Hello, I am trying to decide if this resort would be good for us. Is is possible to find a quiet spot along the beach (or a spot with beach views) that is nice and relaxing, no commotion? From what I've read it is in a less noisy part of HNL....

Alternatively, how is the Ihilani these days? We used to travel to this resort yearly until Marriott took over and the hotel became more crowded. Is the pool busy these days?

The most important thing to us is the privacy/quiet issue.

We would like to try the Halekulani but I'm not sure...

Thanks for any input.

Halekulani is right on Waikiki Beach. It's a lovely spot, but I dont think that area of Waikiki is any quieter than others. And last time i was there (Thanksgiving) the sand was not as velvety soft there as in front of the Outrigger--Sheraton Moana Surfrider part of the beach.
Sorry, don't know about the Ihilani.

travelinwifey, I haven't stayed at either hotel, but I did stay across the street from the Halekulani earlier this year and spent a fair amount of time there.

The hotel is lovely, but I'm not sure I would consider the beach there to be quiet and secluded, if that's what you are looking for. There is a fairly busy walking path that runs between the hotel and the beach and, IIRC, the beach is actually quite narrow right in front of the hotel. Try doing a google image search and you should get some pictures that show the beach area in front of the hotel.

I stayed at the Halekulani about 10 years ago and the beach was very small there. This meant crowded if the hotel was full of guests. I do not know about the Marriott. We visited the Hilton Hawaiian Village and this seemed to have a very large beach in front. I am not sure about crowds though.

Thanks so much CaliNurse, ms_go, and girlonthego Happy New Year!

I would imagine there's no way to escape the crowds of the Waikiki shore, but it looks as though there has been a lot of beach erosion....I just don't know. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental once and checked out because it was just too busy for us.

Tripadvisor reviews are confusing, many people say the hotel is quiet, but I'm not sure what quiet is to them either, we're looking for great views, a spot you can curl up with a book and not be disturbed for the day.....on Oahu because of the direct flights from our city

I've stayed at the Ihilani and I thought it was pretty quiet and private, especially being so far from Waikiki. However, I have a friend staying there as I write this (1/1/05) and he says that he doesn't find it as private as he would like. He's experiencing a huge amount of kids, which makes for a noisier time at the pool & beach. Maybe it depends on what time of year?

How about the Turtle Bay Resort? I have not been there, but thought I might mention it since no one has brought it up as a possibility.
-Bill

Yes.... we stayed at the Turtle Bay and it was quiet, however I don't think my can take seeing all the stray kitties again.

Thanks Melissa, that's what I was wondering. Before Marriott purchased the hotel was perfect for us, but from what I hear a lot of travelers use their points to stay at the resort now and bring their children. And then there's the timeshare factor. I don't have anything wrong with kids, it's just that hubby needs to clear his head when we go away and need a quiet environment.

I don't know if this is achieveable on Oahu, I hope we don't sound too picky, that is why we were also looking at the cruise option.

How about the Kahala Mandarin? I have to admit I don't know much about staying there but it seems to be another of those off-Waikiki alternatives.

Thanks Melissa Yes, we tried the Mandarin and checked out after one night because it was so busy, and went back to the Ihilani. There just happened to be a golf competition going on at the same time we arrived. That was a few years ago though.

If anyone has stayed it the Halekulani I'd love to hear about it......

When we were at the Halekulani it was a very quiet and nice hotel. I never found it to be busy. We went in the month of Dec many years ago. I did remember the small beach area. It is the highest rated hotel in Honolulu, I believe. I remember being able to walk to a lot of stores and stuff. So, I don't think it is in a quiet area. I wish I could help you more. I do remember it being a very nice hotel with a neat history. It has been around a long time.

We stayed at the Halekulani three years ago - and while we thought the hotel itself was just wonderful - I don't imagine there is anyplace in Waikiki that would suit your criteria -
We were there in September and the pool area and beach front were continually busy although there is a large area of lawn as well - on which you might have been able to find a 'quiet nook'!

Okay You have both given me a resonable amount of hope. When I have time tomorrow I am going to try to google photos of the hotel and look for quiet spots.....

Hi travelinwifey,

This is not my best picture ever but it might give you some perspective. This is looking down at the Halekulani's pool and the beach area around it, taken from our balcony at the Waikiki Parc across the street (last March).

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...42279994TzsoSR

The umbrellas on the right-hand side are in the bar area (House Without a Key). You can see the rails for the walking path that runs along the sea wall between the hotel and ocean. I think there's more lawn area obscured by the roof that was below us. When we were visiting, there was a security person patrolling the pool area and the hotel's beach access points to keep non-guests away.

Hope this is helpful.

Aw....ms_go, those photos of Hawaii are really beautiful, makes me anxious to go back. By your photo and subsequent pictures found through google I sea that Hal. really has no beach, something I notice a few complain about. The hotel itself looks really grand, but the grounds are not very big, also it appears we would not be able to pull lawn chairs very far away from the community pool.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the New Ritz Carlton to be built, perhaps we should consider the BI.

Thanks so much

The Halekulani has a tiny beach in front, and because it is so tiny, it's always crowded when I've seen it.

The hotel's pool is right behind the beach, with lots of lounge chairs surrounding the pool and on the lawn separating it from the hotel itself. A pedestrian walkway runs between the beach and the pool area - and there is constant traffic from the people walking along the beach.

The Ihilani's grounds are more spacious, and the 5 beach coves will probably offer you a greater chance of quiet. The coves are open to the public, but since the gravel parking lot was closed and the individual cove's parking lots are so limited, I wonder if the crowds have been reduced. I haven't been since they restricted the parking so much - you literally have to be there by 7 am on the weekends to get a space.

I just returned from the Halekulani. The hotel was first class and was constantly pampered. But the beach and pool does not have any place to be alone.

I then stayed at the north shore at a bed and breakfast right on the banzai pipeline. Santa's bed and breakfast- booked through hawaii's best bandb. We had the whole beach to ourselves, only us and the surfers. Highly recommend! Rough waves of course, so can't wade out past your knees

Thanks so much cheaper and jh0507.

Yes, it sounds like the Halekulani will be too busy for us. Ihilani, I have to keep researching...but I don't think it will do.

I am excited about Santa's B&B! Will look it up right now....

Ooooo Santa's looks really good!