When Honolulu is brought up, quite often it is glitzy Waikiki Beach that comes to mind. And for many, staying amid all that hustle and bustle does not sound like a very relaxing prospect for a beach vacation. But about a mile south of Waikiki, on the way to Diamond Head, there is a sleepy hotel, across the street from a sprawling park, which used to be known as the New Otani and is now called the Kaimana Beach Hotel.
The New Otani is a hotel brand from Japan which divested its Honolulu location which was rebranded as the Kaimana Beach Hotel. I was always shocked that the laid back New Otani Honolulu was part of the same company as the New Otani Tokyo, which is borderline stuffy and often home to many business meetings. As far as I can tell, nothing much has changed since the rebranding at the Honolulu location other than a slight update to the lobby. The bizarre interior courtyard which feels like a roadside motel remains the same! But no matter what the name, the Kaimana Beach Hotel or the New Otani Honolulu will always be one of my favorite paces in Hawaii to stay.
The rooms at the Kaimana Beach Hotel
Most of the rooms have balconies which, depending on your luck and how much you are willing to pay for the rooms, may overlook the beach, the park, or the parking lot. From some of the rooms, there is a stunning view of Diamond Head. The balconies have chairs and a little table but from experience, unless you are situated in a beach view balcony, it’s unlikely that the outdoor furniture gets much use.
As with the rest of the hotel, the room feels a little bit like a roadside motel, but in the most charming way possible. The furnishings are basic but functional. The air conditioning works well and the beds are comfortable. The bathroom is where the motel vibes really kick into high gear, but the experience is elevated with cute hotel branded toiletries. A new paint job and festive shower curtain also assist in livening up the bathroom as they used to be quite plain.
The service at the Kaimana Beach Hotel
The bartenders are friendly, the housekeepers greet you in the halls, and interactions with the front desk have been pleasant. While the valet may look like he’s fresh out of middle school, he’ll get your car to you in one piece.
The one thing that I was disappointed by was that one of the best amenities of the hotel, the water bottle fill station by the door to the beach, wasn’t working for a good portion of the trip. I pointed this out to both housekeeping and the front desk but they didn’t seem too troubled by it. It still was not fixed by the time I checked out.
We only had breakfast at the restaurant once, and the server was quite friendly and easygoing as a server at a beachside Hawaiian hotel restaurant should be. Of course, the prices for breakfast and the nearby bar are not particularly friendly, but that’s Hawaii for you.
The location of the Kaimana Beach Hotel
If you are hearty, it is definitely possible to walk to Waikiki from the Kaimana Beach Hotel. However, if you are looking to stay closer to home, there are plenty of activities closer to home. Of course, there is the beach right in front of the hotel, where you won’t see much in the way of snorkeling but if you are lucky, you may get a visit from a rare Hawaiian monk seal. It was shocking to me how many swimmers didn’t notice the visitor, but the lifeguard made sure with the help of his megaphone that the swimmers were staying away from the endangered species which is known to bite if it feels threatened.
If a Hawaiian monk seal sighting whets your appetite for some more marine animal sightings, you’re in luck, because the closest attraction to the hotel is the Honolulu Aquarium. The aquarium is a great option if the rain is interfering with your beach plans. While there are plenty of fish that you might see in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands, there are also animals from further afield as well. It’s a small aquarium but with the plethora of colorful tropical fish on display, it’s a good option for kids and adults alike.
There are a couple of great nearby restaurant options, which, like the hotel itself, are not particularly stunning or top of the line, but are comfortable and reliable. The best acai bowl in town can be found at Bogaert’s Café, but you should get there early enough, or else the line to order will eat up a significant part of your morning. For lunch and dinner, the nearby South Shore Grill offers up comfort food and some good teriyaki. From the hotel, both of these spots are a twenty-minute walk through lovely Kapiolani Park, which is also a popular place for yoga and family picnics. But you don’t need to go so far if you are just looking for a cup of coffee to start the morning, there is a small shopping arcade including a cafe and convenience store just outside the hotel where you can find essentials.
The bottom line
The Kaimana Beach Hotel is not a luxury hotel for someone looking for the most high-end hotel Honolulu has to offer. However, it is calm, comfortable, reliable and laid back with a great location and perfectly acceptable rooms. A friend of mine has enough money to stay at any hotel in Hawaii but consistently chooses the Kaimana Beach Hotel and refers to it as his happy place. Next time you are in Hawaii, if you are looking for a place to stay a bit away from the hustle and bustle with the comfort of your favorite roadside motel (in the best possible way!) check out the Kaimana Beach Hotel. It might just become your happy place as well.
