Has anyone stayed at the Kahala Mandarin ORiental? We are planning a trip there in October. I have been to Maui and loved it, I fear that I will not like Honolulu as much. What do you think????

Thanks in advance for your reply!!

This is one of the best resorts in the islands. In fact, the two Four Seasons (Maui, Big Island) and the Lodge at Koele are the only higher rated resorts. The Mandarin is off by itself away from the bustle and touristiness of Waikiki and is a great for relaxing. Service is outstanding. I can't imagine you'll regret this choice unless you were seeking the 'Waikiki experience'.

Having just returned from there, I have "mixed" feelings about the resort, although most are positive. On the plus side, Jerry is correct about what he said. The setting/location are just beautiful and feel very private (it's at the "dead end" of an exclusive street in the Kahala district), and the service/food are wonderful. And I also like the beach better than any I've seen on Maui, mainly because the water is calm and clear (clear on most days). However, my "mixed" feelings come into play because I certainly don't think the room is on the same level as a Four Seasons/Ritz Carlton (or even the Grand Wailea or Kea Lani) as it is rather "stark" and plain looking when you first walk into the room and not as large as the aforementioned hotels (looks better on the website). In other words, I really was expecting something more luxurious than I saw (the "Wow" factor, if you know what I mean). And the hotel does feel rather "aged" in some ways as well because, after all, it is somewhat old! However, the 4-poster bed is certainly one of the most comfortable I've ever slept on in any hotel (apparently courtesy of Simmons Beautyrest)! Also, if you are strictly a pool person and not a beach person, then you will be disappointed by the pool as it is rather small and not very impressive. I am not a pool person so I didn't care at all! By the way, if you don't actually like to "sit" on your balcony but just like to "stand" at the railing instead, you can save quite a bit of money by selecting a room without a balcony (yes, folks, it was built that way!). You will have a sliding glass door that simply opens to a railing and nothing more, but it is actually just as nice as having a balcony if you simply want to "stand" and watch the scenery instead of sitting! Just a note: The deluxe mountain views and partial ocean views have WONDERFUL views (request a high floor)! So, even with the few nagatives I mentioned, would I actually return to this resort in the future? Absolutely! There is just "something" very special about this place that I really like a lot, and it's only a gorgeous 15-minute drive away from beautiful Hanauma Bay which you simply must see at least once (and keep driving past Hanauma for even more beautiful scenery)! By the way, here's a tip if you want to see the most gorgeous scenery without driving around the entire island: Just drive back and forth a couple of times through the Pali Highway and Liki-Liki Highways for some outstanding scenery (look at your map--these two roads are parallel to each other, with an actual "look-out" stop on the Pali one)! Also, it's good that you're going in October when there will be less traffic because in August it was just awful (like Los Angeles), and I will absolutely never again go to Oahu during any of the summer months in the future! Anyway, kindly post a trip report upon your return, good or bad! Have fun!

Sorry this is so long.....I have visited the Kahala Mandarin but not stayed. I have to agree with most of the above post.....before I forget I want to add that in addition to the Pali and Likelike drive you also want to do the coastal drive from Diamond head (morning chock full of windsurfers), and coastal drive extending from Hawaii Kai these are all very near Kahala. Jerry I hope you did not miss these nearby and amazing drives.

I was just in Oahu and stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village because I had kids with me. Yuck it was like going on a giant class trip. People People and more people. My guest would not step one foot into Waikiki even though I only planned one night stay before heading out to the North Shore.

The brunch at the Kahala a steep $35 (expensive) for the island is great and frequented by locals. The beach is nice but I much prefer the beaches of Kahala and Waimanalo (sp) on the Windward side. Lanikai use to be wonderful but has been over developed.


What is your alternative to the Mandarin Oriental, I am not sure there is a better alternative unless you are looking for a busy environment. Jerry, loved your suggestions on room price cuts can't wait for my next trip to try them out.

Mitch don't forget to check out Hawaii Visitors Bureau for events taking place in October. I would also check out theatre at the University of Hawaii. They some times have Kabuki presentations that one long time resident described to me as one of the best experiences on the island.

...re-reading your post I have to tell you that you cannot expect Maui on Oahu. Considerable marketing of the island would have you believe that you will find the same isolation of the neighboring islands. That is not why you should come to Oahu. What the mayor's office and others involved in marketing of Oahu should realize is Oahu hosts a different draw altogether. Yes you can take a drive and see beautiful landscape but you are never really that far from hussle and bussle and having the expectation that you will be can be disappointing. People should go to Oahu to discover the history and cultures of the communities that live there. You can learn so much about Asian Culture. A simple trip to Byodo temple on the Windward side takes you well outside of the U.S and into Japan. A visit to the Japanese Cultural center shows you not only Japanese history on Oahu but sometimes even a place a traditional tea Ceremony. Beyond this there are frequent exchanges with Japan that provide public exhibitions and celebrations. A treat if you do not access to many things Asian.

I live in NYC but have never had the kind of Chinese food I have discovered in China town on Oahu. Legends Seafood being my favorite experience but Won Kee was great for Dungess Crab.

Apart from this there are endless festivals and events that celebrate the many different ethnic communities on Oahu. You also have Bishop Museum now also in Waikiki to learn about native history i.e the monarchy. Don’t forget a trip to Iolani Palace , Pear Harbor. In my mind this is why you come to Oahu. Fine dining and Activities, other more commercial activities are also available. You can still find hikes and seek out limited seclusion but you are not going to get the seclusion you had on Maui.

If seclusion is your goal I would first recommend the North Shore of Kauai. But given your travel time of October the big Island might be a better choice. Think about it the volcano at night is pretty spectacular. October is pretty slow if you are worried about securing new accommodations at such a late Date. I make this final recommendation because I took my sister to Oahu after Kauai this summer. She was disappointed and had little interest for the things I think are the real highlights of a trip to Oahu.

I absolutely loved the kahala. We were there last oct for five days for a post cruise stay. We reserved a mountain view but was upgraded to moutain view half suite on the end. It was a suite with half closed off I think if it were fully open it would be considered an oceanview.That section faced the ocean. We had a canopy bed, seperate his and her sink areas,huge marble tub,seperate marble shower enclosed in glass, seperate water closet and the famous balcony. We actually pulled our wing back chairs in front of the balcony. This room also had a loveseat. I swore I would never stay anywhere also if i ever made it back to ohau. Well, I just returned three days ago. First we went to maui,we only had one day on the cruise. We stayed at the Kea Lani for five days.I do feel this was equal to The Kahala. The room was about the same size but this maybe do to the upgrade at Kahala to the half suite. Also we were given an upgrade at The Kea Lani to an oceanview. Awesome!! Ate at Nick's twice the best meals I've had in hawaii except possibly Hoku's at the Kahala. Both exspensive both worth every mouth full. Now the bad part. The reason for quick return to hawaii was due to a deal with The Hilton Grand Vacation Club. I was there from 8/21 thru 8/26. Price was $750.00 for 1 bdr suite with full kitchen for 5 days. The bargin hunter in me came out and I just had to go back but without The Kahala. We get there and they tell all suites have been taken by the owners but we can stay at The Rainbow Tower,part of the hilton resort. We were placed in a corner mini suite room 1200 with two balconies, excellent views.One side was the harbor and city the other side was the ocean. Was a little disappointed. This in no way compared to either The Kahala or The Kea Lani. But again the bargin side of me took over. I was given $300.00 back on my credit card, $200.00 Hilton dollars to spend anywhere on the resort, One breakfast and five dinner coupons for me and hubby for there on site restaurants.
This was worth anywhere from $250 to $325. Plus a five day parking pass,self parking is $10.00 a day. So, the way I see it(the bargin side of me) my stay was free. I for got to mention the coupons limited what you could have on the menu. Bali by the Sea offered what we would normally have one appetizer and one entree of choice. This was the best meal there, since I could have what I wanted. We didn't use the last two coupons. We went to Sam Choy's one night and Sarentos(sister rest to nick's). Both were very good. Would I have been dissapointed if I had paid full price for this room? Definitely!!! The resort is not that bad. But it wasn't me I prefer the pampering at the K's. Everybody had that Aloha spirt and they were eager to make your vacation extra special. Don't get me wrong I had an excellent time this trip. I was back in hawaii!!!!. If you don't rent a car the last shuttle from waikiki leaves from the Royal shopping Center for the Kahala at 8:45 p.m. Enjoy your trip!!

Well, I must say, "xxx" and "Cheri," you certainly typed as much (or more) than I did in my response! Anyway, xxx, I think you were referring to my response, not Jerry's, regarding the room price cuts, etc.! Anyway, if your first question was really for me and not for Jerry, well, no, I did not miss Hawaii Kai, etc., because you have to drive past that area in order to get to Hanauma Bay to begin with! So, perhaps I should really clarify that to Mitch once again if he decides to go: When you leave the Kahala, you will simply follow the main road East all the way around the island until you come to both the Pali Highway and Liki-Liki Highway as mentioned before (this is past Hanauma Bay, if you decide to even go further), and then you can return the same way or you can catch the H1 freeway at the end of either highway mentioned and come back that way (towards Waikiki, not Honolulu!). But, of course, it's so much nicer simply taking that beautiful drive back again! By the way, xxx, I had a good laugh about your visit to the Hilton Hawaiian Village because that is where I stayed on my very first visit to Hawaii centuries ago, and had a fantastic Diamond Head view in the Rainbow Tower at that time. But, on a subsequent return visit, after staying at the gorgeous Grand Wailea on Maui and Hyatt Regency on Kauai, well, let's just say that it was disappointing beyond words, and, as you said, tons and tons of people everywhere!! I couldn't wait to get out of there, checked out the next day and went to the Halekulani instead which was wonderful! Isn't it funny how one's perspective changes over the years, i.e., from liking the HHV the first time and absolutely hating it the second time around?!? Of course, at this stage in my life, I will never return to Waikiki ever again--period!! Again, as for Mitch, I really don't get the impression that he wants to do all of that sightseeing either! Of course, I could be wrong, but I just don't think he wants to do that! Anyway, I have a few comments for Cheri in the next post as I don't want to make this one too long!

Okay, Mon Cheri, now on to you! Yes, it is quite apparent that you had a much larger "suite" at the Kahala, especially if you're comparing the size to the Kea Lani, which is about 850 sq. feet, I believe! You certainly must have been in heaven with that room and view (I was ocean front and could see Koko Head as well)!! It's also good that you went in October which no doubt helped with your upgrade. Like I said before, never again in the summertime!! Now, depending on what end of the hotel you were on at the time, you should have been able to see a good chunk of the ocean/Koko Head as well if you turned your head to the right side. If not, well, apparently you were on the other side. But, as you can recall, the mountains are beautiful as well, especially at night! By the way, Cheri, do you agree with me about the ocean at the Kea Lani vs. the ocean in front of the Kahala or does it not matter to you that much? Or are you, too, strictly a pool person? I've only eaten at Nick's in Waikiki--excellent! Next time you're in Wailea, try Seasons at the Four Seasons Resort, also excellent!! Oh, I see you were at the "Village," too! HA! But at least you got a good deal, but I can tell that you will also never go back there either! Who would want to?!?!!! That's three of us that have permanently said Bye-Bye to the HHV!!!

Hi Jay,
I didn't get to see the actual ocean view at Kahala. That section of the suite was closed off. But the mountains were beautiful. Actual every inch of the place was. Nick's in waikiki was on my list but Mrs. Bargain was trying to use the coupons until the last two nights. It wasn't worth the two restaurants that were offered. I selected Sarento's because the manager at Nick's made reservations for us while we were still at The Kea Lani. He really went to extra mile for us so we could have a nice view (27th floor) of the fireworks at the Hilton. What we didn't realize was the fireworks were set off right in front of our room. Dah!!I'll make sure I try both the Seasons and Nicki's in waikiki next time. I thought it would be two years but... has anyone seen the cruise deals to hawaii.There begging for people-inside room $899pp-outside balcony $1329pp for seven days on the new ncl star. They even leave out of Maui now. So you know I'd have to squeeze a couple of days at Kea Lani. Still checking finances but Mrs. Bargain says "go for it". Those were the brochure special sales, so I know there at least one to three hundred less through the travel agents. I'm not too much of a pool person. I'can't sit still long enough. I have to see, eat and buy everything.Hubbie's back keeps us from running around to much,tight close keep me from eating to much(always lose at least ten pounds so I can still fit in my clothes on the way home) and debit cards keeps the spending under control. I always spread funds around between different cards,due to daily limits. We use credit cards to for rental cars and Hotel holds. Then pay cash or use debit card in the end. Let me stop for now! I hate typing. I know you would never know it....

Guess I'll join in, although I'l try to be more brief. I love the Mandarin, and will not stay anywhere else in Honolulu. I've also stayed at the Moana Surfrider and Ihilani Resort on Oahu, and the Grand Wailea, Kea Lani and Ritz Carlton on Maui. The Kahala Mandarin is my favorite of them all. Each hotel has its pluses -- Moana has the beautiful old building, Ilikai has beautiful rooms and grounds, Grand Wailea has the spa and grounds, Kea Lani has great suites and bathrooms, and the Ritz... actually, I wasn't too thrilled with the Ritz. Anyway, the Kahala Mandarin is the best all-round hotel, in my opinion. The rooms are very nice (I happen to like the decor and don't think the hotel is dated and old yet -- it was totally renovated around 1995), service is wonderful, the location and beach are very nice, the breakfast and brunch buffets are great, and, like Jay says, there's just something special about the Mandarin. Hard to put a finger on. If you're looking for a hotel in Honolulou similar to Maui, I think the Mandarin is your best bet. Waikiki would be too busy and crowded for you. The Ihilani is also an option since it's pretty secluded, but if you're on Oahu, you'd might as well situate yourself to enjoy Honolulu, and the Mandarin is better situated for that than the Ihilani.