Last edit by: margarita girl
Hotel email address: [email protected]
Reservations email address: [email protected]
Hotel's own website: https://www.royal-hawaiian.com/
Reservations email address: [email protected]
Hotel's own website: https://www.royal-hawaiian.com/
Royal Hawaiian Honolulu, Hawaii post renovation 2009 [Master Thread]
#91
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Marin County, CA
Programs: Marriott LT-TE, United Gold
Posts: 467
Just a note on Chris' excellent report: The spa suites are great, but there are only 6 or 8 of them I think (all in a row on ground floor of the Tower) and you shouldn't count on an upgrade, even if Platinum. We've been repeat guests there and while my wife and daughter were upgraded last year to that suite (after considerable cajoling on my part) that was when the hotel was half full in the summer of 2009. I tried to be equally persuasive this year and was unsuccessful. The hotel was sold out for our week. I suspect Chris' short stay improved his chances considerably.
As I said above, we loved our room and the hotel, but most of the hotel's rooms are completely different from Chris' pictures. Aloha!
As I said above, we loved our room and the hotel, but most of the hotel's rooms are completely different from Chris' pictures. Aloha!
I don't think there are many, if any, rooms in the Historic building that have balconies. All the rooms in the Tower have balconies. I like the Westin as well, but imo, the property, food, and overall ambience of the RH is far superior. I agree that Plats have much better chance of suite u/g in the Westin.
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
I don't believe they have laundry but the Westin next door does. You enter the Westin and walk left. There will be an elevator at the end of the hallway on the left. Take it down one (or possibly two) level(s).
#94
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 432
Greetings- I've read the hits and misses on upgrades at the RH here on the forum and was curious if anyone recently staying has had upgrades being a Platinum.
We're coming in December and deciding if we should go to the RH since never stayed there before; loved our past stays at the MS with suite upgrades..so dont want to pay more and get less (meaning not upgrades) at the RH..Thanks for the feedback
We're coming in December and deciding if we should go to the RH since never stayed there before; loved our past stays at the MS with suite upgrades..so dont want to pay more and get less (meaning not upgrades) at the RH..Thanks for the feedback
#95
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
I just completed a 3 night stay back in September (2 paid nights, 1 free wkd night) and was upgraded to a garden view suite which actually did have restricted ocean views as well from some of the windows. The room was gigantic (~800 sq ft). This was part of a 3 island trip during which I also stayed at the St Regis Princeville and the Sheraton Maui. My wife and I both agreed that the RH was from top to bottom the best experience of the 3 considering we were also traveling with our 2 year old. Had it just been the 2 of us, the St Regis would've probably eeked it out.
To contribute to the RH vs MS Westin argument - earlier this year (April) I stayed for 3 nights at the MS Westin and didn't even get put on the "SPG floor". I got a partial ocean view on the 4th floor - which is exactly what I booked- and was greeted by the front desk as if I was some guy off the street with no status. All of my money will go to RH or Hyatt when I travel to Honolulu from now on, which is at least 2x/year. My stay at the Hyatt in 2009 with absolutely NO status was second only to my most recent stay at RH. So good in fact that now Hyatt gets 25 stays per year out of me on top of the 25 that go to Starwood.
To contribute to the RH vs MS Westin argument - earlier this year (April) I stayed for 3 nights at the MS Westin and didn't even get put on the "SPG floor". I got a partial ocean view on the 4th floor - which is exactly what I booked- and was greeted by the front desk as if I was some guy off the street with no status. All of my money will go to RH or Hyatt when I travel to Honolulu from now on, which is at least 2x/year. My stay at the Hyatt in 2009 with absolutely NO status was second only to my most recent stay at RH. So good in fact that now Hyatt gets 25 stays per year out of me on top of the 25 that go to Starwood.
#96
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 432
I just completed a 3 night stay back in September (2 paid nights, 1 free wkd night) and was upgraded to a garden view suite which actually did have restricted ocean views as well from some of the windows. The room was gigantic (~800 sq ft). This was part of a 3 island trip during which I also stayed at the St Regis Princeville and the Sheraton Maui. My wife and I both agreed that the RH was from top to bottom the best experience of the 3 considering we were also traveling with our 2 year old. Had it just been the 2 of us, the St Regis would've probably eeked it out.
To contribute to the RH vs MS Westin argument - earlier this year (April) I stayed for 3 nights at the MS Westin and didn't even get put on the "SPG floor". I got a partial ocean view on the 4th floor - which is exactly what I booked- and was greeted by the front desk as if I was some guy off the street with no status. All of my money will go to RH or Hyatt when I travel to Honolulu from now on, which is at least 2x/year. My stay at the Hyatt in 2009 with absolutely NO status was second only to my most recent stay at RH. So good in fact that now Hyatt gets 25 stays per year out of me on top of the 25 that go to Starwood.
To contribute to the RH vs MS Westin argument - earlier this year (April) I stayed for 3 nights at the MS Westin and didn't even get put on the "SPG floor". I got a partial ocean view on the 4th floor - which is exactly what I booked- and was greeted by the front desk as if I was some guy off the street with no status. All of my money will go to RH or Hyatt when I travel to Honolulu from now on, which is at least 2x/year. My stay at the Hyatt in 2009 with absolutely NO status was second only to my most recent stay at RH. So good in fact that now Hyatt gets 25 stays per year out of me on top of the 25 that go to Starwood.
#97
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
1) Hotel has unsold suites - some Platinums are upgraded
2) Hotel's suites are sold - fewer Platinums are upgraded or upgrades are to better rooms but not to suites.
As can be seen from my history of posts, I am critical of properties that ignore SPG rules and don't upgrade when suites are obviously available (i.e., St. Regis SF, Blue Palace, Hotel Ivy Minneapolis, etc.). I've stayed at this hotel several times. As far as I could tell (research on spg.com), this hotel upgraded me when it could.
#98
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
As a HNL resident who does a lot of weekend getaways with my wife, I believe all the SPG in Waikiki do the best they can to upgrade plats. Occupancy is way up this year with a lot of sold out weekends even during off season - I mentioned in another hotel post that Japanese tourism is way up due to the weak dollar, tourists without status normally book the "once in lifetime" ocean views and these hotels are full - its hard to upgrade a completely full hotel.
#99
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 432
As a HNL resident who does a lot of weekend getaways with my wife, I believe all the SPG in Waikiki do the best they can to upgrade plats. Occupancy is way up this year with a lot of sold out weekends even during off season - I mentioned in another hotel post that Japanese tourism is way up due to the weak dollar, tourists without status normally book the "once in lifetime" ocean views and these hotels are full - its hard to upgrade a completely full hotel.
#100
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,350
Luxury Collection Luggage Liaison
I have an upcoming reservation and just received this email copied in below. Has anyone else ever been offered and/or used this service?
We are looking forward to your upcoming stay at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort.
For the finest travel experience, please learn more about our signature program Luggage Forward - the cornerstone of the brand's newest signature service, Luxury Collection Luggage Liaison. As part of the program, guest's baggage will be retrieved by Luggage Forward's door-to-door luggage delivery service prior to departure and sent to the hotel to be placed in the room and unpacked before the guest arrives, upon request.
For more info please contact the Concierge at (808) 923-7311.
For the finest travel experience, please learn more about our signature program Luggage Forward - the cornerstone of the brand's newest signature service, Luxury Collection Luggage Liaison. As part of the program, guest's baggage will be retrieved by Luggage Forward's door-to-door luggage delivery service prior to departure and sent to the hotel to be placed in the room and unpacked before the guest arrives, upon request.
For more info please contact the Concierge at (808) 923-7311.
#101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#102
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: VA Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 3,644
Greetings- I've read the hits and misses on upgrades at the RH here on the forum and was curious if anyone recently staying has had upgrades being a Platinum.
We're coming in December and deciding if we should go to the RH since never stayed there before; loved our past stays at the MS with suite upgrades..so dont want to pay more and get less (meaning not upgrades) at the RH..Thanks for the feedback
We're coming in December and deciding if we should go to the RH since never stayed there before; loved our past stays at the MS with suite upgrades..so dont want to pay more and get less (meaning not upgrades) at the RH..Thanks for the feedback
I was upgraded to a garden view suite in the newly renovated historic building. The suite was huge with two rooms, with a door to close off the sitting room. The bathroom is lovely with a fantastic shower head and lovely amenities but its very small and not what you would expect in a suite.
Although we missed having a great ocean view, this room was awesome. We loved everything about this hotel with the exception of the beach boys who insist on taking away all the chairs and umbrellas around 3.30pm, even if you are still using these items and are just taking a dip in the ocean. Other than that, it was outstanding and I cant wait to return. All other staff I came in contact with were excellent from housekeeping to management ^. Well done RH.
One thing I did notice which was mildly frustrating, despite my request to move to an ocean view suite if one become available, I was told there were none. Yet I did see them available online each day . I was in relax mode and couldnt be bothered having a daily argument over this with the check in staff, so I let it be and felt glad to have a suite even if it was the garden view not ocean view. Perhaps RH is slightly more reticent to upgrade to their ocean view suites.
Staff told us that the tower is currently being renovated but its a slow process and they are going floor by floor. I think its from the top floor down. I would stay away from the tower until its renovated.
Re the laundry: The RH does not have a self service laundry. However when I asked about this service, I was given a key to access the Sheraton Waikiki laundry. The SW has two floors with guest laundry: 5th and 18th floors.
#103
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Varies
Programs: Mariott Plat, *wood Plat, Hyatt Diamond, United 1K
Posts: 280
Just a quick datapoint
Stayed here recently and was upgraded to garden suite (living room and bedroom).
Upgrade was offered on a first-come first serve basis (Platinum upgrade suites were handed out to the first plats checking in).
Stayed here recently and was upgraded to garden suite (living room and bedroom).
Upgrade was offered on a first-come first serve basis (Platinum upgrade suites were handed out to the first plats checking in).
#104
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: RIC
Programs: US CP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, *wood Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,600
#105
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
One thing I did notice which was mildly frustrating, despite my request to move to an ocean view suite if one become available, I was told there were none. Yet I did see them available online each day . I was in relax mode and couldnt be bothered having a daily argument over this with the check in staff, so I let it be and felt glad to have a suite even if it was the garden view not ocean view. Perhaps RH is slightly more reticent to upgrade to their ocean view suites.
Staff told us that the tower is currently being renovated but its a slow process and they are going floor by floor. I think its from the top floor down. I would stay away from the tower until its renovated.
Staff told us that the tower is currently being renovated but its a slow process and they are going floor by floor. I think its from the top floor down. I would stay away from the tower until its renovated.