AVOID RECOMMENDATION - HALEKULANI HONOLULU HI
 

What once was the class hotel of Oahu in the 80's has turned into a marginal overpriced run of the mill property.
For the $300 - $400 you pay a night for an entry level class room you do not get value in service or quality.
The pool area has inadequate shaded chairs or umbellas for its guest and not even a Jacuzzi either or water toys for its guests. The restaurant service at both House without a Key and Orchids is both slow ,expensive and marginal quality.
There is a lack of reasonable non smoking areas on the property and guests are subjected to second hand smoke in all outdoor areas.
When there are noise disturances and security issues the hotel staff up to management is unresponsive as well as refuses to give any reasonable consideration for any problems that arrise.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS RATING F

The Halekulani continues to be an award-winning, outstanding property -- known and respected worldwide for their impeccable accommodations, fine dining, and precedent-setting personalized customer service.

The clientele who make the Halekulani their annual island "home", are those who favor gracious hospitality, over Jacuzzis and poolside umbrellas.

Re: cigarette smoke outdoors, I hate it too. Don't you wish someone would pass a law which prohibited exhaling?? :-D

Your first post...
You sure you don't work for a competitor? I think maybe you are...
The reviews on Tripadvisor for this hotel are very good.

I was with a group of hotel people last week and one admitted to posting bad comments about competitors on Fodors and Tripadvisor.

I had dinner at this hotel last summer while staying at the Mandarin Oriental. I work in the the travel industry and look at things with a highly crtical eye. Our dinner was awful! So bad we could only laugh to save the evening. Service was very poor and the pool area left much to be desired, at glance (needless to say we didn't use the pool). We were very glad we hadn't stayed at the hotel. The rooms would have to be more than outstanding to make up for what I saw (I had been taken to see the rooms about 7 or 8 years ago and not found them particularly fabulous then). I wish people would understand how "awards" and "stars" are given out in the travel industry. They often have little to do with reality!

Hi Welch... your word I trust!
Where are you TA?

Berkeley. I've been "in the business" for 27 years, although times are tough. My clients come to me because they know I'll give them the straight story and not sell up!

Yep, times are tough.
I have been in the industry for a long time, too but never had the creativity and patience to be a agent who books leisure. I have a lot of respect for those who have hung in there...
There is no way in heck I would ever attempt booking an expensive trip without hiring a destination specialist.
If I am spending 5-10k on a trip, the fees charged by even the best agent are well worth it!
I moved into hotel consulting and automation. I teach hotels how agents and consumers shop... all from an automation perspective. It's a great job that takes me all over.
Next trip is to Luxury Travel Expo in LAS!