performances are mesmerizing.

The cocktail menus in any respect of Halekulani’s eating places and lounges have been revamped by the lodge’s director of mixology, Tuda Sarian, and at Home With out a Key, the drink names reference the lodge’s historical past; Desk 97, a frothy gin-based drink, is known as after Ernest Hemmingway’s favourite desk on the restaurant. However the Mai Tai stays the signature drink, based mostly on the unique 1944 recipe, sans extraneous juices. “I don’t assume that yow will discover one other place in Waikiki that does a Mai Tai that doesn’t have orange or pineapple juice in it,” says Sarian. “We use recent lime juice, and it’s very rum-forward; it’s the way in which I feel it was supposed to be as a cocktail.” (I solely agree.)

There’s additionally a tempting choice of appetizers: the delectable ahi tataki, the frivolously sweetened hoisin coconut ribs, and the at all times widespread kabayaki fries (French fries with furikake, garlic, and kabayaki sauce).

The cocktail menu at Lewers Lounge displays the subtle setting of this jazz venue, with the drinks named after such basic numbers as “I Get Alongside With out You” (a rum-based drink with smoked pineapple cordial) and “Moonglow” (one other rum drink, given an additional fizz with prosecco). “I needed the menu to learn like a compilation,” Sarian explains, “to imitate the sensation of being a jazz report.” Appetizers are additionally obtainable.

La Mer provides an distinctive eating expertise, from the elegant, romantic setting to the impeccable service to the menu of neoclassic French delicacies. The tasting menu is an indulgent delight designed to dazzle your tastebuds: plump, roasted scallops, succulent poached lobster, and tender filet of beef with foie gras. You’ll want to depart room for dessert, essentially the most decadent alternative being the vanilla soufflé with Grand Marnier crème anglaise, chocolate sauce, and spiced caramel. It’s price including the wine pairing; sommelier Kevin Tomaya is comfortable to elucidate why the precise pairings had been chosen. And don’t overlook La Mer’s lounge, L’Aperitif, the place you’ll be able to loosen up earlier than or after your meal, sampling such creations because the Pistache Gouteuse (vodka, pistachio syrup, and the effervescence of champagne).

Actions and Facilities

Throughout the day, Halekulani’s pool is the primary middle of exercise. At 82 toes lengthy, it’s a bigger pool than at different Waikiki resorts. On the backside, a formidable mosaic of a Cattleya orchid (the flower used as Halekulani’s brand) normal from 1.2 million glass tiles adorns the pool. Beverage and meals service can be found all through the day; the grilled fish tacos — that includes smashed avocado — are advisable.

Although a beachfront property, the pocket-sized Grey’s Seaside adjoining to the lodge is small — however don’t fret; there are extra expansive seashores only a quick stroll away from both aspect of the lodge. (The sand in entrance of the “Pink Palace,” the Royal Hawaiian Lodge, is exceptionally comfortable). Grey’s Seaside is used for the free each day surf demonstrations provided to friends, and also you’ll see catamarans touchdown on the seaside all through the day, taking friends on quick cruises. Excursions may be booked by the concierge. An artwork gallery, health middle with yoga studio, and enterprise middle are additionally obtainable.

The Spa

Throughout my go to, SpaHalekulani was within the strategy of renovation, although restricted providers had been nonetheless obtainable, together with massages, facials, and hair and nail providers.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Halekulani has a spread of accessible visitor rooms and suites which can be ADA-compliant. The lodge has discontinued using single-use plastic water bottles within the visitor rooms and now provides Aloha Water, packaged in cartons created from recyclable supplies. Different sustainability efforts embody altering mattress linens solely each three days (although extra frequent service may be requested). Halekulani was additionally the primary U.S. luxurious lodge to supply meals free from GMO meals.

Location

Halekulani is positioned in central Waikiki, about 8 miles from Honolulu Worldwide Airport. With its wealth of outlets, eating places, and sights, the neighborhood is very walkable; you gained’t want a automotive until you need to go exterior the world.

Learn how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Halekulani friends are provided complimentary admission to a few of Honolulu’s prime sights, together with Iolani Palace, the Bishop Museum, and the fascinating Shangri La Museum of Islamic Artwork, Tradition & Design, a particular favourite of mine to go to. You’ll want to take the complimentary “Coronary heart of the Home” tour, which provides a behind-the-scenes have a look at the lodge, together with a peek at what the deluxe suites appear like. Throughout the vacation season, the “12 Days of Christmas Countdown” program provides particular each day actions, together with gingerbread home and cookie adorning, craft cocktail courses, caroling, and, on Christmas Eve, a go to from Santa.

The lodge’s web site provides quite a lot of packages with particular charges.