THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL LUXURY WITH ALOHA 2023

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THE BRIEF

 

PICTURE FRONT ENTRANCE TO HOTEL
     

Many years ago I began travelling to Waikiki as part of my winter break and my search for the perfect beach hotel began. Over a period of time, I’ve been frequenting many different properties. There was one hotel on the beach that gave me what I can only describe as a spiritual vibe. It was once called Helumoa and was used only by the kings and queens of old Hawaiian royalty. In the 15th century, O’ahu ruler Ma’ilikūkahi relocated his court from central O’ahu to Waikiki. The abundance of fresh water made the area ideal for agriculture. Helumoa, meaning “chicken scratch,” was the name he bestowed on the planting that would multiply into a grove of over 10,000 trees. Part of that grove is now the ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL  which I found myself continually returning to year after year.     

PICTURE OF THE COCONUT GROVE ENTRANCE GARDEN SIDE
 

 

This has become my beach hotel of choice as a PRO TRAVEL BLOGGER. The “Pink Palace” as it is known, is listed as a 5-star luxury hotel and the resort has recently been picked up by MARRIOTT. My recent stay was phenomenal and all management and staff delivered service and care that was outstanding. It’s one of only a handful of hotels right on the beach in this part of the world. Great for walking out of your room through a wonderful garden area and sinking your feet into the sand or jumping in the ocean for an early morning dip.

 

PICTURE OF THE MAIN LOBBY HISTORIC WEST WING AND IT'S SHOPS
MAIN LOBBY HISTORIC WEST WING

 

LARGE IMAGE OF THE HISTORIC OLD MAP OF THE ISLANDS BY THE ELEVATOR LOBBY
HISTORIC OLD MAP OF THE ISLANDS (ELEVATOR LOBBY)

 

PICTURE OF THE HISTORIC WING ELEVATOR LOBBY
HISTORIC ELEVATOR LOBBY

 

IMAGE OF THE  OCEAN GARDEN LOBBY
LOWER LOBBY ENTRANCE TO OCEAN LAWN

 

picture of the rocking chars in the ocean garden Lanai
OCEAN LAWN LANAI

 

PICTURE OF THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN GARDEN

 

 

PICTURE OF THE BEACH  AREA AT THE ROYAL
 

 

PICTURE OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE RESERVED AREA OF BEACH
 

The opening of The Royal Hawaiian on February 1, 1927, ushered in a new era of luxurious resort travel to Hawaii. The resort was built with a price tag of $4 million and was completed in 18 months. The six-story, 400-room structure was fashioned in a Spanish-Moorish style, popular during the period and influenced by screen star Rudolph Valentino. You can reserve a room in the HISTORIC WING or the MAILANI TOWER. They both offer a style of ambience all their own and can accommodate most tastes.

 

PICTURE OF THE HISTORIC WING AND MAILANI TOWER OCEANSIDE
OCEANSIDE HISTORIC WING AND MAILANI TOWER

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE

picture of the historic hotels plaque
picture of sign indicating directions

 

PICTURE OF ORIGINAL ARTIFACTS IN GLASS CASING

 

Today there are free historic tours available twice a week and even if you’re not a guest you can check out this beautiful property. One of the areas you will be guided through is frequently missed by guests and visitors alike. It’s like a stroll down memory lane and is located on the lower arcade level between the Royal Gym and Abhasa Spa. If you’re fortunate enough to get Kehaulani as the tour guide you will not only see everything but hear a detailed description of where it came from and how things were back in the day. Kehaulani, the Director of Guest Service, has been with the Royal for over forty years. She is incredibly knowledgeable and just a joy to listen to as you explore the grounds.

 

A PICTURE OF THE HALLWAY WITH THE MEMORABLIA
LOWER-LEVEL ARCADE HALLWAY OR MEMORY LANE

 

 

 

OPENING GALA 1927

 

 

ROOMS

PICTURE OF A DOOR IN THE HISTORIC WINGHISTORIC WING HANDCRAFTED DOOR

 

Something that highlights the uniqueness of this fine old gal is the doors in the historic wing. No two doors are identical, have been handcrafted from Narra wood, and feature the Hawaiian coat of arms.

 

picture off the elevator in the historic wing showing an old 1920's phone below painting of past hawaiian life

 

Each room in the Historic Wing offers a touch of 1920″s elegance mixed with modern-day conveniences such as large-screen TVs and high-speed WiFi. The vintage rooms are only about 300 square feet unless you’re fortunate enough to get one of the suites. The rooms in the Mailani Tower are a little more up-to-date but are also fairly small unless you opt for one of the suites.

 

PICTURE OF HISTORIC WING SUITE
HISTORIC WING SUITE

 

PICTURE OF THE BEDS IN THE SUITE

 

PICTURE OF THE SHOWER

 

VIEW FROM THE ROOM

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BEACH AND DIAMONDHEAD VIEW

 

 

ENTRANCE TO A MAILANI TOWER SUITE

 

MAILANI TOWER SUITE
PICTURE OF MAIN ROOM

 

MORE OF THE MAIN ROOM

 

PICTURE OF THE  KITCHENETTE

 

PICTURE OF THE BEDROOM

 

THE AMENITIES

The gym on the property is relatively small but does have enough equipment to do a basic workout. The good news is that you have access to the gym at the sister property right next door at the SHERATON WAIKIKI. A nice feature here is a fresh daily supply of apples and oranges to help start the day.

 

picture of entrance to the royal gym

 

ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL GYM

 

PICTURE OF THE CARDIO EQUIPMENT

 

PICTURE OF THE WEIGHT ROOM

 

picture of the sheraton waikiki gym

 

SHERATON WAIKIKI GYM

 

PICTURE OF THE CARDIO EQUIPMENT AT THE SHERATON

 

The Malulani Pool and Hot Tub is a fairly small circular affair in front of the Mailani Tower and just steps away from the beach. The average depth is around five feet, so it is more like a wading pool. Another option is again over at the Sheraton, which features the slightly larger Helumoa Playground Pool but often has a lot of children in it. North America’s longest oceanfront infinity pool is available for Royal Hawaiian guests. Sadly, a Steam or Sauna room is not available at either property.

 

SHERATON EDGE INFINITY POOL

 

 

ROYAL HAWAIIAN MALULANI POOL

 

picture of the spa's massage table

 

ABHASA OUTDOOR MASSAGE SECTION

 

ABHASA, which means “illusion” in Sanskrit, is noted for being the only spa on O’ahu that offers luxurious spa treatments in a serene tropical garden setting. A variety of treatments from classic to local massage styles, traditional to tropical facials, body wraps and cocoons, nail and hair salon services, and more can be found here.

picture of the garden area in the spa

 

 

 

RESTAURANTS

 

 

THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAKERY 

PICTURE OF THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAKERY.

 

Get your Pink Pancakes and the famous Banana Bread right here at the onsite bakery. I’ve eaten a Pink Palace full of banana muffins and can attest to the wonderful moist flavour they carry. The friendly staff here will be happy to help you select what you desire. They are open from early morning until noon.

PICTURE OF THE MENU AT THE BAKERY.

 

MAI LANAI LOUNGE

PICTURE OF THE SEATING IN THE MAI LANAI LOUNGE.

 

PICTURE OF THE SEATING IN THE MAI LANAI LOUNGE.

 

PICTURE OF THE SEATING IN THE MAI LANAI LOUNGE.

 

The Mai Lanai lounge is located on the lobby floor of the Mai Lanai Tower section in the ROYAL HAWAIIAN RESORT. It is a private section ( accessed by room key) for guests of the tower and Platinum card members of the MARRIOTT rewards program. The seating overlooks the pool area adjacent to the restaurant and bar area of the hotel’s historic wing and can comfortably accommodate thirty patrons.

 

 

 

AZURE

 

PICTURE OF THE AZURE SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE RESTAURANT.

 

PICTURE OF THE SEATING BY THE BAR IN AZURE.

PICTURE OF THE BAR IN AZURE.

 

The world-class AZURE restaurant is now serving dinner Wednesday thru Sunday. Enjoy a candlelight supper by the beach. The dress code is Resort Casual. As of this writing, there are two full-course menus being offered with one being a vegetarian.

 

SEATING AT THE AZURE BY THE BAR.

SEATING BY THE BAR IN AZURE.

 

ALFRESCO BEACHSIDE WAIKIKI

 

A PICTURE OF THE SURF LANAI ENTRANCE
SURF LANAI ENTRANCE

 

PICTURE OF SURF LANAI POOLSIDE AT THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL

 

 

SURF LANAI POOLSIDE

 

A PICTURE OF SURF LANAI BEACHSIDE AT THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL

 

 

SURF LANAI BEACHSIDE

 

SURF LANAI BUFFET BREAKFAST MENU     

If it’s breakfast or lunch by the beach you’re searching for in a relaxed and comfortable setting, the SURF LANAI has you covered. Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 11:00 and then Lunch starts at 11:30 and runs to 2:00 in the afternoon. Give it a try the next time you find yourself in Waikiki.

 

 

MAI TAI BAR

 

LEGENDARY WAIKIKI BEACH BAR 

 

SEATING AT THE BAR OF THE MAI TAI

 

 

 

SEATING AT THE MAI TAI BAR PATIO.

 

 

 

 

 A PICTURE OF THE MAI TAI BAR

 

 

A PICTURE OF THE MAI TAI BAR

 

 

The story goes that the mai tai drink was created by “Trader Vic” Bergeron and some Tahitian friends at his bar in California circa 1944 and the drink became a big success. The Tahitian word “maitai roa ae” roughly translated means “Amazing” and Trader Vic decided to use it. The drink was even featured in the Elvis Presley flick “Blue Hawaii” in 1961. The Royal Hawaiian wanted their own version for the hotel beach bar and asked Mr. Bergeron to fashion one in 1953. The “Royal Mai Tai” was born and now it and “Vic’s 44” are featured as some of the drinks on offer. Try the tavern parmesan truffle fries they serve. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with anything served at the Mai Tai.

 

The ROYAL HAWAIIAN MAI TAI BAR is probably the finest bar by the sea that I have been to.

The bar itself is literally steps from the beach and you can hear the surf roll in as you enjoy a cocktail or some finger food. The interior dome and the chairs around the beach bar are made of beautiful Hawaiian wood as are the rocking chairs currently in the Ocean Lanai and it’s staffed by some of the best bartenders in the world. Everything is served fresh and with friendly enthusiasm by the dedicated staff. You never know who you will run into but you can be sure they will be friendly and interesting. A great selection of food and drinks mixed with the great environment by the ocean is sure to please.                          

 

 

 

 

A PICTURE OF THE VIEW FROM THE STOOL AT MAI TAI BAR

 

 

VIEW FROM THE STOOL AT MAI TAI BAR

 

A PICTURE OF THE MAI TAI AT NIGHT

 

 

MAI TAI AT NIGHT

 

A PICTURE OF INSIDE THE MAI TAI

 

 

INSIDE THE MAI TAI

 

 

 

A PICTURE OF SOME OF THE MAI TAI SELECTIONS

SOME OF THE MAI TAI SELECTIONS


PICTURE OF KUI THE BARTENDER MIXING MAI TAI'S BEHIND THE BAR.
MASTER MIXOLOGIST KUI

 

PICTURE OF KUI'S SPEACIAL MIXING CUP

 

 

 

THE DEBRIEF

 

The service at the RH is, in my opinion, excellent. Management and the concierge could not do enough for me on my visits. If you need anything during your stay just mention it to them. The rooms are very comfortable and housekeeping does an outstanding job for you making sure it stays clean and everything you need is there for you. The dining here is a great experience. There is lots to see and do right at the hotel and its location in Waikiki gives you quick access to all the local attractions. I give it the coveted Captain’s Cap.  

 

👍👍👍👍

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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WELCOME TO CAPTAIN’S 

DEBRIEF

I hope you enjoy the content and perhaps you will find the information useful in planning your own future trips. I have complimentary PDF’s covering various travel topics of interest available on each page.

Thank you,

Captain Vic