Hotel Renew - More exclusive and beats any other waikiki 5* by mazphd

mazphd — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:26:07 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 808-687-7700

Website: http://www.hotelrenew.com/

Tags: rare finds, helpful staff, exclusive boutique

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...

:-) 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...

:-)

Rum Fire - Getting hotter all the time by mazphd

mazphd — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:50:57 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 4.00

Website: http://www.rumfirewaikiki.com/

Tags: jazz, cool, relaxed

Finding a venue in Waikiki thats beach side, not full of the usual 'touristy' trappings of ucalalie, grass skirts and performance shows is difficult.

The Sheraton has always occupied a prime location on the beach front with amazing views over toward Diamond Head. Rum Fire is the hotel's newest bar lounge and it is a feat of design awesomeness. Outside are large bbq sized goblets of fire lit after 5pm with seating area to surround. You can watch surf dudes and dudettes in action as they do the hard work for you surfing the waves whilst you bask in the heat of the afternoon sun and wait for the sunset. What a view!

cocktails are worth their wait. The mojito concoction of lavender and cucumber is a refreshing change from the usual minted creation. i wouldn't bother with their mai tai's though - the best on the island are found at the lounge bar in the hotel next door! :-)

live music changes nightly and is surprisingly good. Covers are sung from Eric clapton, sheryl crow, to natalie imbrulia and lenny kravitz. Very chilled out, very groovey. After 9pm things get 'hotter' as the red carpet comes out to mark the entrance and the usual red velvet ropes gate off the entrace to 'just anyone'. look smart and friendly and youll get in, in time for a boogie and to watch the stars twinkle over Diamound Head.

Food is surprisingly inventive and good here too. Fish is fresh (as it should be) and the Rum Fire- Mango and Lychee sorbet covered in meringue and flamed with 151 proof rum was divine (see pics).

After a hard day in the sun, Rum Fire makes it easy to sit back relaaaaaaaaaaaaaax and bask in the late rays of the day cocktail in hand.

Worth knowing is arrive before 6pm for half price cocktails and beer! :-)

FYI for ambience the video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxUQJsf-lQY&feature=related (i can't upload this on my computer for some bizarre reason) :PFinding a venue in Waikiki thats beach side, not full of the usual 'touristy' trappings of ucalalie, grass skirts and performance shows is difficult.

The Sheraton has always occupied a prime location on the beach front with amazing views over toward Diamond Head. Rum Fire is the hotel's newest bar lounge and it is a feat of design awesomeness. Outside are large bbq sized goblets of fire lit after 5pm with seating area to surround. You can watch surf dudes and dudettes in action as they do the hard work for you surfing the waves whilst you bask in the heat of the afternoon sun and wait for the sunset. What a view!

cocktails are worth their wait. The mojito concoction of lavender and cucumber is a refreshing change from the usual minted creation. i wouldn't bother with their mai tai's though - the best on the island are found at the lounge bar in the hotel next door! :-)

live music changes nightly and is surprisingly good. Covers are sung from Eric clapton, sheryl crow, to natalie imbrulia and lenny kravitz. Very chilled out, very groovey. After 9pm things get 'hotter' as the red carpet comes out to mark the entrance and the usual red velvet ropes gate off the entrace to 'just anyone'. look smart and friendly and youll get in, in time for a boogie and to watch the stars twinkle over Diamound Head.

Food is surprisingly inventive and good here too. Fish is fresh (as it should be) and the Rum Fire- Mango and Lychee sorbet covered in meringue and flamed with 151 proof rum was divine (see pics).

After a hard day in the sun, Rum Fire makes it easy to sit back relaaaaaaaaaaaaaax and bask in the late rays of the day cocktail in hand.

Worth knowing is arrive before 6pm for half price cocktails and beer! :-)

FYI for ambience the video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxUQJsf-lQY&feature=related (i can't upload this on my computer for some bizarre reason) :P

Latest reviews in Hawaii, United States of America

Hotel Renew - More exclusive and beats any other waikiki 5* by mazphd

Rum Fire - Getting hotter all the time by mazphd