The Credentials:
Halekulani is a hidden gem in the heart of Waikiki (Waikiki beach is located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu). With more than 100 years’ history, Halekulani means ‘house befitting heaven’.
Sprawling across five prime oceanfront acres, Halekulani boasts lush gardens and open courtyards along with a heated pool (comprised of 1.2 million imported individual glass mosaic tiles), spa, restaurants and a myriad of other facilities that come as standard. Whatever your request, Halekulani delivers. No request is too large or too small to make their guests feel welcome.
Dine:
The resort has three oceanfront restaurants, three cocktail lounges and their adjacent sister property, Waikiki Parc, is home to Nobu. Of their onsite restaurants, La Mer serves up Neoclassical French cuisine with dress code and reservations a must. Before dinner you can enjoy a specially served up cocktail at L’Apertif, a 19th century designed cocktail bar inside La Mer. Orchids serves up breakfast and contemporary seafood in the evening. This oceanside restaurant is more casual than Le Mer, although collared shirts and slacks are required.
I opted to eat at Nobu one night, and their most informal beachfront restaurant, House Without a Key, the next. House Without a Key has live music and a more casual atmosphere. Perched beside a magnificent century-old Kiawe tree, I enjoyed a meal while looking out across the ocean to beautiful views of Diamond Head and beyond. Nobu was a no-brainer as I’ve enjoyed their sushi in London and LA. Nubu and all of the Halekulani restaurants procure a large amount of their ingredients locally, helping sustainability and ensuring the highest quality organic produce.
Sleep:
We took an Ocean View room overlooking Waikiki beach. The rooms have recently been upgraded with the latest and greatest in amenities. Not that I spent much time in the room, but along with the high thread-count bed linens I was spoilt with a deep soaking tub, a large lanai with chaise lounges and most importantly, extravagant views. The flat-screen, iPod dock and complimentary Wi-Fi are standard, but I found little time to use them as there is much to see and do in the area. The time I spent in my room was mostly when I retired on the ultra-comfy bed.
Who Goes There?
Continuing its age old traditions, Halekulani remains a retreat for wealthy vacationers. From the moment you arrive million dollar cars are lined up behind the valet. The clientele for this exclusive property includes rich and regular travellers, newlyweds and honeymooners, along with couples returning to renew their vows. Wealthy Americans, Japanese and Europeans swarm to this beautiful oasis in the otherwise relentlessly busy Waikiki area.
Loyal guests are well dressed upper-class socialites that come to the resort for one reason: that they do not need to leave. All needs are met at a moment’s notice, whether a spa treatment at SpaHalekulani, or special dinner requests. Limousines and exotic cars are available and can be arranged through the concierge.
Out & About:
A wide array of activities are available through the resort including their ‘For You, Everything’ programme, offering Halekulani guests complimentary tickets to the Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, Doris Duke’s Shangri La estate, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and Iolani Palace. Doris Duke’s estate is a must see for its architectural and aesthetic beauty along with its intensive history.
Want to jump in the water and get your first surfing lesson? Then head over to the lovely folks at Hans Hederman surf school. They will pick you up from the hotel and get you all geared up to catch that first wave, all in a friendly and professional manner.
If your idea of relaxation is in line with Halekulani then you need not leave the resort but take residence at SpaHalekulani for a treatment or two. They are the first spa to fully explore the healing traditions of the Pacific Islands and with such accolades as being honored with the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Rating, the highest bestowed upon any spa by the Forbes Travel Guide, and ranked second Best Resort Spa in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, you can hardly go wrong.
The Best Thing:
The benefit of having such a beautiful sanctuary is you need not leave the property. However, if you wish to leave you are still in the middle of Waikiki beach, making it easy to venture out to the designer shops and stroll along the beautiful clear watered beaches, as well as see some of the nearby attractions including Diamond Head and Huanama Bay. And at the end of the day you are not so isolated that you can’t venture out again, but have the privilege of retreating back to ultra-luxurious Halekulani where you feel right at home.
The Worst Thing:
With so much to do, deciding what to do and see can be exhausting. Try to research a few things that interest you and let the concierge make life a bit easier. They are there to help with dinner reservations, sight-seeing, pretty much everything. Have them help plan your day to your likes and if you are up for it get a limousine to take you around the island.
The Details:
A prime Ocean View Room at Halekulani starts at $675* per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis, based on two people sharing (including all taxes); www.halekulani.com; +1 (800) 367-2343; Their sister property Waikiki Parc starts at $375 www.waikikiparc.com; +1 (800) 422-0450
American Airlines fly nonstop from Heathrow to Los Angeles and then nonstop from Los Angeles to Honolulu; www.aa.com
*prices in US dollars, effective through to December 2013 and subject to change.
