Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani

We had a toddler with us, and this worked really well as a family setting while still offering the amenities adults want. The pool had a nice view, and the hot tub was great. Getting towels was easy and prompt, and they had nice umbrellas for rainy weather. The ocean view was insanely beautiful. Our room was impeccably clean, and there were nice holiday events during our stay. Service was straightforward, responsive, and on top of things. I'd recommend asking for the slippers, they're sturdy and you can take them home.

Get the ocean room. It was perfect, though a bit pricey, and after spending most of the trip there, I could really feel the difference from the mountain view room. From the 17th floor, the so-called mountain view was mostly a parking garage and hotel towers. Bass thumped through the walls all night, even though it was one floor above our first room. I know noise can happen near town, but Halepuna isn't even that central. I'd choose occasional traffic noise over that constant thumping any day. The bedding also felt less comfortable. Try for a south-facing room to avoid the worst of the noise. To me, the standard and mountain rooms don't offer enough comfort or value for their price. The ocean room at Halepuna may suit you if you want a more modern room, a bidet, and good A/C, but personally I'd choose a hotel nearer the main beaches. They're slowly renovating the rooms. We had two rooms because we extended our original stay. I asked ahead about adding a couple of nights, but the front desk said our room wouldn't be available on checkout day, though it'd be free the day after. Maybe it was a system glitch, or maybe someone really booked it for less than 24 hours, but I could've been unlucky. The receptionist was quick and firm, so I didn't push. I was disappointed to have to pack and move everything, with no acknowledgment of the hassle even though we'd already paid a lot. I had hoped they'd make the extension comfortable, but maybe that service is only for Halekulani guests. They treated it as a separate booking and rates had gone up since we booked months earlier. I was also told to book through third parties for a better rate, which added hassle and stress. I wish the hotel had offered to match prices for a direct booking. I thought a cheaper room for two nights wouldn't be a big deal, but I would've liked an easier way to add those nights. The room change itself went smoothly. They let us know in the morning when the new room was ready, before checkout time for our first room, which I appreciated.

We had a mix-up with the room I'd booked over Christmas, but Halepuna made things right. Special thanks to Joshua and Gina at the bell desk, who were kind, friendly, and efficient. The rooms were clean and very nice, the amenities were great, and it was quiet at night so we slept well. Halekulani Bakery is amazing and a must visit. We'd definitely stay here again.

The infinity pool and unforgettable ocean view made the stay feel serene and refined. Even the elevator wait was easy, never more than 1-2 minutes. Every detail felt considered. Thanks especially to Miles and the welcoming front desk team. We'd return in a heartbeat.