I had the opportunity to stay and review the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa recently and was surprised with the $0 resort fee and the return of the club lounge on Oahu. Watch the video below for a full walk-through, photos, and my thoughts are below.
Booking
I booked this hotel directly through the Marriott Bonvoy website using a free night certificate for 72k points which I felt was a fair redemption although I am always a bit nervous when visiting a brand new hotel as the “kinks” may still be in the system.
Location
Address – 1390 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone – +1 808-921-6155
Website – Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
Check-in
I dropped my son off at school on a Friday and headed directly to the hotel for a very early check-in (8am), luck was with me as standard check-in is at 3pm.
The staff at check-in answered all my questions and confirmed the Mara restaurant, which I had reservation that evening, on property was a good choice not to mention being busy every night so far. Always good to hear when trying someplace new and always happy to hear about a business being successful.
As you would expect with a new hotel everything was spotless and I thought the decor in the lobby was on point.
I spent a few moments figuring out the elevator which was a digital key pad that asked for your floor number and then had only 2 buttons on the inside. I need to keep up with all the latest elevator trends 🙂 I heard others in a group talking about the elevator as well, take your time, it’s only 2 buttons.
Resort Fee at Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
The resort fee at the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is currently $0. I asked twice, with that certain “don’t try and trick me” tone, and got the same answer both times.
This is clearly not a resort, but Hawai’i has gone hog crazy with fees and add-ons so it is nice to hear that this location is avoiding the game, for now anyway. I wonder if the Renaissance Residence located in the same tower helps with avoiding this fee.
Either way it was nice to know I wasn’t being charged for yoga classes and beach mats that I would never end up using.
Room
I got assigned room 2003 which was a corner ocean view room and boy were the views nice, even on a cloudy day. When booking this room and knowing this area quite well I was wondering what the views would be like. I don’t foresee Ala Moana Shopping Center getting any higher but the space directly across had some older buildings, time will tell if they remain.
Stylish and well laid out I enjoyed the colors and various design elements in the room.
I liked the charging cords behind the phone, the king sized bed was very comfortable, and the Nespresso machine is always welcome.
I wished the room had a work desk as I ended up writing this article hunched over on a small reading table.
The robes were extra soft and will be added to my Hotel Robes of the World article. Like many of you I love a nice robe but only seem to wear them while in a hotel room.
I did like the lighting controls which allowed for individual and full room options with one push of the button and the adjustable wall mounted TV.
Bathroom
A nice large area in front of the sink and well lit mirror made this bathroom feel open inviting.
The standout in this bathroom was the very large tub that is not found in many hotel rooms. Very deep and it seemed long enough to accommodate those of us over 6 feet tall.
A Toto toilet with remote control topped off the room that was very well done.
Dining at Renaissance Honolulu
Mara
A casual yet chic Mediterranean spot known for its delightful Tapas and an array of other specialties. The restaurant boasts ample seating, both indoors and out, becoming a vibrant hotspot as the evening sets in. Given its popularity, I recommend securing a reservation to avoid the wait, as I noticed several diners eagerly lingering for a table.
My dining experience kicked off with a serving of Greek yogurt tzatziki—refreshingly cool and creamy, it was a highlight I could indulge in daily. Accompanied by a surprisingly generous slice of bread, it was both satisfying and a perfect start to the meal. Next, the prawns I ordered did not disappoint. They were substantial in size and bathed in a deliciously robust sauce, a dish I would reorder.
The Monchong, another seafood dish, was both tender and infused with just the right amount of spice, providing a delightful kick to the palate. The lively and engaging staff added to the overall enjoyment, making the dining experience not just about the food but the ambiance as well.
I rounded off the meal with dessert, and for the life of me I cannot remember the name, let me know if you recognize it.
Sway Bar & Grill
I had a View From Above cocktail during my visit. It was Kohana Rum with Stiggins Pineapple Rum, Orange and Guava purée. Pass on this one and try something different unless you really love orange juice. Bummer no margarita on the menu.
I also ordered the 8oz Sway burger which came with fries. The fries were delicious and the burger was was quite good, I like a simple soft bun and thats exactly what the had.
I sat at the bar during this visit although there was lots of space near the pool on this cloudy day.
La Mill
On the lobby level before you head out is La Mill which is offers coffee and grab-n-go items to start your day off.
Ren On The Run
This was a temporary coffee shop area that is no longer open but shows on the website and some older publications, it is now La Mill above.
Club Lounge at Renaissance Honolulu
Yes, there is a club lounge on O’ahu for Marriott elite members at the Platinum level and higher. I know for many this is great news and long overdue after the closures in Waikiki of all other club lounges. The Club Lounge at the Renaissance Honolulu is open daily from 6 am-8 pm with a 2-hour shutdown from 10-12noon.
A nice, cozy lounge that comfortably seats about 25 people offers great views over Ala Moana shopping center, which even on a cloudy, rainy day are quite nice. With its wooden floor, it can get quite echoey, and I can foresee it filling up quickly.
The menu includes a basic selection of juices, bread, and yogurt options. The espresso/latte machine whipped up a killer morning boost, and while the food selection is basic, it’s perfect to kickstart your day.
I opted for the Portuguese sausage, which was excellent, along with eggs that were rather blah and potatoes that were as expected. The fruit was served cold and fresh.
Various seating options are available, with some by the window offering great ocean views, though not today, unfortunately. Some seats are arranged for dining, others for sipping, and some for getting work done.
Despite having a wristband that the front desk assured me would grant access, the staff asked for my name and room number twice. When questioned, they explained it was necessary for signing something and for gratuity, which was a bit confusing.
Upon receiving the bill for $34, which I was asked to sign, they clarified that it was already covered with my elite status. I suspect they present it this way to demonstrate the value and encourage appropriate tipping. The layout is self-service, so tip accordingly. I overheard others requesting to-go cups and water for the road, and the staff happily accommodated them.
Although this hotel isn’t directly on the beach, it’s important to remember that Hawaii is a popular family destination, so expect to encounter lots of excited kids in the lounge.
Pool
One nice thing about reviewing a hotel during rainy weather is the pool and deck area are usually empty during the day, no 6 am photo shoot on this trip.
There are 2 pools at the Renaissance Honolulu, a lap pool and a central pool that was bordered by 2 hot tubs. The large square shaped pool was indeed large, one of the largest single pools I have come across on O’ahu and I have seen many.
The pool deck had lots of chairs with umbrellas, bbq areas, and an open turf area for fun and games. While I would’nt pick this location for a family vacation it is quite nice. The Renaissance Residence tower shares this space and there were some areas gated off for their exclusive use.
I loved the variety of seats and having the SWAY Bar & Grill close by.
Parking & Shuttle Service
Parking at the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is $55 per day for both self-parking and valet parking. I always choose valet when traveling because it just adds to the experience of staying in a nice hotel.
The valet also offers a shuttle service to a few nearby destinations from 10 am to 9:30 pm daily. The locations are Ala Moana Shopping Center (of course), Magic Island (a great place to view the sunset), and the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki. If you are wondering why the shuttle to ‘Alohilani my guess is both locations are managed by Highgate.
I reviewed the ‘Alohilani a while back and there are some really good places to eat on property, also a great way to get into Waikiki to walk around.
Spa & Fitness Center
Uhiwai is the name of the spa here and it is open daily from 8 am-6 pm, appointments are required. They offer Couples Massages, Facials, Fitness Classes, Lap Pool, Massages, Plunge Pool, Separate Men & Women’s Lounges, Steam Room, and a Therapy Bath.
Here is a list of their current offerings with pricing
Also on the 8th floor is the fitness center which looks out onto the pool deck and lap pool area. A nice clean space with just about all you would expect in a quality gym. There were a few treadmills and other cardio pieces but I didn’t get any shots since they were occupied during the times I visited.
My Thoughts
With so many resorts and hotels claiming to be resorts I like that the Renaissance Honolulu was fairly clear that it was not one of them. With no resort fee and a club lounge for Marriott Elite members I would recommend this hotel to singles and couples visiting O’ahu.
With so many things to do on O’ahu and the option to do day trips on the outer islands you sometimes just want a nice place to stay outside of Waikiki.
The staff and systems will need time to become more polished but I think the ground work is set for a favorite among visitors.
