Royal Hawaiian - Trip Report

100   Recommended
September 3, 2001 by

 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended
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The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended

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I booked a few nights at the Royal Hawaiian at the SPG35 rate of $217. That guaranteed a 'Historic Garden View'. I had also secured our first night with a free Saturday award, making our average nightly cost below $150(3 nights) - quite a good deal for this property.

We arrived to the "Pink Palace" at 6:15am, but this was fine because we started our reservation the prior night for the sole reason that we'd be arriving early the next AM and did not want to have to wait for a room.

We pulled into the lush, serene, tropical driveway. Even at that hour, the valet staff was very quick, responsive and friendly.

The check-in clerk was just as pleasant to deal with as the valets. He asked us where we arrived from, how our trip went, etc. He also acknowledged my Platinum status and pointed out that we were upgraded to an oceanview room as he handed us the room keys.

The hotel was pretty quiet at this early hour, but nonetheless quite beautiful. It exudes its 'pink palace' namesake in all the decorations, products, etc.

After a lengthy walk to the elevator, we took it to the 4th floor in what I finally realized was the Tower part of the property(as opposed to the Historic part). The hallway was very worn and tired, the room was as bland as a stale cracker, with the exception of the good view of the Pacific. The balcony was pretty sizeable, but there was painting going on outside, so the mobile painters scafold was hung next to our balcony. The bed was also pretty hard. The Platinum amenity was a loaf of Banana bread - a local flaire. I thought this was a nice touch.

I began to wonder if the Historic Garden view I confirmed might have been a nicer room. I'm sure a Historic Ocean View would have been primo, but I DID only book a Historic Garden view, so an oceanview upgrade was a nice gesture. I didn't request to be moved. We just wanted to sleep from the red-eye we took in from Tahiti.

When we awoke after a 4 hour refresher nap, we hit the beach. The very polite pool attendants had the towels we needed, and after surveying the crowded beach, we decided on some chairs by the pool. Plus, we could order food/drinks there. The waitstaff was always quick, available and courteous.

As a diversionary side note, for happy hour on Sundays, definitely go next-door to Duke's Bar at the Waikiki Outrigger. It's a real hip, rockin' beachfront scene with music, drink specials and a good crowd.

Or, for something a little less noisy, just a few steps down the beach from the pool on the hotel grounds is the famous Mai Tai bar. Supposedly, the Mai Tai drink was created here. Who knows if it's true, but they certainly were potent - both on the brain and wallet($7.25)! It is on the beach, and a great place to watch the sunset.

We looked into attending the big hotel Luau, but turned it down when a.) they were full and b.)it's $60 per person! It's held in the adjacent lawn next to the Mai Tai bar on the property and looks very much like an outdoor banquet. A band plays on stage and, of course, hula dancers are plentiful. We could see it all from the bar with our drinks and snacks. To me, this was a far better choice than a sit-down, formal banquet/buffet style dinner with a lot of other tourists.

Back in the hotel, whenever we called for our car, it was always waiting for us when we got downstairs. The reception and concierge were always helpful with any questions we had.

The Royal Hawaiian is definitely top-notch and its location is perfect since it's in the midst of all the Waikiki action (shopping, restaurants, etc). Yet, it's also offset from the main street - making it more pleasant and giving a feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle.

If I go back to Honolulu, though, I might insist on a Historic room - even it is a Garden view - unless the Tower rooms go through renovations. I also might consider going 2 doors down to the Moana.

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