DCF

Get some Royal Hawaiian towels, rent a car and go to Kailua Beach instead. Much better beach - just too busy on weekends! That's why the Obamas go there each winter.

alanslegal

Yeah but if one is going to get some towels, drive their car to another beach, then one might as well stay at a hotel three blocks off Waikiki Beach and save plenty of money. I am not a fan of the reservation system but that's the system they have in place and it stops people from waking up at 7:00 in the morning to go book a chair that they won't use till past lunch time. I guess those 7:00 am people now just pay for their chairs

Off topic, we were in Cyprus a few weeks ago and the hotel we stayed at - you reserve your beach chairs and umbrella (for free) - and it is yours for the entire stay. I did feel kind of bad when we did a couple of day tours and did not make use of the chairs but hey, that's the system they had in place there.

TravelingAssociate

Currently nearing the end of a 4-night stay at RH (SPG Plat). Some observations:

(1) Received an upgrade to a junior suite in the old tower for one of my two rooms booked (Maliana tower for the other). But had to fight/negotiate for 15 minutes with the front desk agent (who repeatedly had to check with the manager each and every time I made a counter-proposal) to get it. The process was almost similar to buying a new car. Mind you this was after several calls to the Platinum line and emails with the SPG social media team to let them know that two different special occasions (my engagement, my parents 40th wedding anniversary) were being celebrated.

(2) Jr Suite in Old Tower is nice, but bathrooms are absolutely tiny. I understand this is a very old property, but just an FYI when considering old tower vs Mailani.

(3) Service has been indifferent at best, rude at worst. Example - checking in, I noticed the separate Plat check-in line was empty. I approach the desk and was immediately told "the line starts over there" and pointed to the end of the standard checkin line. Not exactly a stellar welcome! When I pointed out that this was the platinum desk, the checkin agent rolled her eyes and reluctantly began the check in process. She also repeatedly told me how "lucky" I was to get an upgrade (see #1 above).

(4) The "lounge" spread is a joke for breakfast - I've seen better spreads at airport Holiday Inns. Slightly better in the afternoon when there is at least some free booze.

(5) Generally no issues with the beach chair reservations system. I don't like it but I guess I understand why the system is in place. The beach folks are the few RH employees I've encountered who seem actually happy to serve their guests.

(6) Potentially this is just part of a larger Waikiki issue, but the service here is just not even close to what is usually expected of a "luxury" property. If I return to Waikiki I would look to avoid RH, but frankly I haven't heard any glowing reviews of other properties in the area.

Overall, I understand that (in theory) the appeal here is that you get beach access and an old Hawaii vibe. Just don't expect the kind of service culture that you might otherwise find at traditional "luxury" properties.

MOZBOB

Have 5 nights booked with points and applied SNAs for the stay. Fingers crossed they will clear. If the SNAs clear, does anyone have experience whether the hotel trades a suite with a room in the Mailani Tower, provided they're available?
I'd rather have a room with nice view and balcony than a suite without.....

CRAZ8

I was just in the Mailani Tower this week. As of December 15, the evening part of the lounge service ends at 7:30 instead of 8pm. We didn't eat much of the food there, and the wine choices aren't great, but the beer was very welcome, and the service from the lounge staff was pretty good.

navatwal

I dont see any reward availability online for a stay in Nov, do I have to call to book reward nights at this property?

Starwood Lurker

If standard rooms are sold out, you can call to check for the availability of upgrade awards.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

SportsTech

just spent 3 nights here and had a substantially different experience. Of course, expectations are highly personal and perhaps we weren't expecting much based on all the criticism in this thread, but we had a lovely time. P&C stay; we were upgraded without asking to a Meilani Tower room overlooking the pool, it was a pleasant place to enjoy mornings and evenings, We didn't spend much/any day time in the room, so don't know if noise from the pool would have been an issue but I doubt it.

Service everywhere in the hotel, from valet parking to front desk agents to all of the other staff we met, was genuinely friendly and they all seemed to be happy to see us. I agree that the Meilani Tower breakfast "spread" is pretty simplistic (fresh fruit, Greek yoghurt, cereals, 3 or 4 different types of pastries) but it was also delicious. I took the Surf Lanai breakfast coupon option instead of the 500 points and used it twice; it was a good choice: the table service was excellent, and the $15 upgrade to the full breakfast was worthwhile and not overpriced for a legitimate 4 star property.

This is an iconic "grand old lady" of a property and, as others have noted, it isn't for everyone. We had a great time, and we'll look forward to going back someday.

SkyTeam777

What is the evening spread like in the Mailani Tower? For how long, and only free wine and beer? Is it for all guests in the tower only Platinums and suite rooms?

SportsTech

Sorry, can't provide any details because I never made it to the lounge in the evening. Hours were 5:00-7 or 7:30 if I remember, and it is open to all guests in the Tower wing. Same is true for breakfast.

dtman85

I was there in November. There were foods in the lounge during the evening.
The lounge were for Mailani tower guests and Platinums.

margarita girl

Can you elaborate on the variety and quantity of food? What was your opinion of the food?

dtman85

The food was okay, they served hot food. There were plenty of food, but the lounge was crowded during that time.

I can recall a few nights what they had:
Shrimp Dumpling and Pork Dumpling (Tasted like the prepackaged one at the supermarket)
California roll (Convenience store quality)
Cold cut meats (good)
Samosa (nope)

But my wife thought everything was disgusting

I will be there again from March 14 - 19.

SkyTeam777

That's impressive. I thought the Mailani Tower has hundreds of rooms...how can the lounge accommodate that? Is the wine/beer self-serve?

clublounger

168 rooms plus a handful of suites.