W Hotel Honolulu

[opusman]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone (QF009?) has any experience with the W Hotel in Honolulu and if so what their comments would be?

Reviews seem very "mixed" on Trip Advisor.

Thanks!

 

[Keith009]

Nope, not there till September.

Of course there are some dreary ones because they're so old and have not been refurbished, like the one on Lexington. But in general W reviews on tripadvisor are all v mixed because lots of people stay at a W expecting a generic St Regis/MO/Hyatt etc experience. And like I've said before, the brand is a classic example of personal tastes.

I mean comments like "it's too noisy!", "it's too dim" - FFS it's a W!

 

[Batesy]

Try the New Otani next door, stayed there in March, highly recommend. Get an ocean view room.

 

[superchris]

Whilst I am a fan of W Hotels..I am not a fan of this one.

It is basically a renovated apartment block with a very small foyer and many of the rooms can be affected by the noise of people partying ( unless thats what you had in mind)
I prefer now to stay further along the beach and if you have family try the Sheraton Waikiki .
The choice depends on what you are looking for and some ardent W fans have been most disappointed here.

 

[opusman]

Thanks for the replies. We're basically looking at Starwood properties - the W seemed nice from the photos and it's not priced too badly at all but there are lots of comments (superchris's included) about it getting noisy at times.

 

[Keith009]

FWIW this property tried to leave the Starwood system a while ago but for some mysterious reason decided to stay. Maybe that's saying something.

Am a bit wary of the location myself (off the main Waikiki strip so I thought it'd be too quiet) but then was told that it's got a loud and happenin' nightclub downstairs, so decided to give it a go. Also doesn't look too far from the main nightlife area in Waikiki, per the map. Probably not a good idea if you've got other plans for Hawaii I guess.

 

[Olympic471]

I thought about staying at the W Honolulu on my trip to Hawaii in November, but i decided to stay at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Hotel.

Olympic 471

 

[ANstar]

I would also stay at the Westin.... It is a lovely property, well located and right on the beach. They are also pretty good at upgrades if you have SPG status.

 

[Alanslegal]

Maybe QF009 will update us on his stay at the W in a few months time

But from what I read about the Wonderlounge - which is the nightclub at the W - the party's are loud, wild and always the biggest on Oahu.

The whole hotel shakes on a Friday & Saturday night so it is best to avoid these nights IF you are not into that kind of party scene.

In terms of pricing, The W is the priciest SPG property in HNL as far as I can tell, I have never seen any rate less than USD$315++ per night.

(I have current reservations at the Sheraton Waikiki which is $185USD incl tax and at the Moana Surfrider at $215 incl of taxes - both were Best Rate Guarantee successful claims. Seeing that I split my week stay at two hotels, I hope I have given myself a greater chance of suite upgrades!)

 

[Keith009]

Had a closer look at some photos on FT (BlissWorld's and Anglo Large Clawed Otter's TRs) and I see what people mean about this W. The rooms look a bit dated and doesn't appear as Now as brand standards. I mean, the decor is contemporary but hardly cutting edge nor fashion forward which is what W is supposed to be about, it'd have been cool back in 2000-2001 but now it's just an ordinary, modern hotel if you get my drift.

But I've also been assured that the place lives up to the brand mostly, in terms of atmosphere, attitude and very cool personalities. Given my aim of checking out every single W property there exists I can't wait to give this one a shot.

Maybe QF009 will update us on his stay at the W in a few months time

But from what I read about the Wonderlounge - which is the nightclub at the W - the party's are loud, wild and always the biggest on Oahu.

The whole hotel shakes on a Friday & Saturday night so it is best to avoid these nights IF you are not into that kind of party scene.

Good thing I'm arriving on a Friday night, and will be staying through the weekend. The plan is to check out the places at Waikiki in the earlier part of the night, then Wonderlounge when it really kicks off. I hear guests of the W get priority entry (like most Whiskeys), so it makes sense to check out the other places when they aren't too hard to get into, then return for the rest of the night. Probably a good thing too that bed is only a staggering distance away.

OT - but should I bother with other islands of Hawaii? They all seem pretty dead? Seems like it's all happenin' on Oahu.

 

[opusman]

OT - but should I bother with other islands of Hawaii? They all seem pretty dead? Seems like it's all happenin' on Oahu.

I could talk about observatories and volcanoes but I suspect it's not your scene

 

[Keith009]

I could talk about observatories and volcanoes but I suspect it's not your scene

I do plan to see Pearl Harbor and other things related to US military history. I've not done my research yet, and I hope they're all on the same island. Other than that I reckon it'd just be hangover recovery time in the day.

 

[Keith009]

Checked in 30 mins ago. QF3 v comfy even tho in whY. Upg to Cool Corner Room. Fantastic sea views from one of the balconies. So far so good - but the true test is tonite, the dude at the Welcome Desk said it'd be an absolute blast at Wonderlounge.

Will write more in the TR.

 

[Keith009]

W Honolulu-Diamond Head
Kalakaua Ave

Located a mere 15 mins stroll from the craziness of Waikiki, this intimate 48 room property is both an oasis of calm in which you can 'get away' from the mad crowds, as well as in great proximity to the action. There is a sorta private beach adjacent to the property which isn't nearly as busy as Waikiki, but it did not have nearly as great a deal of eye candy either.

I arrived in the morning, and my first impression of the Living Room was that it's quite dead. No music playing, not a single soul apart from the staff, and no bar. It's a chic place, but lacks much of the chilled out atmosphere that makes other Living Rooms so great to hang out/pose/people watch in.

 

[Keith009]

I booked this stay as an award, and was upgraded to a Cool Corner King room on the 9th floor. The open air hallways added to the resort-feel of the place. The room was spacious and came with 2 balconies - one of them had pleasant views of the ocean.

I like the rather unique room - a rather fashionable and chic, yet simple design with a Hawaiian accent. But it didn't look like a lot of thought had been put into the bathroom. A pretty functional bathroom, but nothing creative at all about it. Were it not for the Bliss toiletries the bathroom could just be one in a Sheraton or Hilton room. Though I did like the v practical shower stall - which had a glass door to ensure there's no water spillage (I find the shower curtains a hit/miss in that regard).

 

[Keith009]

The service here was incredible. Everyone's super friendly, and v helpful - particular kudos to the bartenders at Wonderlounge, and the Whatever/Whenever agents. As this is a small property, the service was warm and personalised - everyone knew my name and made an effort to chat. There was also turndown service where rooms would be replenished with Bliss toiletries and towels, as well as the obligatory chocies on the bed.

The music did come on in the latter parts of the day. And my fears that this property would be dead were unfounded when I hung out at Wonderlounge, on the 2nd floor of the hotel over the weekend - the place shakes! Free drinks at the backroom (no not THAT kind of backroom ) 9-11pm whilst they set things up. This has to be the most happening W club I've ever experienced full stop, and in fact is one of the best clubs in Honolulu. I will write more about the Wonderlounge in my Honolulu installment. For those who are not into the club scene, the advice from the bartenders is to avoid floors 3-4 if staying over the weekend unless you want to be part of the party.

I also had dinner at the inhouse resto, the Diamond Head Bar and Grill - an excellent feed at decent prices. Cuisine's modern Hawaiian, with a mix of everything.

Overall, an extremely good property with a Wonderful vibe and Whimsical elements! They could do more with the Living Room, but I guess a Living Room is only as good as the crowd makes it and in Hawaii - I'd want to be sitting out by the beach anyway. Maybe a beachside Living Room?

Next: Honolulu

 

[futaris]

Great hotel report QF009. I guess you registered for the flyertalk500 promo. Have the points for that posted yet?

Did your stay post correctly? SPG nights/stays don't seem to post as quickly as some other programs. Points are quick though.

I guess you'd be pretty close to requalifying for platinum if you're not already there...

 

[Alanslegal]

Nice report on the W.

The hotel looks comfortable and well suited to the Hawaiian island feel.

However it's not exactly beachfront however guess the party @ night made up for it :mrgreen:

 

[Keith009]

Great hotel report QF009. I guess you registered for the flyertalk500 promo. Have the points for that posted yet?

Did your stay post correctly? SPG nights/stays don't seem to post as quickly as some other programs. Points are quick though.

I guess you'd be pretty close to requalifying for platinum if you're not already there...

I didn't think that promo applies for award stays.

SPG nights/stays always post overnight for me, no longer than 24hrs after check out. Though having said that, the W HNL only posted 16 base points to my account (and elite bonus of 8 points) when I spent USD188 there in food and drink (they do count so long as you charge them to the room). Will sort out the retro points claim when I get home. The 500point PLT amenity did post correctly tho.

Will be requalifying for PLT in Shanghai.

 

[Keith009]

Nice report on the W.

The hotel looks comfortable and well suited to the Hawaiian island feel.

However it's not exactly beachfront however guess the party @ night made up for it :mrgreen:

Hell yeah - Wonderlounge is hotness!