The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Hidden away in the upscale residential neighborhood of Kahala (on the other side of Diamond Head from Waikiki), this elegant oceanfront hotel with top-notch service, opened in 1964 and one of Hawaii's first luxury resorts, has hosted celebrities, princesses, the Dalai Lama, and nearly every president since Lyndon Johnson. It's flanked by the Waialae Country Club's golf course and the ocean, surrounding it in natural tranquility—all just a 10-minute ride from Waikiki by free shuttle. A walkway has benches tucked into seaside nooks for lazy viewing, and the oceanfront fitness center offers outdoor yoga and Pilates. The poolside bar and grill will serve you at your lounge chair on the beach or by the pool, you can enjoy a casual meal at the Plumeria Beach House, elegant afternoon tea is offered on The Veranda, and fine dining is available at Hoku's or Arancino.
The reef just offshore makes the waters here calm enough for young kids. You can also sign up for dolphin interactions in the 26,000-square-foot lagoon or simply sit and watch the dolphins play throughout the day. The 550-square-foot guest rooms, decorated in an understated Islands style with mahogany furniture, are spacious though a tad worn; bathrooms have two vanities, and the lanai are big enough for lounge chairs. If you're a golf fan visiting the second week of January, ask for a room overlooking the course for a bird's-eye view of the PGA Sony Open from your lanai. If dolphins are your thing, request a room overlooking the lagoon.
