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

The bustle of Waikiki is simply steps behind you. However if you cross the edge of Halekulani (“Home Befitting Heaven”), you are feeling such as you’re entering into a distinct, extra tranquil world. A way of calm pervades the ambiance as you make your technique to reception, are escorted to your room, and take within the expanse of ocean that you just see via your window. It is time to settle in in your lanai along 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 generally known as the Hau Tree, a principal constructing surrounded by small bungalows. When creator 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 title of one among Halekulani’s eating places, with its adjoining bar, Earl’s, named after Biggers.

Within the early Nineteen Eighties, the lodge underwent a whole transformation. The bungalows had been gone, although the historic principal 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 employees 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 employees with a powerful bond with their place of employment; if you communicate to an worker, it’s common to search out individuals who have labored on the lodge for 20, 30, and even 40 years. Consequently, they take distinctive satisfaction of their work, translating right into a superior visitor expertise. “We all know that our visitors might keep wherever on the earth, and so they have chosen to stick with us. We’ll do our greatest to satisfy or exceed their expectations,” stated 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 made out of 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 long run — which can also be what makes staying right here such a timeless expertise.  

Learn on for Journey + Leisure’s full assessment 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 lavatory featured a deep-soaking tub, separate bathe, and bathroom; different in-room facilities embrace a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and tea kettle.

Arriving visitors are welcomed with a fruit plate of papaya and bananas, and if 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 — resembling “From what we can not maintain the celebs are made,” by creator 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 Seashore) 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 standard and reservations are really useful). There are additionally poolside breakfast choices for early risers, together with the luxurious acai bowl, crammed with native tropical fruits, and the bakery basket that includes freshly baked croissants and muffins.

In case you’re keen on pastries, take a look at the Halekulani Bakery simply throughout the road, which is barely open within the mornings. The “Every part Croissant,” with a dollop of creamy cheese within the center, shortly grew to become a favourite. You can too purchase the lodge’s famed coconut cake by the slice. And think about treating your self to afternoon tea, served on the Veranda of the lodge’s principal constructing, Tuesday via 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 (an everyday 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 called after Ernest Hemmingway’s favourite desk on the restaurant. However the Mai Tai stays the signature drink, primarily based on the unique 1944 recipe, sans extraneous juices. “I don’t suppose that you’ll find one other place in Waikiki that does a Mai Tai that doesn’t have orange or pineapple juice in it,” says Sarian. “We use contemporary lime juice, and it’s very rum-forward; it’s the best way 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 calmly sweetened hoisin coconut ribs, and the at all times standard kabayaki fries (French fries with furikake, garlic, and kabayaki sauce).

The cocktail menu at Lewers Lounge displays the delicate setting of this jazz venue, with the drinks named after such traditional 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 wished the menu to learn like a compilation,” Sarian explains, “to imitate the sensation of being a jazz report.” Appetizers are additionally out there.

La Mer gives 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 go away room for dessert, probably the most decadent alternative being the vanilla soufflé with Grand Marnier crème anglaise, chocolate sauce, and spiced caramel. It’s value including the wine pairing; sommelier Kevin Tomaya is completely happy to elucidate why the precise pairings had been chosen. And don’t overlook La Mer’s lounge, L’Aperitif, the place you possibly can 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 principle middle of exercise. At 82 toes lengthy, it’s a bigger pool than at different Waikiki resorts. On the backside, a powerful mosaic of a Cattleya orchid (the flower used as Halekulani’s brand) usual 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 really useful.

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

The Spa

Throughout my go to, SpaHalekulani was within the technique of renovation, although restricted providers had been nonetheless out there, 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 the usage of single-use plastic water bottles within the visitor rooms and now gives Aloha Water, packaged in cartons made out of recyclable supplies. Different sustainability efforts embrace altering mattress linens solely each three days (although extra frequent service might be requested). Halekulani was additionally the primary U.S. luxurious lodge to supply meals free from GMO meals.

Location

Halekulani is situated in central Waikiki, about 8 miles from Honolulu Worldwide Airport. With its wealth of retailers, eating places, and points of interest, the neighborhood is very walkable; you gained’t want a automotive except you wish to go outdoors the realm.

Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Halekulani visitors are supplied complimentary admission to a few of Honolulu’s high points of interest, 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 gives a behind-the-scenes take a look at the lodge, together with a peek at what the deluxe suites seem like. Throughout the vacation season, the “12 Days of Christmas Countdown” program gives particular day by 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 gives a wide range of packages with particular charges.