Review: Halekulani Hotel, Waikiki

This oceanfront hotel is where the soul of old Hawaii sings.

Named for its meaning in Hawaiian — “house befitting heaven” — this elegant retreat, nestled amidst palms and perfumed plumeria, has quietly held court for over a century.

And while the tempo of Waikiki has quickened around it, one step inside Halekulani’s whitewashed oasis and the city melts away — replaced by the hush of waves, the rustle of trade winds, and at sunset, the soft strings of slack-key guitar accompanied by the slow, hypnotic sway of hula.

One step inside Halekulani’s whitewashed oasis and the city melts away

Location

Though its spirit feels worlds away, Halekulani sits in the heart of bustling Waikiki. Just one block inland, Kalakaua Avenue pulses with high-end boutiques, tourist-filled eateries, and the vibrant rhythm of modern Hawaii. Back at Halekulani, however, the neon gives way to nuance — and the gentle, golden age of Hawaii lingers in every detail.

Halekulani sits in the heart of bustling Waikiki, right by the ocean

When it’s time to explore, Halekulani’s For You, Everything program offers guests complimentary access to nearby cultural landmarks, including Ê»Iolani Palace, the Bishop Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art and more. For wave worshippers, the resort’s Surf 101 class — one of Waikiki’s best-kept secrets — offers free beginner lessons on the neighbourhood’s famous surf breaks that roll right onto the beach where this ocean-front hotel hovers.

Waikiki Beach

The lowdown

Halekulani began life as a modest seaside cottage, later transformed by Juliet and Clifford Kimball in the 1920s into one of Hawaii’s most gracious stays. The hotel’s signature “Dickey roof” — designed by American architect C.W. Dickey to harness the island’s trade winds — still crowns the original mansion building, preserved through the resort’s thoughtful 1980s restoration by Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. which added 453 luxury rooms.

Today, Halekulani remains a timeless icon — where elegance its effortless, and every detail is quietly considered across its prime 5-acre beachfront footprint. Across the street, its modern sister property Halepuna offers a chic alternative, while the newly opened Halekulani Okinawa extends the brand’s legacy across the Pacific.

Every detail is quietly considered across its prime 5-acre beachfront footprint

Upon arrival

Check-in feels more like an exhale. A cool towel, chilled juice, and a warm welcome by name set the tone. The open-air lobby leads me into the hotels lush gardens where the showpiece pool —  flanked by sun lounges and parasols, is tiled in a shimmering Cattleya orchid mosaic that glows softly after dark.

The hotel's open-air lobby

The room

My Oceanfront King Room is designed to showcase the ever-changing blue beyond, with a centrally placed lanai, sun loungers, and a small table inviting immersion. The resort’s signature “seven shades of white” palette informs interiors, blending creams, ivories, and eggshells, offset by muted coastal blues, natural textures and wooden shutters echoing a relaxed ocean vibe.

Ocean front king bed room at Halekulani

Frette linens dress the bed; behind white shuttered doors, a deep soaking tub and separate rain shower offer a quiet retreat. SpaHalekulani’s signature Maile (organic macadamia, Kukui nut, hibiscus and orchid) scented amenities complete the ritual.

Every detail feels intentional — from the welcome fruit plate, discreet Nespresso nook to the Toto bidet, high-speed Wi-Fi, and locally curated art. At turndown, a small gesture appears: a handwritten note, a pillow spray, or a keepsake. Here, luxury is subtle and soulful, never loud.

Every detail feels intentional

Dining

Dining at Halekulani carries both the joy of occasion and a reverence for tradition.

At sunset, House Without A Key becomes the resort’s gathering place — where legendary mai tai meets ageless Hawaiian guitar melodies and hula danced beneath a 130-year-old Kiawe tree. Since the 1970s, former Miss Hawaii titleholders have carried on this oceanfront ritual with Leahi (Diamond Head) glowing in the distance. Feasting here includes shared plates filled with local seafood packed Lawai’a rolls, delectable hoisin coconut ribs and array of exceptional pizzas.

House Without A Key's Lawai’a Rolls. Picture: Narelle Bouveng

For refined island-French cuisine, La Mer — still the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Hawaii — delivers everything from service, cuisine, wine list and ocean view flawlessly. Prefer casual elegance? Orchids’ coastal Italian-inspired menu offers for all-day dining, or lingering over a lavish Sunday brunch with obligatory mimosas.

La Mer is still the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Hawaii

For something even more relaxed, Earl’s Pool Bar offers casual open-air bites (don’t miss the crab and shrimp lollipops), while Lewers Lounge, named for original landowner Robert Lewers, invites you to sip some of Honolulu’s finest cocktails while swaying to live jazz nightly. Wherever you dine, be sure to save room for Halekulani’s signature coconut cake — light as air and layered with amaretto pastry cream and flaked coconut. It’s available at every dining outlet, including the Halekulani Bakery across the street. Prefer your dessert in a glass? Try the Coconut Cake Martini or the Coconut Old Fashioned — both inspired by this iconic treat.

Halekulani Bakery across the street

The extras

Halekulani’s beauty runs deeper than aesthetics. Sustainability is quietly woven into its fabric — from filtered water stations to EcoPure amenities and SpaHalekulani's partnership with Green Circle Salons, which reduces salon waste.

Accessibility, too, is handled with care — subtle, seamless, and inclusive by design. And the service? Many staff have been here for decades. Their warmth is not scripted, it’s engaging and generous — blending both professionalism and true aloha.

SpaHalekulani's boutique

What’s hot

SpaHalekulani’s new wellness space includes NASA-designed zero-gravity pedicure chairs and a Welnamis Vibroacoustic Table. Choose “restore” to have what’s said to be the equivalent of a full night’s sleep delivered in under 30 minutes. The ultimate cure for jet lag? Watch this space.

What’s not

The weak Aussie dollar makes poolside cocktails seem like a splurge — especially when accounting for the 20% service charge automatically added as a tip.

The Verdict: 9/10

In a city that often runs at full tilt, Halekulani is a pleasant pause — a place where elegance comes easy and time seems to indulgently stretch. The golden age of Hawaiian is celebrated here, but also effortlessly fused with modern comforts today’s discerning traveller expects.

Garden View rooms start from $1373.00 per night and Ocean View rooms start from $1,860 plus taxes.

The writer travelled as a guest of Halekulani and Hawaii Tourism.

Originally published as Review: Halekulani Hotel, Waikiki