April 22nd, 2008
Oahu’s Most Romantic Hotel - the Halekulani
I often speak to couples wanting to visit Oahu for their honeymoon and get the opportunity to experience all of Oahu’s exciting nightlife and shopping choices - plus find a romantic setting. My recommendation without a doubt is the Halekulani. My first stay at the Halekulani was in 2000 when a family member was married there and the wedding party all had rooms booked in the hotel. I remember feelings of luxury, love, peace and grace - which is hard to find in Waikiki. The resort is comprised of five buildings ranging in height from two to 17 stories and contains 455 guest rooms.
The Halekulani concierge and staff at the pool/beach center can arrange outrigger canoe rides, surfboard rentals and lessons, snorkeling and sailing trips, and deep-sea fishing or windsurfing experiences for guests. SpaHalekulani’s treatment menu is based on the healing traditions of the Pacific Islands and includes massages, body and facial therapies, hair and nail care services. Halekulani offers guests a culturally stimulating program as well that includes VIP access and complimentary tickets to four well-known Honolulu venues: The Honolulu Academy of Arts, The Bishop Museum, The Contemporary Museum and Iolani Palace.
The only Five Diamond restaurant in Hawaii, La Mer at the Halekulani Hotel is a consistent award-winner thanks to its combination of updated French cuisine, oceanfront surroundings, and gracious service. La Mer offers guests the option of a nine-course tasting menu that begins with Champagne and an amuse bouche. Diners can complement their meal with a selection from the restaurant’s exclusive wine collection culled from leading producers around the world. At La Mer, men are required to wear a long-sleeved collared shirt or jacket. The Halekulani also has two other restaurants and three cocktail lounges where casual dress is fine.
The Halekulani is so romantic that leading bridalwear designer Vera Wang created a beautiful special suite just for lovebirds. The large, one-bedroom Vera Wang suite overlooks Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. It is furnished with elements from Vera Wang’s home, gift, bath, and accessories collections as well as unique items gathered from Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia. The covered lanai overlooking the beach invites guests to lounge and dine outdoors in privacy. Sony electronics, including a 50-inch plasma flat screen TV with DVD/CD entertainment center, are located in the living and bedroom areas. The master bath features a deep tub with 16 jets that can add effervescence to a soak. The wood-and-stone design of the room evokes a private spa with a window on Diamond Head.
Guests who book the Vera Wang suite are entitled to:
- Dedicated 24-hour butler service
- Complimentary French Champagne
- Aphrodisiacal food presentation upon arrival, which may include lobster/crab salad, quenelles topped with osetra caviar, salmon and ahi tartar, and La Mer chocolates
- Cocktails created by Halekulani’s director of beverage arts that include Kiss of Venus, Aphrodite’s Poison, and Cupid’s Arrow
- 24-hour dining menu of Sweet & Savory selections chosen by Vera Wang and served on Vera Wang tableware.
The other 450+ rooms in the hotel are categorized by view and many overlook world-famous Waikiki Beach and majestic Diamond Head. These Halekulani rooms and suites have a 27-inch flat screen TV with HBO, CNN and ESPN; on-demand movies an DVD/CD entertainment center; a mini-refrigerator; three telephones; glassed-in shower and deep soaking tub; bathrobes; private-label toiletries; and same-day dry cleaning and pressing services. Accommodations also include the innovative InnCom unit, which allows guests to control room temperature and lighting, chambermaid and porter services, and arrange for in-room dining. All guests receive a welcome bowl of fresh fruit and chocolates. Wi-fi, local phone calls, use of the in-room safe, and daily newspapers are all compliments of the house.
A Hui Hou,
Angelica
1800-843-8771 x21
angelica@hawaii-aloha.com