Wayfinder Waikiki

The canal-facing room had a small balcony that I loved, and the location was a real plus. It felt away from the busiest tourist areas while still being near the beach and major attractions. Redfish was a lovely place to unwind, with some excellent food options. There’s also a coffee shop and restaurant on the main floor, and the pool is just behind them. It’s a good size, with a hot tub beside it that was nice to relax near in the evenings. They run daily pool activities like yoga and hula hoop dancing, which you can sign up for. The open, breezy design feels carefully thought through, from the decor to the overall look. It doesn’t have that generic commercial hotel feel. Check-in was easy, and if you leave early, reception can hold your bags. We didn’t have a car, so parking wasn’t an issue, though I believe valet is a whopping $55. I’d definitely recommend this place for a unique, peaceful stay.

The main drawbacks were the long waits for the elevators, since only one was working, and how claustrophobic they felt. The room walls are thin too, so we could hear conversations from nearby rooms. They do provide earplugs, though. For the price, I thought the hotel was good value. The pool area was clean and beautiful, and there was a huge free container of SPF. Lost & Found, the bar next to the pool, had a great happy hour and friendly bartenders. The valet service was efficient, the poke at the hotel restaurant was delicious, and all the workers we met were so nice. We also found the Hawaiians we interacted with had such positive energy. It’s a cute, well-appointed boutique hotel within walking distance of the beach.

The pool, poolside bar, restaurant, and cafe were the highlights for me. They all had a nice vibe, the menu was good, and the pool had a stylish look, a hot tub, and plenty of loungers that were almost always available when we went. Each guest also gets one drink token at check-in. The front desk staff were courteous, and the location worked well: about a 10-minute walk to the beach and close to the international market. Our room was relatively small compared with standard hotels in the same price range. There’s no guest self-service laundry on site, which was a real hurdle for us. The dedicated car lane by check-in was narrow and congested, with no well-organized place to wait in the vehicle while friends or bags were being sorted. We booked through Chase Travel. It cost quite a bit more there, but included perks like breakfast for each guest each day and a $100 hotel credit per stay. There were complimentary drinks and snacks in the room at check-in too, though I’m not sure if that came specifically from Chase.

I liked the cozy boutique Hawaiian decor, which gave the hotel a young, laid-back feel. There were complimentary goodies in my room after check-in, and I liked seeing the schedule of classes because it made the place feel lively. The staff were responsive, as friendly as they could be, and seemed to be doing their best to meet guests’ needs. I appreciated that. I was in room 1201, a premium corner room with a view, and could hear the street, corridor, and my neighbor’s extremely loud TV or kids screaming at the top of their lungs. Thankfully, they stopped during sleeping hours. Earplugs in the bathroom can help with noise, though they’re uncomfortable if you sleep on your side. If you’re sensitive to sound, it could be 100% unbearable, LOL. The walls are thin, and the cleaning wasn’t immaculate either. I spotted a hair on the shower wall. The pillows were flat, and stacking them still wasn’t very comfortable or supportive. I’d rather have one fluffy pillow that supports my head. I would stay again for the value, beach proximity, and this premium room with a view. In a smaller room, I’d absolutely go crazy if I constantly heard neighbors, traffic, and wind outside.