Halekulani – Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands.
I have been fortunate in my travel career to stay and visit many fine hotels all around the globe but for the last 25 years my favourite hotel in the world is the stunning and memorable Halekulani. The name Halekulani translates from Hawaiian into “House Befitting Heaven” …how true! I must admit I often fondly refer to it as “House Befitting Julie”!
From the moment you arrive at the Halekulani you know you have arrived somewhere special. As you walk into the open air lobby you can see the beautiful pool with the Orchid Mosaic and also the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
There is no checking in at the lobby or standing in queues, instead you are escorted to your room to be checked in by one of the Halekulani’s warm guest services members. At night you are left a beautiful shell on your bed as part of the turn down service with a warm note. I still have all of mine.
Immortalized in a 1925 Charlie Chan novel, House Without A Key is Halekulani's gathering spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, appetizers and entertainment. One of the favoured traditions of the original Halekulani — cocktails and Hawaiian music under the century-old Kiawe tree — is faithfully preserved here with nightly Hawaiian music and graceful former Miss Hawaii dancers. You must also try one of their signature Mai Tai’s or my favourite the Chi Chi, accompanied by Pupus (appetisers).
The House Without A Key or Orchids is the perfect spot to catch the green flash which in all my time of visiting and living in Hawaii, I only saw once. If the horizon is unobstructed by clouds and the conditions are right, a second after the sun sets you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse. And if not, it’s still a good excuse to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset!
Orchids, Halekulani’s beachfront restaurant is famous for its Sunday Breakfast. I love this spot for breakfast or lunch.
To give you an idea of this property’s dedication to customer satisfaction, on one of my stays, I mentioned to the Director of Sales that I could hear the phone ring from the room below mine. To my great pleasure the next year when I stayed you could not hear a single phone ring.
In a nutshell, the best way I can describe this beautiful hotel is to say it’s not a hotel but “an experience”. You will never forget your stay at the “House Befitting Heaven”.
The Halekulani is a member of the Virtuoso Program so when you book through MTA you currently receive special amenities such as a daily breakfast for 2 in either Orchids or the House Without A Key, US$75.00 one-off credit to be used at the property and a complimentary next category upgrade at time of booking for Partial Ocean View rooms and above.*
*Terms and conditions apply.