Arrival/Check-In: Nestled among giant trees, the front of The Royal Hawaiian truly takes you back to the glamour of Old Hollywood, with arched doorways, thick carpets and dark woods framed by the famous royal pink walls. They say the likes of Cary Grant and Shirley Temple sought refuge here from Los Angeles.

The sprawling open-air lobby looks out into a garden and green space where families lounge while sipping coffee or tea on the checkered marbled patio. After a 10-minute wait, we got to the front of the line and learned we were staying in the Mailani Tower, which has its own check-in desk down the winding but beautiful breezeway. There we experienced an easy check-in with brief descriptions of the lounge areas exclusive for tower guests offering coffee, teas and sunset cocktails.

Guest Quarters: Our high-floor premier ocean room was simply appointed with a comfortable kingsized bed between bedside tables with unique sea glass lamps. A wet bar offered plenty of complimentary bottled water and coffee. Calming modern seascape art hung on the walls of the room, and a comfy chaise longue with a reading lamp was tucked away in the corner. The bathroom had great lighting with green and blue sea glass framing a backlit mirror. A shower/tub combo offered Malie Organics Spa products that smelled fresh and sweet. The T3 hair dryer also worked great. The pink-and-white-striped bathrobe I practically lived in was, by far, my favorite amenity!

The balcony was a true delight for me, with its full ocean view and people-watching along Waikiki Beach. The lanai held a table for two and a nice-sized pink wicker couch for sunbathing and relaxing.

Services/Amenities: The property has several restaurants for guests, but I recommend you first experience the famed Mai Tai Bar sitting right off the beach. The open-air setting with large pink umbrellas provides views of the oceanfront as you sip on a Royal Mai Tai, which packs quite a punch. For breakfast, I suggest Surf Lanai, sharing the same large patio as the bar and offering upscale dining options and popular buffets along with fresh, locally sourced juices. For a more intimate experience, try Azure for dinner with its crystal and candlelight just steps from the beach. Its fresh fish is a must-try.

For a relaxing day on the beach, you need to rent a pink chaise longue and umbrella set from The Royal Hawaiian with direct bar and food service from the Mai Tai Bar. There are only about a dozen or so seats, so schedule in advance. The fee is a hefty $40 a day. A third party also rents lounge sets right on the water for $50, offering better views but no direct food service. Both options fill up quickly, but I suggest taking advantage of the beach for a day of relaxing between days packed with sightseeing.

My most memorable time on the property was sitting on the rocking chairs outside the historic wing lobby during sunset, gently rocking and listening to the waves and children playing. It was lovely.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ The glamorous architecture and setting make this the most interesting property on the island.

◆ Sitting right on Waikiki Beach, The Royal Hawaiian is centrally located to shopping and dining.

◆ In-room amenities like Malie Organics products and plush bathrobes were meant for guests to relax.

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort

2259 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
tel 808 923 7311
marriott.com