Although its name implies the break of dawn, most people flock to The Modern Honolulu’s Sunrise Pool during sunset. It’s the perfect place to enjoy one of nature’s most spectacular shows because the raised deck looks out toward the sailboats in the marina.
When sitting poolside, live entertainment is always a plus.
And around that same time, there’s a little something called happy hour. The poolside bar offers sunset specials from 4 to 7 p.m., with specialty cocktails ($9), wine by glass ($7), well cocktails ($5) and domestic beers ($4). Considering that these prices are a bit on the higher-end, I’m not sure how “happy” customers are about that. I do know that it’s the classy yet chill ambiance and, of course, the gorgeous sunset view that keep them coming back for more.
Imagine yourself at sunset on a Hawaii Vacation, kicking back on a poolside bed or padded deckchair with a mai tai in hand. Sounds kind of cheesy, but trust, this is what it’s like at The Modern Honolulu. Many compare it to hotels in L.A. or Miami – the posh outdoor setting with fancy pools, wooden-deck flooring and classy white seating take customers to a trendier side of Hawaii. The bar itself is an enclave under a canopy of lush bougainvillea and hau trees, lit up by hanging lantern-style light fixtures. As elegant as it sounds, you still don’t need to dress up; the servers wear beach attire, and let’s not forget, it is an outdoor bar next to the pool.
A relaxed ambiance makes The Modern Honolulu’s Sunrise Pool a great pre-night-out stop.
Once the sun sets, the crowd starts to thin out, and everyone moves indoors to the hotel’s Lobby Bar. That’s where you need to dress up. I prefer coming to the Sunrise Pool at night because it’s super mellow and oftentimes has live music. It’s also nice to kick back and look at the stars on a clear night. The hotel is toward the ‘Ewa end of Waikiki, so it’s not as noisy or flooded with city lights.
THE MODERN HOTEL SUNRISE POOL • 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815 • Happy Hour: 4-7pm • 808-943-5800 • Metered/free parking in boat harbor; hotel valet parking
