{"id":6127,"date":"2024-10-12T00:51:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-12T00:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/halepuna-waikiki-a-boutique-hotel-with-no-resort-fees\/"},"modified":"2024-10-12T00:51:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T00:51:45","slug":"halepuna-waikiki-a-boutique-hotel-with-no-resort-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=6127","title":{"rendered":"Halepuna Waikiki: A Boutique Hotel with No Resort Fees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Though the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani hotel sits in the heart of tourist-packed Waikiki on the island of Oahu, it\u2019s quiet and relaxed. The 284-room boutique hotel offers a refreshing alternative to the sprawling resorts that dominate the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But the real standout about this boutique oasis? No resort fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I visited Halepuna Waikiki for two nights, as part of a longer trip to Oahu. The resort initially caught my attention for its lack of resort fees. I grew even more interested when I learned about how much it included. Notably, it offered complimentary access to multiple museums that I had long been yearning to visit given my family\u2019s Hawaiian heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Though nightly rates typically run over $300 a night (slightly higher than <\/span>Oahu\u2019s average nightly hotel room rate of $272<\/span>, based on May 2024 data from the Hawai\u2018i Tourism Authority), the free museum access alone went a long way in justifying it. Without that complimentary access, my travel companion and I otherwise would have spent more than $150 combined on museum tickets.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That made the decision easy \u2014 and it didn\u2019t hurt that the hotel was quite fancy, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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About the Halepuna Waikiki<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani is the sister property of Halekulani, On the Beach at Waikiki \u2014one of the oldest (and most famous) Waikiki beach hotels. As for the Halepuna Waikiki, this property is relatively new. It opened in October 2019, but closed for more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The hotel reopened in April 2021 with several awards and titles to its name. That includes a AAA Four Diamond Award, which is a prestigious award recognizing hotels for their upscale style, amenities and service.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Features include a rooftop infinity pool with ocean views, plus a sleek lobby designed with custom light fixtures, vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer up a light and airy aesthetic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Halepuna Waikiki location<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The lobby at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani. (Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Halepuna Waikiki offers the best of both worlds in that it has ocean views without sitting directly on the beach. That means you can still get a great view without the exorbitant beachfront price tag.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The hotel sits just one block from the beach on one side, and one block from Kalakaua Avenue \u2014 Honolulu\u2019s main shopping street \u2014 on the other side. Since the hotel sits tucked away on a side street, it tends to be a little quieter than most other Waikiki hotels, and it usually won\u2019t have as many non-hotel guests wandering through the lobby.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Indoors,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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The lobby at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani. (Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Halepuna parking is available, but it\u2019s not cheap. Whether you opt for valet or self-parking, you\u2019ll pay $50 per day. Given the hefty parking fee coupled with the hotel\u2019s prime, walkable location, you might not actually <\/span>want a rental car in Honolulu<\/span> anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To get there from the airport, it\u2019s usually best to take a taxi or rideshare. Ubers generally cost about $30 to $40 between Honolulu\u2019s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Home<\/div>\n<\/div>
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An Ocean View room at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani. (Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani has 284 guest rooms and four suites. The best views are from the oceanview rooms on higher floors (floors 19 through 23), as they\u2019re not obstructed by the buildings in front. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Architecture,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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These Deluxe Ocean View rooms tend to cost about 15% more than the Ocean View rooms with obstructed views and about 30% more than the standard Waikiki view rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Sink,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The rooms have modern amenities, like a bedside and dress charging station with ports for USB and HDMI, plus a Bluetooth connection. Shades are remote controlled, and bathrooms have nice features like a lighted vanity and magnifying mirror.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The rooms also have some nods to the local culture. For example, each room has a unique photo taken by a local photographer, and the bath amenities use locally-sourced Hawaiian oils and extracts.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Bottle,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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All rooms also have a refrigerator and coffee maker. The complimentary refillable water bottles make for a great souvenir.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Key amenities at the Halepuna Waikiki<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Pool,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The rooftop infinity pool on the hotel\u2019s eighth floor is remarkable.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The area also has a hot tub, plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas available for rent. Conveniently, complimentary sunscreen is available for hotel guests.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Grass,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A rooftop garden and grass turf space adjacent to the pool is a nice place to sunbathe outside of the pool deck.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Fitness,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The eighth floor also offers a gym, which offers fairly standard equipment like cardio machines and dumbbells.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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One unique feature caters to the <\/span>workcation<\/span> crowd \u2014 the business center and hospitality suite. This room offers work desks where hotel guests can post up with no reservations required. If you do need to reserve a private space, there\u2019s also a separate, bookable meeting room that accommodates up to 24 people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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One underrated amenity is a coin-operated laundromat, which is also located on the eighth floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In addition to the on-property amenities, the Halepuna offers some free events and tickets. For example, guests can participate in complimentary, daily surf demonstrations held on the beach in front of Halekulani.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Halepuna guests also receive complimentary admission at the biggest museums in the state, including the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art. Given that general adult admission costs $34 to the Bishop Museum and $25 to the Honolulu Museum of Art, that alone could go a long way in justifying the hotel room rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Halepuna Waikiki restaurants<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Food,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Halepuna has two restaurants: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Halekulani Bakery: <\/span><\/span>This morning spot serves coffee and pastries, and it\u2019s most famous for its Halekulani Coconut Cake.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Food,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo courtesy of Halekulani)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Umi By Vikram Garg: <\/span><\/span>This seafood-centric restaurant open for breakfast and dinner is located in the hotel lobby. Each dish uses high-end and unique ingredients, such as fried rice made with seafood, bacon and koshihikari rice. Even the pancakes are elevated; the \u201cMai Tai Pancake\u201d is served with caramelized pineapple and a rum-coconut essence.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Halekulani restaurants<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Dining options are slim at Halepuna, but that\u2019s where Halekulani, its sister property across the street, shines. The hotel has about a half-dozen different places to eat, and Halepuna guests can charge purchases made at Halekulani back to their room.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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La Mer: <\/span><\/span>The award-winning La Mer serves French cuisine with \u2018flavors of Hawaii.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Orchids: <\/span><\/span>Though it\u2019s open all day, Orchids is a great spot for Waikiki brunch in particular, as well as Waikiki afternoon tea given its ocean views and diverse menu that embraces both Asian and American cuisine.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Food,<\/div>\n<\/div>
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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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House Without A Key: <\/span><\/span>Then there\u2019s one of the most famous restaurants in Waikiki: House Without A Key. Though it\u2019s not fancy, it\u2019s still an elevated spot for lunch, dinner or drinks. Don\u2019t plan on rushing through a meal here, as the draw is enjoying the Hawaiian music and hula performances held in front of the restaurant\u2019s century-old kiawe tree.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s all outdoor seating, though there\u2019s an expansive, covered area offering an open-air, indoor-like place to eat. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kabayaki fries at the House Without A Key restaurant. (Photo by Sally French)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The food is just as good as the vibes. There\u2019s all sorts of burgers, fish and flatbreads. The highlight, though, is found on the sunset cocktail menu: kabayaki fries. With this dish, fries are doused in the famous Japanese sauce, and then topped with furikake, garlic, onions and kewpie mayonnaise. Don\u2019t miss it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Who is the Halekulani Waikiki best for?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani offers the perfect combination of modern yet luxurious touches, a tucked-away atmosphere plus a prime Waikiki location \u2013 all at a competitive price, especially considering the absence of resort fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The complimentary cultural access and exclusive privileges at the Halekulani elevate the experience even further. For travelers seeking a luxurious and intimate escape in Waikiki, the Halepuna Waikiki is one of the best hotels in Waikiki.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Booking the Halekulani Waikiki<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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There are a few ways to pay for your stay, so compare prices before booking. Booking options include:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Direct through Halepuna: <\/span><\/span>When you book directly on Halepuna\u2019s website, you can take advantage of exclusive offers. These vary by time of year, but often include deals like free breakfast for two.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I Prefer Hotel Rewards:<\/span><\/span> The free-to-join hotel loyalty program doesn\u2019t have a huge presence in the U.S., but it serves hundreds of hotels and resorts worldwide. Like most hotel loyalty programs, members can rack up points to exchange for free nights. Plus, members have access to exclusive rates, early check-in and space-available room upgrades.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SS rating\u00a0