Highlights: Kahala Hotel and Resort

•With its gracious old-Hawaiian charm, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is an icon in Oahu’s luxury resort history from the early days

•The breathtaking lobby with 90-foot ceilings and multi-colored chandeliers is only a prelude to the secluded beach and lovely grounds

•Hotel staff provides service with personal charm, efficiency, and discretion

•Several dining options, including Hoku’s, the hotel’s main restaurant that serves seafood with an Asian flair

•Business center, multilingual staff, and ballroom area designed for small corporate retreats or meetings

•Mobil Four-Star-rated Spa Suites at The Kahala, CHI Fitness Center, outdoor pool area with cabanas, and white sand beaches nearby

Amenities: Kahala Hotel and Resort

• 364 rooms. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Five restaurants, four bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Outdoor pool, children's pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Kahala Hotel and Resort

The quiet, secluded Kahala Hotel & Resort provides a step back in time. This legendary hotel built by Conrad Hilton in 1924 is a mecca for visitors who treasure their privacy and is well staffed with people who respect privacy. The beachfront property is located just a 10-minute drive from Waikiki at the end of Oahu’s prestigious residential area of Kahala. It’s not a property you will want to venture from. The resort is hidden on 6.5 acres among exotic gardens and waterfalls with views of both Diamond Head and Koko Head Craters. I can understand why so many guests I spoke to were repeat visitors.

There are many places to enjoy seclusion and tranquility at The Kahala Hotel & Resort . I enjoyed sitting on a comfortable sofa in the gracious lobby, reading a book from the small library. The awe-inspiring 90-foot ceilings and the multi-colored crystal chandeliers twinkling in the trade winds seem to inspire a respectful hush in guests. It’s a serene setting that many travelers will truly enjoy.

Romantic travelers can take advantage of the relaxing massages and treatments in the hotel’s five spa suites, two secluded Jacuzzi tubs near the pool area, or walk along the adjacent beach.

Family travelers, especially those with smaller children, will be delighted with the numerous amenities geared toward even the youngest guests. A trainer from Sea Life Park visits the hotel’s dolphin center daily to provide educational talks, and the Kieka Kids Club provides structured activities to keep kids busy yet supervised. A game room, extensive kids' menu, and a Sponge Bob-like raft available at the nearby beach add to the fun.

Business travelers have access to a 24-hour business center with basic amenities and a multilingual staff willing to help with any type of task. Meeting space is available for a small group or you can plan some off-site activities, like a beachfront luau, with help from the hotel’s Hawaiian Cultural Program.

This is an older, classic hotel, and one of the benefits of this is the guest rooms are much larger than many contemporary hotels, measuring an average size of 550 square feet. When you reach your room, guests can expect some heart-warming gifts, like chocolate macadamia nut clusters and a welcome card, to help get you into the vacation mode.

The hotel staff was unobtrusive during my stay, but available when I needed them, and they had a knack of making me feel like a VIP. Dining options are incredible. Drink service on the 800-foot stretch of white sand beach is a very good idea.

It’s hard to believe that the hustle and bustle of Waikiki lies just down the road, but nice to know for any guest who might want to venture out to a nightclub. Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air shopping center, is only a 15-minute drive from the hotel and is a must-do for serious shoppers.

(+) Great location, tranquil grounds, and aloha spirit for romantic, getaway, and family travelers

Guest Services: Kahala Hotel and Resort

The hotel staff does its best to pamper guests and make them feel like they’re in an island paradise. The Beach Butler Service takes the sting out of the tropical sun by providing complimentary water and misting to those in the need. Free scuba lessons are available at the pool, and a trainer from nearby Sea Life Park provides daily education talks about dolphins, so children are informed when visiting the nearby dolphin lagoon.

During my stay, I felt welcomed and well taken care of, even before I arrived. The reservationist did an excellent job of vividly and accurately describing the resort and available transportation options, with cost. The bellman and valet warmly welcomed me sporting elegant ivory-colored uniforms.

After settling in, I found the concierge was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Rather than just providing me with points of interest, she inquired about my preferences and tailored the activities accordingly. She had a very good grasp of the island’s shopping, dining, and attractions and she offered to make reservations and provide directions. She was very attentive.

(+) Intuitive, professional service ensures that every detail of the stay is perfect

Guest Rooms: Kahala Hotel and Resort

The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers 316 spacious guest rooms and 29 opulently appointed suites, some of which have lanais bordering the dolphin lagoon. The décor is a tasteful mix of old Hawaii and British Colonial styles. Large four-poster beds, covered with thick white comforters, throw pillows and Italian linens, added a romantic touch to the rooms and suites. The sheer spaciousness of the room allows for a wonderful flow and creates an inviting, homey ambience complete with two closets, a large desk, and a compact disc player with CDs. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide easy access to an enchanting view of the Pacific Ocean, Ko'olau Mountains, or the resort’s dolphin lagoon.

Upon entering my room, I was delighted to discover a personal note from the general manager, as well as three coconut macaroons on an elegant black square dish. The room’s fresh orchids, tropical prints, and wood parquet floor made it especially warm and inviting. I appreciated that the dressing room included two separate vanity areas and more than ample room to move around. The bathroom was large and attractive and stocked with a wide selection of Aromatherapy Associates and English Lord & Mayfair products. The bed and bathroom were spotless and remained so throughout my stay. The lanai or private balcony was large enough to accommodate two chairs and a table with room to spare. It was a lovely room with beautiful mountain and partial ocean views.

(+) Guest rooms reflect graciousness and old-Hawaiian feel of the property, along with enchanting views

Facilities & Activities: Kahala Hotel and Resort

While speaking with the hotel reservationist, I was given a detailed overview of the amenities and activities the resort has to offer and it did not dissapoint. I had made an appointment ahead of time for a treatment at the spa for the day of my arrival and it was a great way to begin my trip. The Mobil Four-Star-rated Spa Suites at The Kahala consists of five gorgeous spa suites, each 550 square feet with personal relaxation and changing areas, infinity-edged soaking baths, and beautifully landscaped courtyards.

The CHI Fitness Center provides cardio and weight training equipment, and is staffed. This is a spacious and well-organized facility, with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. The locker rooms are equipped with a steam room sauna, and outdoor hot tub. Yoga and cardio classes are offered, and personal training sessions are available by appointment. The beach and pool compete in terms of allure, and I found myself going back and forth.

In addition to soaking up the sun by the pool or ocean, guests can spend an afternoon getting nose-to-nose with bottlenose dolphins at the resort’s 26,000-square-foot Dolphin Quest. These daily education programs offer a first-hand, unforgettable experience with these gentle creatures.

Kids visiting The Kahala Hotel & Resort have their own fun at the Keiki Club, where children ages 5 to 12 can enjoy exciting adventures and activities.

Surfing, scuba diving, and biking are available on the property. Off-site, guests can enjoy golf, tennis, hiking, kayaking, parasailing, and whale watching.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort ’s location may seem secluded, but it’s only a 15-minute drive to downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace (the only palace in the United States), and the King Kamehameha Statue. For shopping, I opted to bypass Waikiki and visited Ala Moana Center, also 15 minutes from the resort. Besides both high-end and moderate shopping, it has numerous dining options and shops that carry souvenir selections. Another fine option is Kahala Mall. It’s not a visitors’ hub, but provides great shopping, and you’ll find a huge selection of locally made products at Long’s Drug’s Store.

(+) Mobil Four-Star-rated Spa Suites at The Kahala , beautifully landscaped courtyards, and dolphin lagoon on-site, in addition to a nearby beach and shopping attractions

Dining & Lounge: Kahala Hotel and Resort

In addition to 24-hour room service, the hotel provides ample dining opportunities for guests.

Hoku’s, the resort’s signature restaurant, serves seafood with an Asian flare, and Tokyo-Tokyo is a modern Japanese restaurant. The Plumeria Beach House offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (buffet or à la carte). Cabanas Seaside Grill is perfect for lunch, and the Veranda serves afternoon tea and cocktails.

While all the dining choices are perfect for the niche they serve, Hoku’s stands out and you will probably find yourself returning to it time and again over the course of your stay. Located just off the main lobby and open for lunch and dinner, it has a breathtaking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and The Kahala Hotel & Resort ’s private beach. Good news is the “Whole Fish” is back on the menu by popular demand. A favorite with locals and visitors (many who are guests at other hotels), it consists of a whole local fresh catch deep fried and served with a half-dozen Asian dipping sauces. Hoku’s also has a Sunday brunch buffet.

My room service experience was highly satisfactory. The menu featured a nice selection of Asian-influenced entrées, and Hoku’s specials could also be ordered. From start to finish, room service was executed in a professional and pleasant manner, and the food quality and presentation were excellent.

(+) The restaurants offer excellent food in pristine settings

Business Services: Kahala Hotel and Resort

The hotel strives to provide a home-away-from-home office facility and they do a good job--as long as you get there first or second. The 24-hour business center has just two work stations. The facility offers secretarial services, a multi-lingual staff, ergonomically correct leather chairs, scanners, printers, computers with high-speed Internet access, and office supplies. Internet use at the work stations is on a first-come, first-served basis, and I had to wait 20 minutes for my turn. It’s free for 30 minutes each day of your stay. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the resort.

The hotel has a large banquet room that can be converted into smaller rooms for a small business meeting or retreat.

(+) Business travelers with laptops are well accommodated at this hotel, whether they choose to remain in their rooms or use the services of the business center
(-) Visitors without personal computers need to be flexible when trying to use the business center