The Best Is Yet To Come At Ka La’i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts

29.05.2024 - 13:17 / forbes.com

Tell people you’re going to Hawaii, and you’ll be met with enthuastic questioning, namely: “Where are you staying?” Tell them you’re going to Waikiki, however, and watch their giddy expressions wane. Ann Hood summed it up best in this 2023 New York Times article: “Lately, it’s become fashionable to dismiss Waikiki as a playland for tourists and not the ‘real’ Hawaii.”

My take: are over four million visitors who spend their vacations and hard-earned money in Waikiki wrong? Also, who has the authority to claim what’s authentic and real? As long as you’re enjoying yourself and making memories, that’s all that matters—period.

Given Waikiki’s popularity as a tourist destination, the competition between hotels is stiff. But if you’re seeking luxury accommodations in a quieter setting that still feels distinctly Hawaiian, consider Ka La’i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Set in the Waikiki Beach Walk complex, the 38-floor tower is walkable to the neighborhood’s top attractions, dining, and of course, sun-kissed beaches, yet feels removed from bustling Kalakaua Avenue. “You’re staying in a good part of Waikiki,” my Uber driver assured me as we headed there. “It’s not so noisy or crazy there.”

The property was announced in April as the latest member of Hilton’s luxury LXR portfolio, bidding adieu to its former life as the Trump International Hotel Waikiki. Though the overall look remains the same, Hilton has major plans in the pipeline, including a top-to-bottom redesign spearheaded by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio that’s kicking off early next year to align with the building’s 15th anniversary. Taking place over several months, the renovation will include stylish updates to the accommodations, all the public areas from the fitness center to the lobbies, and dining outlets—one of which will soon spotlight a world-renowned chef.

The good news for those planning a visit to Waikiki this year is that Ka La’i Waikiki Beach is already a terrific place to stay. While the design throughout the property skews a bit conservative, it’s tasteful and comfortable. The two-bedroom suite I shared with a friend, for example, felt like a true home away from home. In contrast to other hotel suites that claim to be residential based solely on square footage, these sport all the conveniences of home—imagine a fully-equipped kitchen, living area, balcony, and washer-dryer units—so we could work, fix ourselves snacks, and most importantly, fully unwind with peace of mind. And because our suite was situated on a high floor, the views of the beaches and ocean were mesmerizing.

The hotel’s two dining concepts, In-Yo Cafe and Wai‘olu Ocean Cuisine, is where the Aloha spirit really shines. Though they, too, will be undergoing revamps,