Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach

In July 2016, Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach began welcoming well-heeled guests from across the globe to its only resort on Oahu. (Ritz-Carlton also operates a resort in Kapalua, Maui.) As the name implies, the hotel is part residential condo and part resort. Waikiki visitors can book studio and one- to three-bedroom suites, but those who want to share these luxuriously appointed surroundings should be prepared to pay a hefty price for the privilege. While the posh hotel isn't beachside—it's about a half-mile away—rooms face the ocean and overlook the nearby 20-acre Fort DeRussy military reservation and park. BLT Market is Ritz-Carlton's signature restaurant and serves locally sourced, American-inspired cuisine. The hotel is also home to a Dean & DeLuca, a gourmet grocer out of New York.

room

Three levels of suites are available, Deluxe, Grand, and Premier, as well as studio options, all with ocean views in either the Ewa Tower or the newly opened Diamond Head Tower. Room types differ based on elevation, for better views of the ocean, as well as interior décor and furnishings. Each has a full kitchen with appliances and dishes, washer/dryer, lanai, multiple televisions, free Wi-Fi, and wine chiller. Interiors are chic and refined.

bathroom

Bathrooms at each level are spacious and luxurious. They include large soaking tubs with a rainfall shower right next to the tub (enclosed in their own room together), toilets in separate water closets with bidets and seat warmers, and large double vanities. There’s also an abundance of Asprey London toiletries, including standard items, plus dental kits, sewing kits, and more.

lobby

The Ritz-Carlton lobby helps start your vacation as soon as you walk off of the elevator from the ground level with an indoor/outdoor check-in. Cold towels and tropical fruit slush drink (with optional dark rum shot mixed in) help you relax as you check in with their incredibly pleasant staff. The design of this main hub for the Ewa Tower (the restaurants, pool, spa, and small business center are all accessed through the lobby) is influenced by an Hermes bag, with lots of leather and brass, made to feel timeless and luxurious.

The parking entrance can be a bit tricky to find -- pull up to the valet stand for Luxury Row shopping, and they’ll point you in the right direction.

pool

After completion of the resort, guests will be able find two infinity pools at Ritz-Carlton Residences, both of which are at the highest elevation in the area. The Diamond Head Tower pool is larger, family-friendly, and includes a lava rock slide. The Ewa Tower pool includes two hot tubs and private cabanas for this adults-only area.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Ritz-Carlton Waikiki is not on the beach, and is a bit of a walk to get to it. However, nice pools and other amenities help to make up for that.

spa

The Ritz-Carlton spa is a sleek and chic as the rest of the hotel, with four treatment rooms (including one couples room). Signature treatments combine local elements with traditional lomilomi massage to create a complete experience.

gym

The extremely impressive gym, designed by Harley Pasternak, has everything a guest could want and is open 24/7.

dining

Many guests plan their vacations in advance around Sushi Sho, a 10-seat sushi restaurant with just two seatings per night. Led by master chef Keiji Nakazawa, it is the restaurants first location to open outside of Japan. Another first is the hotel’s location of the gourmet food chain Dean & DeLuca, the first to open in Waikiki. The Market is another lovely dining option. Just off the lobby, this partially open-air restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, a new dining option and gourmet market will be opening soon in the Diamond Head tower.

drinking

Guests can grab a cocktail (or beer or wine) at the bar at The Market, set between the lobby and restaurant, this makes a nice place for socializing and meeting up with other guests.