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

The bustle of Waikiki is simply steps behind you. However whenever you cross the brink 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 environment as you make your approach 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 together with your favourite drink in hand and take within the spectacular view.

There’s been a lodge on this website since 1907 when it was generally known as the Hau Tree, a foremost 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 And not using a Key,” which launched detective Charlie Chan to the world (whose exploits have been impressed by real-life Honolulu detective Chang Apana). In a case of life imitating artwork, Home And not using a Key’s now the identify of one in every of 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 have been gone, although the historic foremost 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 structure over the 5-plus acres makes it really feel extra like a smaller boutique lodge, with low-rise steps and plush 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 thought for his or her attentive service; “I really feel I’m handled like royalty right here,” a fellow visitor advised 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; whenever 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 delight of their work, translating right into a superior visitor expertise. “We all know that our friends might keep wherever on the earth, and so they have chosen to stick with us. We are going to do our greatest to fulfill or exceed their expectations,” stated Rage Day, a longtime server at Home And not using a Key.

When the 129-year-old Kiawe tree in Home And not using a Key’s patio fell over in August 2016 as a consequence of 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 produced 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 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 And not using 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 friends are welcomed with a fruit plate of papaya and bananas, and whenever 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 — equivalent to “From what we can’t maintain the celebs are made,” by creator William S. Merwin.

Meals and Drink

Home And not using 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 And not using 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 luxurious acai bowl, crammed with native tropical fruits, and the bakery basket that includes freshly baked croissants and muffins.

If you happen to’re keen on 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 may as well 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 foremost constructing, Tuesday via Saturday.

At 5 p.m., Home And not using a Key’s cocktail seating begins, the patio coming to life with the beautiful sounds of a Hawaiian music trio. Be sure you catch famend hula dancer Kanoe Miller (an everyday on the lodge since 1977), who seems most Fridays and Saturdays; her swish 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 And not using 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 could 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 recent lime juice, and it’s very rum-forward; it’s the way in which I believe it was meant to be as a cocktail.” (I totally agree.)

There’s additionally a tempting collection of appetizers: the delectable ahi tataki, the evenly sweetened hoisin coconut ribs, and the all the time 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 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 file.” Appetizers are additionally out there.

La Mer presents 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. Be sure you go away 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 joyful to clarify why the particular pairings have 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 primary heart of exercise. At 82 ft 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) 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 advisable.

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 brief 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 Seashore is used for the free every day surf demonstrations provided to friends, and also you’ll see catamarans touchdown on the seashore all through the day, taking friends on brief cruises. Excursions could be booked via the concierge. An artwork gallery, health heart with yoga studio, and enterprise heart are additionally out there.

The Spa

Throughout my go to, SpaHalekulani was within the means of renovation, although restricted companies have been nonetheless out there, together with massages, facials, and hair and nail companies.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Halekulani has a variety of accessible visitor rooms and suites which are ADA-compliant. The lodge has discontinued using single-use plastic water bottles within the visitor rooms and now presents Aloha Water, packaged in cartons produced from recyclable supplies. Different sustainability efforts embrace altering mattress linens solely each three days (although extra frequent service could 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 exterior the world.

Methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Halekulani friends are provided 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. Be sure you take the complimentary “Coronary heart of the Home” tour, which presents a behind-the-scenes take a look at the lodge, together with a peek at what the deluxe suites appear to be. Throughout the vacation season, the “12 Days of Christmas Countdown” program presents particular every 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 presents quite a lot of packages with particular charges.