Overall Rating: 9/10 Location: Waikiki, Oahu Price: $$$-$$$$ Type: Hotel Best for: Solo, couples
Review Summary
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ No resort fee ✅ Close to everything ✅ Quiet and peaceful | ❌ Rooms are on the smaller side ❌ Parking fees ❌ No restaurants inside |
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani is a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Waikiki. The hotel is just steps from the beach, and it is within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and attractions. Renovated in 2019, the hotel has a modern design, and it features beautiful rooms and suites.
If you are looking for a luxurious and relaxing hotel in all of the bustle and bustle of the city, the Halepuna may be the right hotel for you.
Let’s get into our review!
Location: 10/10
The hotel is located in one of the best locations in our opinion. It’s just steps away from the beach and within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and local attractions. It’s also located right off of Kalakaua Ave., which makes it really easy to, but foot traffic isn’t as busy so it doesn’t seem like you’re pushing through an army just to get back to your room. The best part about this hotel is that it’s steps away from Kawehewehe, a small, secluded beach with the best view of the sunset.
Room : 9/10
No matter what room you end up booking at the Halepuna Waikiki, you can’t go wrong. We opted to stay in an Ocean View room, which consisted of two queen-sized beds and a small lanai. The entire space, including the lanai, ends up being about ~320 square feet, which can be a little small but felt fine for two people. If you’re looking to book for a family, you may need two rooms. That said, the amenities and equipment in the room include:
- 50-inch Flat Screen TV
- WiFi Internet access
- In-room safe
- Adjustable air conditioning system
- Room shade with remote control
- Light control panel,
- Charging station at bedside and dresser (USB, Bluetooth, and HDMI)
- Refrigerator
- Iron and ironing board
- Coffee/tea maker
- Slippers
- Robe
Bed and Quality of Sleep : 8/10
Something that’s really important to us when choosing a hotel is the bed and the quality of sleep we get from that bed. When we’re on vacation, getting a good night’s sleep is what keeps us energized to explore the next day. It should be a place where we can unwind and truly get sleep we wouldn’t be able to if we were at home. Out of all the hotels we’ve ever stayed in Waikiki, the Halepuna has been the best yet.
Bathroom: 9/10
The bathrooms at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani are spacious and luxurious. The bathrooms feature marble countertops, soaking tubs, showers, and an electric bidet. They also include the usual bathroom amenities like shampoo, body wash, conditioner, lotion, a hair dryer, etc.
Service: 10/10
The staff at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani are friendly and super attentive! They’re willing to help you with anything you may need, and you’re always greeted with a smile no matter the time of day. The service we received at this hotel may be one of the best we’ve ever had when staying on O’ahu.
Food: 7/10
This category has our lowest rating because besides cocktails at the pool/bar and some light snacks, there aren’t any restaurants that are located in the hotel. You can visit their sister hotel, the Halekulani, for a wide variety of food options but you’d have to leave the hotel for that. To be clear this isn’t a rating because the food isn’t delicious, if we were rating on taste alone it would be a 10/10.
Hotel Amenities: 9/10
The Halepuna has the usual amenities you would expect from a hotel including:
- Pool and sun deck
- Spa
- The Garden
- Fitness Studio
- Business Center
- Meeting Room
- Guest laundry
The hotel also provides beach bags and towels if you’re planning on doing a beach day outside of the hotel.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Overall, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani is a great place to stay if you are looking for a luxurious and relaxing vacation in the middle of all of the hustle in bustle of the city. The hotel is located in a great location, the rooms are modern and luxurious, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the food (while not on premise) is delicious.
Ready to plan the rest of your Oahu vacation? Check out our other blog posts on a 5 Day Oahu Itinerary and Where to Eat in Waikiki for more ideas as you plan your trip to Hawaii!
