I recently had the pleasure of staying at the new Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk. It was something I had looked forward to for several years, ever since I first became aware of the redevelopment of the Lewers/Beachwalk/Saratoga Streets area of Waikiki.
Area Desperately Needed Renovation
It's a well known fact that this area was desperately in need of change. Situated across Kalia Road from the world famous Halekulani, the Outrigger Reef and the Castle Waikiki Shore; the area was, quite simply, an embarrassment.The three hotels that were previously located between Lewers Street and Beachwalk Street were the OHANA Waikiki Tower, OHANA Waikiki Village and the Outrigger Edgewater. While Outrigger Enterprises had done as much as possible to keep these hotels respectable, in the highly competitive Waikiki market, the task was impossible.
It is these three properties that were either torn down entirely or completely renovated to create the new Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk.
Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk
With it's main entrance and port cochere on Beachwalk Street and rear entrances on Lewers Street, the Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk is the anchor property of the new Waikiki Beach Walk development project.The Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk is, quite frankly, a joy to see. The 21-story hotel has two all-suite towers, the Hula Tower and the Aloha Tower. With its all-suite design, the hotel is a good choice for families, business travelers, or a group of friends looking for delicious meals, unique shopping and plenty of fun nearby.
The public areas are bright, airy and spacious. Upon arrival you are greeted with a relaxing sit-down check-in at the front desk, where you can savor a complimentary welcome beverage before you are escorted to your suite.
The Suites
Suite Living Room
Photo Courtesy of Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach WalkThe 353 spacious one-bedroom suites or 68 two-bedroom suites each have a separate living room and most have a private lanai (balcony).
All of the suites are nicely decorated with Hawaiian decor and have all of the modern conveniences you could want including two LCD flat panel TV's, CD/MP3 player/radio/alarm clock, air conditioning, two telephones, microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Free high-speed Internet access is provided with free printing capability either directly from your room or in the 24-hour business center.
Dining, Shopping and Relaxing in the Sun
If dining options and proximity to shopping are important to you, the Embassy Suites is just steps away from over ten dining options and over thirty stores within the Beach Walk development. The hotel is also just minutes away on foot to the center of Waikiki and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center which is currently undergoing a major renovation itself.
If you just want to spend an afternoon by the pool or lay in the bright Hawaiian sun, the Embassy Suites' open-air, 4th-floor "Grand Lanai," features a sundeck, swimming pool, whirlpool spa, pool bar and covered-pavilion seating. It also hosts the a free full, cooked-to-order breakfast buffet and nightly Manager's Reception with free open bar, pupus and live entertainment.
Permanent Historical Displays
Portion of the Timeline of Hawaiian Music - Embassy Suites Hotel-Waikiki Beach Walk
Photo by John FischerA 50-foot long, glass-encased timeline of Hawaiian music along the makai (oceanside) corridor of the Embassy Suites Hula Tower takes viewers from the days when Polynesians first arrived in Hawaii to the current time. The exhibit shows the evolution of Hawaiian music, its impact on the islands' culture and includes ukuleles and other artifacts.
A second exhibit will pay tribute to Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame musicians, composers, and other honorees. It is currently in development and will be located along the mauka (mountainside) corridor of the hotel that leads from the hotel's porte cochere to the open air plaza of Waikiki Beach Walk.
