24th June 2008
More exclusive and beats any other waikiki 5*
Back and forth across the Pacific, you might decide to drop into Hawaii. If you do, you will have a splendid (and fun stay) at the very new Hotel Renew. This used to be the Aqua hotel (and i've stayed both before and after their 'make over') now upgraded to boutique status and renamed the Renew Hotel has location (less than 1 block from waikiki's beach and proximity to some fabulous sushi at the Hotel Marriet opposite!) as well as some great perks.
The rooms are HUGE (well this is America, things tend to be of a larger scale here), but worth a mention is the GIANT flat screen projector we had in our room that give free wireless access (throughout the hotel) as well as doubling up as your own tv, nay movie screen. Now Oprah is even bigger for you viewing pleasure.
But perks aside, what really sets this place apart is the service. Good service is something that is lacking and rather abhorrent in the the UK, in the States good service is expected. And at Hotel Renew its GREAT service. Staff are super friendly, happy (infectiously so) and always on stand by for essential advice hints and tips of where to go, what to do, and for our trip where the best Mai Tai's on the island are (FYI @ the Halekulani hotel for the record).
It was fathers day when myself and quite aptly my father stayed here, in the States fathers day it turns out is a BIG deal: And so down an appropriate gift and gesture of daughtily-ness Leonor Wong the manager at Renew ensured that there was champagne on ice waiting in our room - a treat for both father and daughter to enjoy! Such thoughtfulness and going out of their way actions set the staff and this hotel apart. You could stay at the Surfrider Moana one of the best known and 'grandest' hotels on Waikiki's beach front. But you would be paying over the odds, without decent Mai Tai's on hand, and no flat screen projector. :P
Seriously though for value for money on O'ahu and service with more than a smile, but wonderful local knowledge you cannot go wrong with Hotel Renew. So much so i've already booked to return later this year...
:-)