Halepuna Waikiki

My wife and I stayed two nights at Halepuna Waikiki and it exceeded our expectations in almost every way. The hotel is beautiful and the service was attentive and responsive from the time we arrived through checkout. Our deluxe ocean view room was comfortably sized and thoughtfully designed with an...

My wife and I stayed two nights at Halepuna Waikiki and it exceeded our expectations in almost every way. The hotel is beautiful and the service was attentive and responsive from the time we arrived through checkout. Our deluxe ocean view room was comfortably sized and thoughtfully designed with an efficient layout, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and a clean, modern bathroom that included a spacious shower/tub and a Japanese-style toilet. The balcony was also comfortably sized. It was a truly relaxing space. Overall, we found the atmosphere at Halepuna calm and sophisticated. The pool area, in particular, is a highlight. It was not overly crowded, even though we were there on a weekend, and the poolside service was excellent. However, I must address the one glaring flaw: the hotel's commitment to playing early-'90's smooth jazz in all common areas, including the pool and gym. It's as if they found a single CD from 1993 and decided that was the vibe for eternity. The music doesn't just set a mood; it actively haunts your soul. It's the kind of soundtrack that feels strategically chosen to repel anyone under the age of 50. I half-expected to see a contract on the wall stating that Kenny G and his soprano sax were the official, binding soundscape of the property... That said, if you can mentally block out the relentless smooth-jazz invasion, everything else about this hotel is outstanding. If they ever update the playlist, this place will be flawless!!

I booked through the American Express Hotel Collection, and I really don’t think Halepuna Waikiki is a good value. Positives - The rooms are modern, and everything inside them seemed pretty new. The lights are digitally controlled, and the blinds are motorized. They also had Toto bidet toilets. - The...

I booked through the American Express Hotel Collection, and I really don’t think Halepuna Waikiki is a good value. Positives - The rooms are modern, and everything inside them seemed pretty new. The lights are digitally controlled, and the blinds are motorized. They also had Toto bidet toilets. - The pool area was nice, and I thought the staff there were really helpful. The only downside of the pool area is that it’s kind of overshadowed by the Sheraton right next door, but it does have views of the ocean from the far end. - I thought the breakfast included through Amex at UMI was really good, and the staff were nice. I probably wouldn’t go, though, if it wasn’t included, as the cash price for the breakfast was pretty obscene. - They had some free amenities, such as reusable water bottles in the room with filling stations on the pool level. They also had beach towel service at the valet. Negatives - Unless you book an Ocean View, Deluxe Ocean View, or suite, most rooms have tiny Juliet balconies overlooking neighboring buildings, which are not functional for sitting or relaxing. These options feel underwhelming for the price point. - There are some very unpleasant elderly staff working the front desk. Honestly, the whole front desk just gave me bad vibes—they definitely have a strict, rigid attitude that doesn’t feel synonymous with hospitality. - The room had very few toiletry amenities; you had to call housekeeping if you wanted anything like cotton swabs, etc. - There was a very loud employee protest at a neighboring hotel that started at 7 AM and lasted until late at night. The staff seemed indifferent to the disturbance, and I had to ask for earplugs at the front desk. - I don’t really think this place is a good value. Even with the Amex Hotel Collection, I didn’t receive that many benefits. I only received free breakfast, early check-in, and a hotel credit. They didn’t offer a room upgrade or late checkout. For the price—and considering this place isn’t oceanfront—you could definitely get a better deal just going back one street and staying on Kalakaua Avenue.