Located across the street from the Diamond Head end of Waikiki Beach, this is one of Oahus largest hotels: It has two 40-story towers and covers nearly an entire city block. Some will find this Goliath of a hotel too big and impersonal. The huge second-floor lobby is decorated in koa and wraps around an atrium that rises 40 floors up from the ground level. Smoking is allowed in the lobby, and despite the size, it can get pretty cloudy in there at times.
The guest rooms are roomy, and a $10-million investment refurbished them in 1996. Every room has a coffeemaker, but the coffee isnt free--even though youre paying at least $240 a night, expect to pay $3 extra for a package of coffee. Other amenities, such as hair dryers, bathrobes, irons and ironing boards, are complimentary. The deluxe oceanview rooms overlooking Waikiki Beach are fabulous, but can be noisy (traffic on Kalakaua is constant). For a few dollars more (well, actually more than a few dollars), you can upgrade to the Regency Club floors, where the rooms are nicer (and the coffee is free). The upgrade also entitles you to an expedited check-in and entry to the Regency Club--which serves complimentary continental breakfast, pupus in the afternoon, and concierge service all day--and a private rooftop sundeck and Jacuzzi.
Dining/Diversions: Four restaurants and five cocktail lounges, including an indoor-outdoor grill overlooking the ocean; a Japanese restaurant; a steak-and-seafood house; Harrys Bar, featuring Hawaiian and Polynesian entertainment; Ciao Mein for creative Chinese and Italian cuisine served family-style; the Texas Rock N Roll Sushi Bar, a combination of country western/rock club serving Tex-Mex cuisine and sushi; and an elegant poolside bar.
Amenities: Multilingual concierge, business services (including typing, personal-computer rental, stock news, notary public), pool, baby-sitting, Camp Hyatt program for kids, room service (6am-11pm), valet service, travel desks (airline-ticket counter, American Express, Budget, Hertz), doctor's office, bank, and more than 60 shops.
$240-$400 double; $400-$465 Regency Club double; from $550 suite. Extra person $30 ($50 Regency Club); children under 19 stay free using existing bedding.
1,241 units .
A/C MINIBAR TV TEL
Credit Cards: AE, CB, DC, DISC, JCB, MC, V.
Valet parking $12; self-parking $10.
TheBUS: 19 or 20.
