At a Glance
Once a getaway for Hollywood celebrities, this posh resort in an upscale neighborhood continues to attract a select crowd.
Indagare Loves
- Stunning location in an elegant neighborhood just beyond Waikiki
- Excellent dining at Hoku’s for dinner and Plumeria Beach House for brunch
- Playful dolphins in the private lagoon
Review
The Kahala, tucked away in the upscale neighborhood of the same name, about ten minutes from Waikiki, began life in the early 1960s when Conrad Hilton set out to build a secluded celebrity getaway. For many years, the Kahala Hilton, which occupies more than six acres, drew Hollywood stars from John Wayne to Frank Sinatra, in part thanks to its 800-foot private beach with views of the Diamond Head Crater. (In 1990, the hotel was sold to another group and today it is part of the Landmark Hotel Group and Leading Hotels of the World.) The 343 guest rooms, 21 of which are suites, are spacious and have all been thoughtfully renovated and common spaces were further revamped in 2017 with a new casual restaurant Kids will love the Dolphin Quest, where a couple of bottlenose dolphins frolic. Even if you’re not staying here, come for dinner at Hoku’s, the hotel’s beachside restaurant.
Who Should Stay
The Kahala will appeal to families and couples who want to enjoy the natural beauty of Hawaii in elegant surroundings, but still be a short drive from shopping and dining.
Written by Indagare