This Revamped Hotel Feels Like an Oasis in Waikīkī

I’m sitting on my lānai (veranda), enjoying the breezes of Waikīkī and listening to the sounds of silence. That’s right, quiet, in Waikīkī. At night.   

No, I’m not staying at some isolated accommodation at one of the far ends of Waikīkī, where you can escape the noise at the expense of being blocks away from the beach. I’m at the Wayfinder Waikīkī on Ala Wai Boulevard, away from the clamor of Kalākaua Avenue. And while I’m only a five-minute walk away from the beach, it feels like I’m a world away from the busy Waikīkī strip. Here, at the Wayfinder Waikīkī, I can enjoy the silence on my lānai—and so much more.  

Once the Waikīkī Sand Villa Hotel, the property received a stunning makeover once new management, Dovetail + Co, stepped in. The second Wayfinder hotel in its catalog—the other one is in Newport, Rhode Island—the newly revamped property is a case study in classic, comfy local design. Working with Honolulu-based interior design firm The Vanguard Theory, touches of beachy, tropical inspiration can be seen all around the hotel. 

Rooms sport beachy, fun interior design with tropical patterns.
Photo: Read Mckendree

Rooms feature furniture with tropical floral patterns, but not to the point where the place looks kitschy or overly produced. Instead, much of the decor in the rooms and around the resort looks like what kama‘āina (longtime Hawai‘i residents) would have in their own homes. And it’s the small touches that stand out. The wall with bodysurfing fins in the lobby, the cork activity board, and the custom-made record sleeves—everything adds to the chilled-out, relaxing vibe of the space. And none of it comes off as manufactured.   

I spent a lot of time at the pool—which is saying something as I usually head to the beach to surf as soon as I’m near the ocean. But the pool here feels like my own personal oasis, a cozy little grotto where relaxing comes easy. It helps that the poolside bar, Lost + Found, makes some genuinely delicious drinks. The small, intimate bar crafts a variety of tropical cocktails and mixed drinks, all best consumed poolside—and I especially enjoyed the Adult POG, a mix of pineapple, orange, guava, liliko‘i (passion fruit) boba and sparkling wine. The Wayfinder Waikīkī also hosts private events for hotel guests, and my boozy poolside experience was enhanced by a house DJ spinning local jams and radio hits.

Lounge chairs and comfortable decor fill the lobby.
Photo: Mariko Reed

You really can’t talk about the Wayfinder Waikīkī without mentioning Redfish Waikīkī, the property’s in-house restaurant that serves some of the best fish plates and poke bowls on the island. It’s a culinary experience conceived by Foodland, a local grocery chain where kama‘āina have been getting fresh fish and poke bowls for decades, so it’s no surprise that Redfish Waikīkī’s menu is so appealing to visitors and residents alike.

Just know, you’ll want to arrive hungry as portions at Redfish are not small. My partner, Kaila, and I started with a plate of crab and artichoke dip, a creamy and delicious way to begin the meal. Served with warm garlic bread, every bite was delicious—with the flavors of crabmeat, artichoke heart and a butter panko topping filling our mouths and stomachs.

For mains, or what they call “medium bites,” I went with the ‘Ahi Moco, a unique twist on the classic loco moco (a beef patty on a bed of white rice topped with an over-easy egg and copious amounts of gravy). Instead of a beef patty, the dish is served with a lomi (pressed) ‘ahi patty with a redfish demi, crispy onion strings and garlic rice. While a departure from the classic loco moco formula, it hits all the familiar notes while bringing its own flavors and tastes to the table. And it’s filling. Kaila made her own poke bowl, customizing it to her liking. She picked the kind of rice and toppings she wanted and the kind of poke too, from classic flavors like shoyu ‘ahi to wild alternatives, like ginger scallion hamachi or even beets.

Come hungry, as plates at the Redfish are filling—but too good to leave leftovers.
Photo: Chris Roher

Outside of the food and drinks, the Wayfinder Waikīkī also offers guided runs through Waikīkī and rents out sweet low-rider jeeplike vehicles, which they call Mokes, to guests. But I’m a bit of a homebody, and I love staying at a place where I feel at home. And that’s what I grew to appreciate about the Wayfinder. It’s in some regards the flip side to Waikīkī’s hustle and bustle. Here on the mauka (toward the mountains) side of Waikīkī, looking out at the Ala Wai Canal and toward the Ko‘olau Range, I revel in the quiet. If I want, I can easily walk down to Kalākaua Avenue to enjoy the hubbub and infectious energy that is Waikīkī. But when I want to retreat and regather myself, you’ll find me at the Wayfinder. 

To book a reservation and for more information on the hotel, visit the Wayfinder Waikīkī website at wayfinderhotels.com or call (808) 922-4744. 

This story was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of HAWAIʻI Magazine.