Highlights: Halekulani

•The Halekulani Hotel is tranquil beachfront hotel in a resort setting, in the heart of bustling Waikiki

•Staff provides impeccable service to enhance your paradise setting

•Three distinct restaurants and three lounges offer a myriad of dining options. Its signature restaurant, The Mobil Four-Star La Mer, boasts a neoclassical French menu.

•Full-service business center and several conference rooms for meetings

•The Mobil Four-Star SpaHalekulani was one of the first in Hawaii to incorporate the healing traditions of Polynesia into its treatments. It also offers a full menu of more conventional spa therapies and services.

Amenities: Halekulani

• 455 rooms. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Three restaurants, three bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Outdoor pool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Halekulani

The Halekulani Hotel is the perfect choice for travelers wanting to mix business with pleasure. The property is a tranquil oasis in the sea of hotels, taxis, and pedestrians that now make up Waikiki. Originally opened in 1917, Halekulani is one of the last bastions of Hawaiian grace and hospitality, and should be applauded for keeping its architectural integrity intact. The hotel is built low to the ground, encircling a large beachside courtyard with a dramatic,massive ancient Kiawe Tree. The grounds are lush with generous gardens, in stark contrast to the frantic city activity surrounding the hotel. The lobby is elegant and open-air with views of Waikiki Beach, and a number of private, comfortable seating areas.

While the hotel’s proximity to downtown Honolulu and the Hawaii Convention Center make it ideally suited for business travelers, I would highly recommend it for a romantic get-away. The rooms are beautiful, the ocean views sublime, the SpaHalekulani is very intimate, and the dining divine. Apparently, I am not the only one of this opinion. The much-hailed and always-booked Vera Wang Suite, personally designed by the woman responsible for creating some of the world’s most famous wedding gowns, is a clear indication that love is in the air at the Halekulani. This is a very adult property and I would not recommend it for a family vacation. There is only one pool and no children’s activities.

The beach is a little crowded (it is Waikiki, after all) but visitors seem to respect the sand fronting the hotel as belonging to guests of the Halekulani, and you can put a decent space between yourself and the nearest sunbather. Waikiki is no longer a sleepy little ocean-side town and you have to enjoy it for what it is: a busy vacation metropolis that just happens to be on the beach. I enjoyed leaving the sanctuary of the hotel to explore this boomtown complete with Starbucks and Cheesecake Factory, but it was nice knowing I was coming “home” to the Halekulani. I was always greeted curbside upon my return, which was a nice touch.

After all these years, the Halekulani still does an outstanding job of remaining faithful to the spirit and traditions of Hawaii’s past, while rising to superb levels of service and comfort. The hotel really is the Grande Dame of Waikiki Beach and, especially if you are a die-hard fan of the islands and its history, a treasure you should experience.

(+) Historic property offers style and elegance, impeccable service, and Waikiki Beach.

Guest Services: Halekulani

From start to finish, the service during my stay at the Halekulani was well-executed and seemingly second-nature. The staff was warm, genuine, and welcoming. I truly felt they were happy to have me and hoped I would return. The uniforms were of exceptional design, with a classic Hawaiian elegance that melded nicely with the refinement of the hotel. The reservationist was pleasant and enthusiastic and seemed sincerely concerned about my satisfaction.

Upon arriving at the hotel I was greeted curbside and check-in was fast and flawless -- no more than five minutes. The concierge approached me to ask if he could be of assistance. When I requested a restaurant recommendation, he gave me several excellent suggestions as well as menus to help me make my decision. By the second day I had totally let down my guard (even trusting the wake-up call), just assuming that whatever I needed would be provided. I was not disappointed.

(+) Service quickly inspired confidence, ensuring every detail of my stay was flawless

Guest Rooms: Halekulani

The Halekulani Hotel has a total of 412 guest rooms and 43 suites, including the 2,777-square-foot Vera Wang Suite and the 2,135-square-foot Royal Suite. Most rooms can be considered “deluxe” and have ocean or Diamond Head views. All accommodations are equipped with high-speed Internet service, flat screen plasma televisions, and CD and DVD players. Guest services include express laundry and dry cleaning, and nightly turndown. The guest rooms are absolutely soundproof, alleviating the chance encounter with a blaring car horn or (worse) a car alarm, both of which are common occurrences in Waikiki.

The welcome amenity − rich, designer chocolates made by a chef exclusively for resort guests − pretty much set the tone for my Halekulani experience. They were sumptuous, yet somehow simple. My room was exquisite with a large lanai overlooking (like many of the guest rooms) the expansive ocean-front courtyard below. The décor was white-on-white with tropical accents. It had a soothing effect, especially when combined with the vibrant colors of the ocean peeking in though my full-length sliding glass doors.

The guest room and bathroom were spacious and the feeling of openness was emphasized, again, by the glass “wall” leading out the balcony. I could hear soft Hawaiian music floating in off the trade winds in the late afternoon, which was delightful. The bath amenities were of the Halekulani brand and, like their namesake, lavish. My bed was plush and comfortable and over-flowing with Frette linens and pillows. It was heavenly to sink into its folds after a long day and an indulgent dinner and fall asleep to the sound of the surf below.

(+) Guest rooms provide tasteful elegance, Mobil Four-Star comfort, and breathtaking views

Facilities & Activities: Halekulani

There is something about relaxing by a pool located almost directly on the beach. Halekulani has one swimming pool, and they have made the most of it. Poolside service was wonderful and I wanted for nothing. Ample towels were provided, complimentary refreshments and sunblock were conveniently available, and beverage servers were attentive. Its comfortable, “Halekulani elegant” setting with lots of space allows for a feeling of privacy, and the gorgeous mosaic-tiled pool was heated to the perfect temperature.

The Mobil Four-Star SpaHalekulani was intimate, serene, and invigorating. The décor reflects elements of Polynesia and Japan with an impressive art collection, some of which has been handed down from the original owners of the hotel. This spa is one of the first in the islands to incorporate the healing traditions of Polynesia -- primarily Samoa, Tonga and Tahiti -- into its treatments, and it also offers a full menu of more conventional spa therapies and services. The staff greeted me by name upon arrival and was friendly, asking about any special needs or concerns I might have before beginning my treatment. The therapist’s expertise was evident and the setting peaceful. There were showers in the treatment rooms, but no locker facilities, which was a little awkward. Likewise with the fitness center, there was no locker room. However, the exercise equipment was ample and nicely spaced and classes are available to guests.

The Halekulani Hotel’s Waikiki location offers a myriad of shopping options. There are many couture boutiques within walking distance of the resort and the Ala Moana Shopping Center is a quick 10-minute drive by car or taxi. Historic Downtown Honolulu, home to Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the United States), the King Kamehameha Statue, and Chinatown, is just a 15-minute drive from Waikiki.

(+) Leisure time can be enjoyed both within the hotel and in the surrounding area
(-) Both spa and fitness center lacked locker facilities

Dining & Lounge: Halekulani

From the 24-hour room service to the French cuisine served at the Mobil Four-Star La Mer, the Halekulani Hotel is a food connoisseur’s wonderland. There are three distinct restaurants and three lounges to suit your mood of the day -- or hour.

For casual dining, Orchids has a varied menu including health-conscious options and house specialties such as macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup -- a weekend tradition enjoyed by local families since the hotel’s early days. The service was courteous and helpful and I was promptly greeted upon arrival. I was not offered a choice of table, but there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house, so I settled in, relaxed, and had a very enjoyable meal. The portions were generous but not overtly so, and everything was flavorful with a wonderful presentation.

The Halekulani's signature restaurant and Mobil Four-Star recipient, La Mer, boasts a “neoclassical French” menu, which might seem incongruous in a tropical setting, but one dinner here quickly dispelled that notion. La Mer’s views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, the distant strains of Hawaiian music drifting in from House Without A Key, and the exquisite cuisine prepared with local seafood, made it all make sense. It was a Hawaiian/French dining experience extraordinaire.

Both House Without a Key, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor seaside gathering spot, and Lewers Lounge, a wood-paneled lounge reminiscent of an exclusive “gentleman’s club,” offer signature cocktails created especially for the hotel by master “mixologist” Dale DeGroff, formerly of The Rainbow Room.

Room service upheld the high level of Halekulani dining standards I had by now come to expect. My order was taken pleasantly and professionally. The operator was able to discuss the extensive menu in detail and, to my surprise, my order arrived a little earlier than promised. My server was excellent, setting up the table, asking if I want to eat outside on the lanai, and pouring my beverages. My entrée was delicious. Overall, my room service experience made me feel pampered and special.

(+) The restaurant and lounge offered excellent food in gorgeous settings
(+) Room service food and presentation exceeded expectations

Business Services: Halekulani

The Halekulani’s business center is full-service, state-of-the-art, and available 24-hours-a-day. It offers the customary computer terminals, high-speed Internet access, fax machines, and copiers, but also provides secretarial and courier services if needed. The staff greeted me upon my arrival and made themselves available throughout my time spent there. They also exhibited detailed knowledge about the equipment and services.

The hotel also offers several private rooms for conferences and meetings.

(+) Business travelers will find all the services and amenities they need