Bakery treats, rooftop yoga, and sound-healing spa treatments make this modern Waikiki stay an easy choice.

 

Waikiki is a bustling neighborhood on the south shore of Honolulu, where travelers from around the world come to eat, shop, and try to pop up on a surfboard. A quick 25-minute ride from the airport and you can be in the heart of the action, steps from Waikiki Beach. 

The energy of Waikiki is exciting, but you may also need some breaks from it. I found a respite from the crowds in Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, a boutique hotel across the street from its famous sister property, Halekulani. 

Why choose Halepuna Waikiki?

Halekulani is the grande dame of Waikiki, a beautiful, historic property that first opened in 1907. This five-star oceanfront hotel spans five acres of Waikiki Beach. 

Halepuna is Halekulani’s younger, hipper sister. A sleek, modern hotel tower with ocean views on the eighth to 18th floors, Halepuna Waikiki offers an upscale experience at a more affordable price. In addition to its own cozy bakery, lounge, and restaurant, Halepuna offers guests access to Halekulani’s larger restaurants, lounges, and spa.  

Halepuna Waikiki’s rooms are bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Window shades raise at the touch of a button, for a dramatic sunrise reveal to start your day. 

Eat your way across two properties

The food in Waikiki was a highlight of my stay, and having the restaurants of two hotels to choose from made dining well easy. 

Up early thanks to jet lag, I’d join the line of people waiting for Halekulani Bakery to open. Coffee and pastry-of-the-day in hand, I’d head a block to the beach to watch the early-morning surfers. Then I’d stroll over into Halekulani for a second breakfast at Orchids. 

For lunch, I’d either eat locally — MonkeyPod and Poke by the Pound were favorites — or order a burger from Halepuna’s rooftop pool. 

At dusk, Halekulani’s House Without a Key was the perfect spot to enjoy a Mai Tai and appetizers at sunset. There’s live music every night and a hula dancer from 6 to 8 p.m. 

For a lower-key option, I liked TERNS. The Halekulani Bakery terrace becomes an open-air lounge in the evening, where you can order papaya cocktails and poke ball bites. It’s a nice place to start the evening before heading next door to Halepuna’s restaurant, UMI by Vikram Garg.  

Umi means ocean in Japanese, and you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering seafood dishes in this intimate restaurant. But there are delicious “land” options, too. The menu was inspired by the many cultures and cuisines Chef Garg has experienced around the globe. I loved his dhaba-style chicken curry with koshihikari rice, followed by pavlova for dessert. 

End the night at Lewers Lounge

For a nightcap, I’d return to Halekulani and settle into Lewers Lounge. It’s a quiet spot to relax after dinner. I recommend ordering an espresso martini and lobster gyoza. 

This dark, intimate jazz room centers on a piano, with live light jazz performances Tuesday through Saturday. Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, and other jazz greats have performed here.

Treat yourself to a spa day

A little precipitation is bound to happen when you’re in the middle of the ocean, but an overcast sky in Waikiki is just the excuse you need to book a treatment at SpaHalekulani. I tried the vibroacoustic sound healing experience, which could also be called the jet lag miracle cure. 

I’m not sure how the auditory magic works on your brain, but after half an hour of lying on a heated water mattress in a dark room, listening to a relaxing mix of music, tones, voices, and water, I was energized and raring to go. Combine this sound healing treatment with a massage, and you’ll be unstoppable.  

Relax on the rooftop

When the blue sky returns, hopefully with a rainbow, Halepuna’s rooftop deck is the place to be. I set up camp in a poolside cabana overlooking the ocean and enjoyed lounging the afternoon away. My emotional support book stayed in my bag while I ordered a drink and made friends in the hot tub.

Also on the eighth floor, which Halepuna calls its urban escape, there’s a garden with a reflexology path, a small gym, a hospitality suite, and my favorite amenity, a guest laundry room. Check the schedule for morning yoga in the garden. 

Get out and explore

Halepuna guests receive complimentary admission to two cultural venues, the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art. You’ll scan your key card for free entry. 

The Bishop Museum, built in 1889, holds the largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural artifacts and natural history specimens in the world. It also has excellent planetarium shows that introduce you to the Hawaiian night sky. 

The Honolulu Museum of Art opened in 1927, making it Hawaii’s oldest and largest art museum. Plan your visit around a free tour to learn about its current exhibitions.  

At Halepuna, you’re also a short walk from the Royal Hawaiian Center. Browse high-end shops, then swing by the Royal Grove for free cultural classes, like hula, lei making, and ukulele.

You’re also steps from Waikiki Beach Walk, which has free live music, cultural lessons, and a makers market on Monday nights. 

When you want to get out on the water, book a surf lesson through the hotel. And remember that all beaches in Hawaii are public, so the sand is yours to enjoy.

Day trip to the North Shore

Hire a driver or rent a Tesla from Halepuna to explore beyond Waikiki. The drive to Oahu’s North Shore takes about an hour, depending on traffic.

My North Shore day trip started at Kamananui Cacao Orchards in Waialua for a tour and chocolate tasting. I was glad to have a driver for this off-the-beaten-path farm because the gravel roads were tricky to navigate. 

The 1.5-hour tours are by reservation only, and they do sell out, so book ahead if you’d like to go. On the tour, you’ll meet some of the farmers (and their cute dogs) and hear about the many challenges of starting a cacao farm. 

You’re guaranteed to learn a lot about farming in Hawaii, and you’ll be rewarded with a chocolate tasting at the end. Pick your favorite flavors and buy a few bars to take home.  

After loading up on local chocolate, head to the surf town Haleiwa for more shopping and sweets. Matsumoto’s Shave Ice and Makua Banana Bread are both worth a stop.

Sample three-day itinerary

Day 1

• 3 p.m.: Check in at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
• 4 p.m.: Browse the shops along Waikiki Beach Walk
• 5 p.m.: Sunset cocktails followed by dinner and music at House Without A Key

Day 2

• 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast by the ocean at Orchids
• 10 a.m.: Visit the Bishop Museum and see a planetarium show
• 11:30 a.m.: Lunch at Poke by the Pound in Honolulu
• 1 p.m.: Tour Kamananui Cacao Orchards on the North Shore
• 3 p.m.: Explore the surf town Haleiwa and buy a shave ice
• 7 p.m.: Dinner at Island Vintage Wine Bar at Royal Hawaiian Center

Day 3

• 6:30 a.m.: Grab coffee and pastries at Halekulani Bakery
• 11 a.m.: Enjoy a treatment at SpaHalekulani
• 2 p.m.: Lunch and pool time at Halepuna Waikiki 
• 4 p.m.: Shop at Royal Hawaiian Center
• 5 p.m.: Drinks and light bites at TERNS
• 7 p.m.: Dinner at UMI by Vikram Garg
• 8:30 p.m.: Cocktails and jazz at Lewers Lounge

Plan your trip

Dallas and Houston have nonstop flights to Honolulu, and Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani is about 11 miles from the airport. To plan your stay, visit halepuna.com.

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Cover Photo Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub is a lifelong globetrotter whose travel expertise has been featured in Forbes, Fodor’s, and USA TODAY. She lives in Austin with her family.