Our FAVORITE RESORTS for:
BEACHES
SPAS
SERVICE
ROOMS
GOLF
SNORKELING
DINING
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE

Halekulani

Halekulani, which means "House Befitting Heaven", is an apt description of this luxurious Hawaiian property. Halekulani is a magnificent 453-room oceanfront hotel situated in the heart of historic Waikiki on the island of Oahu. Halekulani was founded in 1907 as a residential hotel and has a rich history throughout the 20th century as a luxury retreat for vacationers. Halekulani today has been transformed, thanks to renovations during the early 1980's, into a modern, world-class hotel that combines new world luxury with old world Hawaiian charm. This resort provides sophisticated luxury and service at the center of the action and excitement of Waikiki.

At Halekulani, the service makes you feel as if you were an old friend returning to a comfortable, inviting place. There is a feeling of exclusivity at this property that is not found anywhere else on Oahu. You can have it all at Halekulani. World-class dining, outstanding service and complete relaxation on property, all just steps away from the shopping and excitement that make Waikiki a worldwide destination.

Here's our lowdown on Halekulani

- Our Favorites -

Lobby at Halekulani

SERVICE - Halekulani is a blend of flawless personalized service and old world Hawaiian elegance. Our journey began upon arrival at the resort with a personalized greeting from the bell staff. Our check-in was effortless and we received a personal tour of the grounds as we were escorted to our room. The service at the dining room always showed a personal touch, whether the environment was formal at La Mer or more casual at House Without a Key. The service at the pool just blew us away. We were greeted the moment we stepped into the pool area and were set-up with towels on the incredibly comfortable lounges. The service by the wait staff at the pool, like all other staff at Halekulani, was impeccable. Everywhere on the grounds of Halekulani, we were met with exquisite service that was both gracious and elegant.

Pool at Halekulani!

POOL - Our experience at the Halekulani pool was absolutely spectacular. The pool is a haven of quiet and calm among the backdrop of energetic Waikiki. Upon arrival at the pool, we were immediately greeted by the staff and set up for our day. There were plenty of lounge chairs to choose from (very, very comfortable I might add!), all with amazing ocean views. The staff would almost magically appear when we were in need of anything. Great tropical drinks and delicious casual fare made our afternoon relaxing and enjoyable. If you love to be pampered, you will love the pool at Halekulani. Terrific service, warm sunshine and amazing views make the experience at Halekulani pool among the best in the world!

DINING - Halekulani offers three distinct restaurants, each with their own style and ambiance. Each restaurant is located oceanfront, so you will have amazing views regardless of which dining option you choose.

La Mer

Celebrating a one of a kind blend of French and Hawaiian cuisine, La Mer embodies the elegance and style that is Halekulani. This award winning restaurant is an unsurpassed, fine dining experience with all the flavors, views and service that make Halekulani a unique Hawaiian luxury experience. Remember to dress for this elegant dining experience, as long-sleeved shirts or jackets are required for gentleman.

Orchids

Orchids provides a relaxed, yet elegant dining experience and is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. We especially enjoyed the seafood and local fish that was prepared with a uniquely Hawaiian flair. The ocean views make this a favorite setting to absorb all the beauty of Hawaii while enjoying a combination of unmatched flavors and service that only Halekulani can provide. Orchids is a great option if you are looking for a more casual dining environment but still want all the great tastes of Hawaii.

House Without a Key

House Without a Key is an open air restaurant providing indoor/outdoor dining that incorporates beautiful views, great service and a diverse menu with a focus on local flavors. We choose a light snack and a signature mai tai at noon and soaked up all the laid-back tropical vibes. Don't forget House Without a Key when considering your dining options!

International Market

SHOPPING - The shopping near Halekulani is perhaps the best you will find in any tropical location. Located a short stroll from Halekulani are shops from such world class brands as Hermes, Kate Spade, Bvlgari, Cartier, Channel, Fendi, Gucci and many more. But the shopping is not limited to luxury names. At the international market, an island tradition, you can find over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands, in this open-air, casual setting. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs or gifts at low prices (don't forget to use your bargaining skills!). There really is something for everybody when it comes to shopping in Waikiki.

OTHER ACTIVITIES - Another terrific feature of being centrally located in Waikiki at Halekulani is that you have so many activities to choose from. There is snorkeling at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, touring the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, visiting the Bishop Museum, touring the Polynesian Cultural Center, visiting the Dole Pineapple Plantation, hiking to the top of Diamond Head crater or a drive to North Shore to see world famous Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline. These adventures along with all the ocean activities plus all the excitement of Waikiki, means you will never be bored when staying at Halekulani.

Sunset Entertainment
at House Without a Key

DON'T MISS :
Sunset at House Without a Key - One of our favorite experiences when we are on vacation is to enjoy sunset with a relaxing tropical drink. House Without a Key is located oceanfront and has a relaxing vibe and magnificent views of Waikiki and Diamond Head. When we arrived for a sunset cocktail, we were led to an excellent table in the front. I don't know if we were just lucky or Halekulani saves better table for the guests actually staying at the resort, but we received one of the best tables to enjoy the Hawaiian entertainment. Seeing how Halekulani seems to anticipate everything at this gorgeous resort, we suspect that our perfect table was just another example of the first-rate service that is a trademark of Halekulani. Make sure you don't miss a sunset cocktail at House Without a Key!

- Other Good Stuff -

Room at Halekulani

Bathroom at Halekulani

Room - Our room was a spacious, Partial Ocean View room with a comfortable sitting area, luxury bathroom and large lanai that is ideal for enjoying the wonderful Waikiki views. The lanai was complete with comfortable lounge chairs and we loved sitting outside and relaxing in the warm tropical climate. The bathroom had exceptional amenities and a separate shower and luxurious soaking tub. The decor throughout the room was what we would call contemporary Hawaiian elegance. The rooms have all the modern amenities and luxuries we expected from a resort of this caliber, but with a distinctly Hawaiian flavor. We suggest a room with an ocean view as the vistas of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean are truly amazing and worth any additional investment. We felt our room was our own private sanctuary in an oasis of luxury and service that is Halekulani.

Spa - SpaHalekulani offers a wide array of services including massage and body treatments, most with a decidedly Pacific Island flair. The service at SpaHalekulani exceeds the exceptional standards that are set by Halekulani. After a day of enjoying all the excitement of Waikiki and Honolulu, SpaHalekulani is the perfect place to achieve total calm and relaxation.

- And Our Not so Favorite Things -

Beach - Our problem with the beach was ... well ... that there really was no beach. There is a small sandy area in front of the resort, but not what we call a traditional beach with lounge chairs or beach service. Halekulani is just a short walk from Waikiki or Kahanamoku Beach, so you still can enjoy the beautiful beach, just not right in front of the resort. Since we are such "beach people" this would normally be a problem. But Halekulani is so exceptional that we were able to overlook this one issue. In fact, the pool was so glorious; I didn't miss the beach at all.

Cost -Is something expensive if you think it is worth every penny? We don't have money to waste, so we always are aware of the cost of our vacations. Halekulani is expensive and folks traveling to this resort should be prepared the cost. The rooms and dining options are pricey and we think it is important to point this out. But the beauty, quality and level of service make it worth the price and then some!

Resort Information

Halekulani - [Link to Hotel Website]
2199 Kalia Road
Honolulu, HI 96815

Hotel Photos
Room Rates
Accommodations
Special Packages

Resort Room Prices
When we travel, we always look for the best deal and do not mind traveling during the off season to get the lower prices. This means you may not get to travel at the optimal times based on Temperatures and Rainfall (see charts below). At Halekulani, the rack rates are consistent throughout the year, but during the lower seasons we were able to find some very good deals. During the summer months and holiday seasons, we expect to pay more (as is the case for most of Hawaii).

Packages and Special Offers - Many times you can save some money by taking advantage of packages that the Resorts offer. To see the latest packages that Halekulani is offering, please click the following link: Special Packages - Halekulani.

Map of Halekulani

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Weather in Honolulu on Oahu

The weather in Waikiki, on the island of Oahu is your typical, tropical weather ... mild and beautiful year round. Oahu's weather is diverse, it can be cooler and wet in the mountains right above Waikiki while the sun is warm and dry and inviting on world famous Waikiki Beach. The most frequent forecast for Honolulu is cloudy or partly cloudy; this is because at some point in the day, you are probably going to get some clouds. But not to worry, this forecast is common for many areas in the tropics and doesn't necessarily mean rain. So be prepared for great weather in Waikiki, and remember if you do get some rain it usually doesn't last very long.

We have been to Oahu many times and rarely have had trouble with the weather. We have gone in early December and the weather is usually very nice. Any rain is usually just showers and many times we would be back out on the beach in an hour or so. We have always found the weather in Oahu to be great. If you go in the winter months, just realize you have a greater chance for rain, but remember, the sun is usually not far behind.

Click to See Larger Chart

Rainfall - Whenever we go on vacation, trying to avoid rain is always high on our list. My husband is especially fanatical about this. In Hawaii, you get the most rain in the winter months from November to March. But even in the wet months, the rain does not usually last very long. Also, there are many micro climates on Oahu; you can have rain in one area and dry weather in another. Waikiki is on the leeward side of the island that gets less rain than most places on Oahu. If you really want to avoid the chance of rain, the summer months offer the lowest rainfall. It can cost more to travel during the high season summer months, but if you really want to avoid rain, this might be a good option for you.

Click to See Larger Chart

Temperature - The chart at the right shows the average temperatures for Waikiki. As you would expect the average temperatures (as well as the humidity) increase fairly significantly in the June-October time frame. The trade winds that blow from the northeast provide some relief from the heat, but it can still get fairly hot in the summer. During the winter months, it can get a little cooler in the evening. It's probably a good idea to bring a sweater or light jacket. Otherwise, sit back and be prepared to enjoy the magnificent Hawaiian weather. Don't forget your sunscreen.

Before you go to Oahu, or anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands, it is always wise to keep a watch on the weather.

Check out the latest weather for Honolulu on Oahu:

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar | Hurricane Center

Hurricanes are not common for the Hawaiian Islands. Still, it is always good to keep watch on the weather before you leave for your tropical vacation.

To check for storms around Hawaii and the Central Pacific, please click the following link: National Hurricane Center: Central Pacific.

Or check the Accuweather Hurricane Center

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