Destinations

My mother-in-law asked us, “Why is the Kahala such a favorite of yours?”.  There is something about that hotel that is so hard to explain to others who have not been there.  We have stayed at numerous five star hotels in the islands ~ what makes this place so different?  When I say it has “good aura”, people just stare back at me with blank looks on their faces.  I don’t know if it is the mid-century architecture or the simple oval pool or the pictures of past presidents, dignitaries and stars on the walls that brings to mind a more simple time and place.  I know I am romanticizing the Cold War and martinis, but the Kahala really does takes me through a time machine to another time and place.

When we arrived, the valet welcomed us back to the hotel and each time left the car with the valet, they said, “Welcome home.”  It sounds corny, but those words made us so relaxed and comfortable.  They checked us in to the hotel in our room instead of at the front desk, which again gave us that wonderful feeling of coming home.  I recommend the deluxe ocean view lanai on the 6th floor - not too high up so you can still watch the dolphins while at the same time a very excellent view of the stunning Pacific Ocean  The breakfast buffet is expensive, but very good and I recommend it.  The beach is perfect for relaxing as it is beautiful and quiet with a very gentle surf.  As I mentioned, the pool area is very simple, but with attentive pool side service.  Regardless of a guest’s age, the Dolphin Experience is not to be missed.  You will learn about these special creatures and have the opportunity to swim, touch and interact with them as well.   Although the hotel is older, the rooms have all been recently renovated and they are very large and absolutely beautifully done.  Soft pastels and crèmes, evoke feelings of yellow sun, warm sand and the island spirit of Aloha.

Visit the Kahala for the wonderful ambience, the excellent service, the stellar location!

First, a bit about the Kahala Resort. It was exceptional! From the moment we arrived we were treated with excellent service. My room opened to a beautiful view of the Hawaiian mountain and ocean landscape. The rooms were newly redecorated with soft colors and some of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. The food and service in the restaurants was terrific as well.

The Dolphin Quest is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. What beautiful and friendly animals! Another highlight of the resort is the spa. I had an incredible massage in one of the private spa suites - VERY relaxing.

If you’re the outdoorsy type, I would definitely recommend a climb to the top of Diamond Head. If you have the time and the ambition, you can begin the hike from the very bottom of the mountain. I didn’t have a lot of time as I had a plane to catch that afternoon, so I took a taxi. The taxi will take you from the Kahala to the park entrance, which is part-way up the mountain. My driver kindly gave me his cell phone number so I could call him to pick me up after the hike and take me back to the hotel. There is a $1.00 admission fee to enter the park and a clearly marked trail leading to the top.

The Kahala is located on the other side of Diamond Head on a secluded beach. I love the location, because you feel like you are on an outer island, yet are minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The Kahala Resort is still under renovation and the room I stayed in had been renovated, however, the bathroom had not been. The room was absolutely beautiful! When we walked in I believe we audibly gasped. The colors are a very soft light yellow and light blue and the room is very large. We had an ocean view room, which you could also view the dolphins from.

As beautiful as the guest rooms are, my favorite thing about this hotel is the service, which was impeccable! The employees at the Kahala make their guests feel very welcome, with genuine Hawaiian greetings and the Aloha spirit at every turn.

For those travelers who like to avoid the hotels with lots of children, this may be a good choice for you. Although children are certainly welcome, we saw very few during our stay. The pool is relaxing and quiet with wonderful pool side service. We enjoyed sitting in the lounge in the evenings, sitting on comfy sofas and listening to the piano player. The spa at the Kahala is outstanding and if you ever stay there please do not miss a swim with the dolphins!

Two people in the travel industry with very high standards have told me this is their favorite hotel in all of Hawaii, so my expectations were very high ~ but I was certainly not disappointed!