This is a truly amazing hotel. Wonderful oasis in the heart of Honolulu, and on the whole service was truly excellent - exactly what you would expect from a 5* hotel. Very relaxing. Restaurants were excellent - relaxed, great food, helpful and attentive staff. Was able to walk in to the spa with no booking, again great service. Nice rooms, not huge, but fine. As others mentioned, a strange arrangement where the wardrobe open one side into the bedroom, the other to the bathroom, but I had no problem with that. Children loved the back of the house tour.

My only disappointment was some (i.e. 2) of the pool staff. Went down at lunchtime to the pool and found all sunbeds "taken". I asked the pool attendant for some loungers in the shade, and he claimed there was none available, laying them out in the sunniest part of the garden, well away from the pool (I had also asked to be close to the pool so I could watch my children whilst they were in the pool). It was clear that many of the loungers, including those in the shady part by the pool were not being used for several hours, and no attempt was made to free these up for guests who were around. It was the manner of the attendant I found so disappointing and completely out of character will ALL the other staff in the hotel.

We arrived at the Halekulani for our honeymoon on 6/10/08. We were disappointed upon arriving with the crowded area, with so many hotels and buildings on top of one another, and the construction that was going on right across the street. We hoped that the hotel and room itself would be better. But our room turned out to be unimpressive for the money that we paid.

We had an oceanview room, but barely had a distant side view of the ocean. The rooms directly face each other, so although the balcony is nice, you are facing other people who can easily see in to your room unless curtains are closed at all times. The room was average and small. It is definitely not worth the over $500/night that we paid. As a young couple, it was a huge splurge for us to spend so much on our honeymoon. But we did it because we wanted the best. The Halekulani was not it.

There are hotels all along the beach that are just as nice and have just as much beach access...and cost a lot less. I know this because I spent weeks researching before we made the purchase. The Halekulani seemed secluded and above other Waikiki hotels, but we really didn't get what was so "special" about it. The bath salts, cheap "sparkling wine" (not even real champagne), and fruit did not make a difference to us.

Being so disappointed after spending a huge chunk of savings on this room, we first attempted to speak with the Halekulani and see if we could get a better room. They were not very accomodating, offering only to charge us double to move us to a bigger suite. We next called American Express and luckily they were able to get us a refund for the majoriity of our reservation. We left Halekulani and went to Turtle Bay resort on the North Shore and found everything we were looking for...for less. A private cottage on the beach that was over twice the size, with a better view, and much more romantic!

My wife and I stayed here for four nights as part of our honeymoon in early May. It was the perfect place to be pampered by the pool after enjoying a week on the more rural/exploratory/hands-on island of Kauai. I booked this place based on the reviews on tripadvisor and its reputation of having top-notch service, and I must say our expectations were exceeded. Everything is classy about this place, from the grounds, to the staff, to the restaurants, to the other guests. The pool is wonderful and typically free of screaming children (we as newlyweds needed to savor what precious time we have left), the breakfast buffet at House Without a Key (which was included in our sunrise oceanfront package) was absolutely delicious, La Mer was great. We appreciated all the little gifts, especially the welcome bottle of champagne which we promptly consumed on the lovely bacony. After a day by the pool (I will say the beach reminded me too much of a sand box, not as appealing as the beaches we went to on Kauai, which of course is to be expected. But if you want beach, it is there, and it's certainly usable, and the water is great), nothing, absolutely nothing could top having a shower and enjoying a few beers on the balcony while the mellow Hawaiin three piece band serenaded from the grounds below before heading out to somewhere like Nobu across the street for dinner. It truly was the life. Just relax by day and enjoy all the things happening in Honolulu by night. I tend to enjoy a fair amount of alcohol by the pool on my vacations, but I must say, their vanilla milk shake was mind-blowingly delcious and refreshing--do yourself a favor and order one by the pool. It was the perfect end to a perfect honeymoon, I couldn't recommend it more.

Visiting Honolulu to celebrate my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary--we chose the Halekulani hotel for its perfect location, and understated accomodations. It was the amazing service we received that will bring us back.

Check in took place in the room rather than in the lobby. The hotel had offered us a choice of an ocean front room or a suite. We chose the suite, which was not quite ready at 1pm---so they allowed us to use the room to relax.

When the concierge staff found out about our special family event--they made flower leis for us to give to my parents. Our pool attendant knew where to set up our chairs each morning to get the most sun--and our server at cocktail time remembered that we liked special crackers with our drinks.... everything about our stay made us feel unique and welcomed. The Halekulani is an amazing property and we look forward to returning.