The Kahala Hotel & Resort

You're thinking is to imagine a 5-star resort tucked away into the its own world with service celebrities and Presidents experience. Here's the reality... I wouldn't even label it 3-star due to its current conditions. This hotel is in serious need of a face-lift, not the celebrities. Worn out carpets. Leaks you will find from time to time in various parts of the hotel. Unkept gym, which when I was there, literally used a 5-gallon bucket for trash or something to toss dirties. But a 5-gallon bucket? C'mon, Kahala. Show some class. Management could use some serious help. After reading some one and two star reviews, my guess is they not only need a change with a few of their managers, but they could probably use a change in their General Manager for the him or her to allow such service to continue. In addition, the poor conditions are not what you would find at a 4 or 5 star hotel. It's a shame to be mislead in thinking you will experience something beyond what you've ever experienced because you will not. We were disappointed with the overall condition of the hotel. We lost out on a good portion of money. I wish we had just stayed in a hotel in Waikiki, but there is nothing I can do about it other than share my experience so you don't have to go through the same. It's heartbreaking because I just wanted a nice vacation with my family, especially my kids. I feel I let them down. Some may read this and say, well, that was on the part of the hotel, not you. That may be true, but as a father, you can't help but take some of the blame as I allowed myself to go through with this when I had other choices. Hawaii really is a beautiful place to visit. To help you find that one place during your trip, please do your homework and don't just read the so-called "amazing" reviews. It's kinda like Amazon where you buy something based on reviews, then return it and write, I wish I paid attention to the other reviews. Best of luck to everyone.

The Kahala Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a great place to enjoy a luxury vacation in Oahu. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated and are equipped with comfortable beds, a lanai or balcony, a large bathroom and dressing area and luxurious amenities. We had a king room an larger rooms and suites are available. The room has a large tv with cable, a small fridge, a shower and separate tub. Our room had a lanai which bordered the Dolphin lagoon. There is a swimming pool and spa pool adjacent to the pool area. The exterior areas are beautifully landscaped and maintained. There are several dining facilities; an indoor dining room and bar next to the lobby area and another dining room and bar on the lower level. Food is also available in the pool area, and there is an outdoor dining area next to the pool. The hotel is family friendly and offers educational programs by Dolphin Odyssey, but no staged dolphin shows. There several shops on the main level which sell bathing suits and casual clothing as well as souvenirs and art. The hotel has a casual resort feeling and a relaxing ambiance. This is not a resort to book if you are looking for a party atmosphere.No one will try to sell you tours, but there is a desk that will help you with tours if you want to schedule them. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Kahala and recommend it to couples,singles and families.

From our initial contact with Ellen Maki in resrevations and throughout our stay, everthing was excellent. Room, lanai and bathroom were spacious and clean. All staff were very friendly and helpful and location of the hotel was perfect for us; away from hustle and bustle of Waikiki but close enough to have easy access to downtown restaraunts etc. Valet service was very convenient. Security was excellent. One night we intentionlly left our room door ajar as another couple was stopping by and within minutes, security knocked to let us know our door was open! Cleaning staff was excellent each day; ice bucket was always full and room was always clean! Our only suggestion (we recognize this is a luxury hotel and Oahu is expensive) would be to have a more reasonably priced breakfast and dinner option. We did have breakfast each day at the hotel even though cost was very high. We elected to leave the property for dinner each night to find more casual menu variety and more reasonble cost. That said, we definetly would come back to this hotel next time we visit!

First and foremost, my partner organised the hotel without being aware of the cruel practice of captive dolphins. My father in Wales has a bigger and deeper pond than these unfortunate creatures have the miserable misfortune to be trapped in. I found it absolutely inhumane and can’t believe the practice is allowed to continue. I do hope (and I hear there are ongoing efforts to end the cruelty of these amazing dolphins) a more humane way of looking after these dolphins can be achieved. Second, the hotel is in need of a more contemporary renovation- it felt old - there was peeling wallpaper and scuffed walls. Also, there was an awful stench of sewage just a few steps away from the hotel at the beach; therefore, I did not dare to swim. I noticed a canal which brings storm water and overflowing garbage into the ocean at this hotel. In future I’d stay at The Royal Hawaiian or Moana Surfrider. For an amazing resort experience check out The Turtle Bay Beach Resort North of Hale’iwa.

We’ve been traveling to HI for years to visit our daughter. This trip was very special because of the Kahala resort. The property is beautiful, rooms are spacious, views are incredible, restaurants offered a nice blend of morning brunch to delightful dinners and the best beach!