At the end of last season we gave up our rented condo and returned to NY. We loved our Kailua home but wanted to start fresh when we came back. This meant that we had to stay in a hotel when we returned. My friend Sarah recommended Hotel Renew, a very affordable boutique hotel in Waikiki.
A quick scan of hotel rates in the area confirmed that Hotel Renew’s nightly rate was exorbitantly less than most…at the very least competitive. We stayed at the hotel just shy of two weeks which, if you’re not on vacation can feel like an eternity. Waikiki’s throngs of tourists and over-the-top vibe can be draining. In contrast Hotel Renew’s low-key polish is an oasis. The hotel staff’s attentiveness is genuine and warm. Wil, one of the valets, was particularly helpful and cheerful which made a difference when coming home from a long day of looking at rentals.
The hotel itself is lovely. You can feel the thoughtfulness in small details–from FACE Stockholm bathroom supplies to the beautiful reflecting fountain in the lobby. The rooms are very clean, well laid out, and quiet. My favorite part was the giant TV that could be angled to face almost any part of the room.
There’s no hotel restaurant, bar, or pool. But Hotel Renew does well with what it has. The continental breakfast is small but satisfying and the lounge serves wine until 9:30 PM. We’ve already recommended the hotel to two sets of friends coming in from NY this month. We’ll recommend it to anyone else that asks.
pros: thoughtful Contemporary design, giant TV, great staff, warm vibe, great location, very clean.
cons: no self parking, decent but at times spotty wi-fi service (no big downloads).
- an example of Hotel Renew’s clever marketing.
Three One Nine 