The Hopeful Traveler: Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk: Reception & Hula Tower

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk: Reception & Hula Tower

The Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach is located within the Waikiki Beach
Walk retail, restaurant and entertainment complex.

Hotel driveway entrance along Beachwalk.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

This is one of a series of posts covering aspects of the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk.

Over six years ago the old was torn down and renovated to become the largest redevelopment in Hawaii's most famous tourist mecca. Within this complex is the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk.

The hotel is part of Waikiki Beach Walk, a retail-restaurant-entertainment center, which sparked a rejuvenation of an area that was just plain old and uninviting. Some of the buildings were gutted and renovated, two of which make up the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach. The tower closest to the ocean is called the Hula Tower and north of it is the Aloha Tower.

These two 21-story towers, formerly the Ohana Waikiki Tower and Ohana Waikiki Village, were part of Outrigger Hotel & Resorts moderate-priced hotel chain called Ohana Hotels & Resorts. The Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach opened in December 2006. The hotel's name hints it may sit along Waikiki Beach but sits behind a couple of hotels. However the beach is short walk away through Fort DeRussy Beach Park.

Embassy Suites is a chain of up-scale all-suite hotel part of the Hilton Hotel family of brands. Because the living area contains a sofabed and includes a bar sink, microwave and mini-refrigator, the hotel is very popular for sleeping a family of four comfortably. For those needing even more room book a two-bedroom suite.

The registration desk just steps from the valet desk.
Expect a welcome drink at check-in.

The full-covered driveway and valet desk.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

The Embassy Suites in Waikiki has another bonus. They include two balconies which offers extra living space and from many of the rooms offer wonderful views of Waikiki's shoreline or the mountains. The hotel is located at the west end of Waikiki and is bounded by Beachwalk on its westside, Kalia Road on the south and Lewers Street on the east. Note that Beachwalk is the street while the Waikiki Beach Walk complex is located on Lewers.

I'm staying at the Embassy Suites for a one-night staycation. Living in Hawaii, it's an opportunity to escape for a day even if it's in my home city of Honolulu. I'm a member of the Hilton HHonors rewards program so it also presented an opportunity to earn hotel points.

I checked-in yesterday afternoon using the valet parking which cost $30 per night excluding tips. The hotel has no self-parking and in Waikiki parking is at a premium. The driveway is fully-covered which is part of the hotel's open lobby. Just steps away is the registration desk.

A welcome tropical juice drink, which I took with me to my room, is served at the registration desk. Check-in was quick but I hate it when the desk does not give an opportunity about room options. Before I could ask my room assignment was already made which was on the low floor. I asked to check if a room is on a higher floor and the front desk employee mentioned that I had a pool view but I asked her still to check anyway. She kindly obliged and found a room on the 20th floor of the Hula Tower. I was happy.

The registration desk sits below the Aloha Tower so I would have to walk back past the valet desk and down an interesting corridor decorated with articles, photos and album covers detailing modern Hawaii history through headlines, sights and local music entertainers. At the end of this corridor are the two guest elevators serving the Hula Tower. I loved the room as soon as I entered it and saw the view.