Honolulu (HI) Halekulani Hotel reviews

“The Halekulani in Honolulu is a fabulous 5-star hotel”

“Staying at Halekulani hotel in Waikiki was supposed to be the highlight of our honeymoon in Hawaii, or at least we hoped to be. Which turned out to be nothing more than a series of disappointments.

5 stars hotel, over 9.0+ rating on Google or hotel reservation websites, great reviews from visiting customers made us assure that we definitely want to choose Halekulani over other hotels in Waikiki(even over family and friends’ recommendation) despite higher costs. Putting all the high reviews to shame, overall experience was nowhere close to our expectations.

1) The View: We have specifically booked for “Ocean view” room, which on both google image search and Halekulani official sites both display clear view of the ocean from the room. However when we checked into our room we found out that the view was the “Sheraton hotel building” and to be able to see the ocean we have to go outside the terrace. Not even “partial” ocean was viewable from the room. I went back down to reception and notified the staff and the explanation from the staff was “Ocean view means ocean is visible from the terrace not from the room.” Are you joking? All of the photos from official website and Google image clearly shows the ocean view from the room. No you do not have to step outside the terrace to see the ocean, even if this was true, the hotel should also have clearly explained on your official website otherwise it is very much a scam. After showing the staff the photos on hotel site to bring the staff back to attention, general manager offered to move the room closer to the ocean from the next day.

2) The Smell: The staff moved our room closer to the ocean the next day, and from that room the ocean was clearly visible. Which is funny because the day before the staff explained that the ocean view rooms at Halekulani, offers ocean view from the terrace not from the room. However, before we could enjoy the view of the ocean we found out that the room was filled with the smell of cooked meat. We just got back from sightseeing and wanted to rest, but it was not possible in the new room. We reported the issue, and the general manager came to our room, checked and confirmed the smell. (They were having a wedding banquet in the hotel and somehow the smell was leaking into the room.) This could have been easily checked by staff before deciding to move us to the room. Staff offered us to change the room at 9PM, again, when what we simply wanted was getting some rest.

3) Facility: After rains, there were many leaks in the hotel and towels are on the floor everywhere to clean it. Clearly there were needs of renovation.

Despite the kindness of the staff, and willingness to help us with hotel’s problems, overall experience at Halekulani was nowhere close to our expectations. Not to mention the price we pay compared to other hotels, but it was not even close to the meaning of Halekulani (Heaven on earth). It was not even close to “just earth with below average service.” We stayed at hotel just before Helekulani at below 50% cost, but the service and atmosphere was 10X better.

To sum up, my experience at Halekulani was very disappointing. I hope no-one goes through same experience especially for their memorable days.”

“This is the best hotel that we stayed at in Honolulu… The room is beautiful and very clean… The staff are always smiling and welcoming… Always asking if you need anything… Very generous of their freebies like drinking water, coffee and like… Will definitely be staying here again if and when I come back to Honolulu… “

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“This was our second visit to Halekulani and this time was just as wonderful and memorable as the first. From the clean and beautiful rooms and grounds to the lovely and accommodating staff, everything was perfection.”