Of all the Islands of Hawai’i, Oahu is steadfastly known as among the best to take your family. Home to the only royal palace in all of the United States, the state capital, Honolulu, and the highest, most densely-populated areas in the chain, there’s a lot of history and fun for those with kids to explore together. With plentiful hotel options across budgets – Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, Couryard by Marriott Waikiki, Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach, Kaimana Beach Hotel Waikiki, Park Shore Waikiki, The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Twin Fin, to name a few – that are open to hosting juniors, it’s an obvious choice for families.
However, the recently opened Romer House Waikiki offers adults an alternative. A property designed for them and only them, and the only one of its kind on Oahu: an adults-only hotel.
Beyond a child-free zone, here are some of the features and benefits this urban escape in the heart of Waikiki offers grown-ups on a getaway.
Beach Candy
Forget worrying about grabbing a resort chair on the beach at the crack of dawn or lugging one down to the shore with you. With a partnership with beach gear rental provider Beach Candy, Romer House has their guests covered, including three credits per room per day of stay.
Use these to rent beach chairs, beach umbrellas, body boards, two hours of stand-up paddleboard use, or even a speaker – however you choose to divvy up your credit is up to you. For a little extra, surfboards and coolers are also available. We recommend using the former for a lesson at Jamie O’Brien School of Surf, which is affiliated with Beach Candy.
Get to Beach Candy (on Waikiki Beach at the Twin Fin Hotel) easily with a complimentary bike rental, also provided by Romer House. Each comes with a helmet, lock, and basket, allowing you to cruise the bike lanes to the beach at your leisure. Just be sure to get there after 8 AM and before 3 PM, which is last call for rentals due back at 5 PM.
The Backyard
Another option for waterside relaxation? Hit The Backyard Pool and Bar, where a heated wading pool off an elevated deck awaits hotel and local day guests from 8 AM to 10 PM. Both are permitted to reserve one of the many upholstered daybeds, but sling deck chairs are also seating options in this laid back, stylish, adults-only poolside.
Even more carefree convenience comes from the all-day bar and kitchen menus, available for service from 11 AM to 7 PM. Order pool day-designed Japanese-Hawaiian snacks made with local ingredients, or fill a bento box to sample a variety of bites. The bar menu also takes its lead from Japan and Hawaii, combining classic Hawaiian flavors with Japanese spirits. A design-your-own spiritless spritz bar provides mocktail fun with booze-free refreshment.
Afters at the Crib
Spending all day at the pool snacking and sipping sounds like a great idea, but pros know, waiting until the daily Pau Hana happy hour between 4 PM and 6 PM to order your food is the move. During that time frame, The Backyard menu is 20% off.
Plus, a just-opened cocktail bar, The Lei Stand Waikiki gives guests yet another option, this time with a Chinese-Hawaiian blend. Open from 5 PM to as late as 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s a great venue to meet up for signature drinks from their Blooms section and snackable bites, especially since three hours of complimentary valet parking is offered for non-hotel guests.
And if you’re staying over a weekend, definitely rest up during the day—you’ll want to attend the on-resort social events that take place weekly. Thursday night is the House Warming party with DJ DELVE (7 PM – 11 PM); Friday is when the hotel hosts EP Bar’s Be.Ill dance night (8 PM – 12 AM); and Saturday nights are all about rap and reggay with Cnrboy on the decks until late.
Cultural Immersion
Part of the point of going to Hawaii and staying in an area as vibrant as Waikiki is becoming a part of the fabric of the city, if even for a little bit. Romer House offers several different ways to do so. For instance, every room key comes with exclusive perks from neighbors and friendly businesses around the island.
On the second Thursday of every month, at 4:30 PM, guests are offered the chance to volunteer with staffers to clean up King Kalakaua Park, the park the property adopted with the City of Honolulu as part of their Love Thy Neighborhood program. In the spirit of kindness and voluntourism, this hour offers a great opportunity to give back to a destination that is working so hard to provide joyful memories for its mainland visitors. Plus, drink specials and post-event snacks offer just as immediate gratification for work well done.
Additionally, on every Thursday at 5:30 PM, a free beginner hula class is offered in The Backyard – a perfect way to work up an appetite for the happy hour specials.
Dialed-In Izakaya
The old-school phone is a cultural symbol at Romer House and as an adults-only hotel, the references to the kelepona are not lost. Working pay phones are still scattered throughout Hawaii, and Romer House offers their guests an Aloha Line they can call or text any time of day or night for local recommendations, suggested activities, or other concierge-type requests.
Additionally, you can ring 855-ALOHA to experience the on-site restaurant, whose specialty is shareable contemporary, eclectic Japanese-Hawaiian dishes. For example, “angry” edamame add chili and garlic sauce to the classic starter, Caesar salad gets a miso Caesar twist, mahi-mahi is given the katsu treatment, broccolini’s dressed with Maui onion, and grilled dishes are marinated with local flavors. Of course, poke, tataki, and sashimi are also on the menu, but branch out to the osusume section of the menu, where chef’s recommendations include miso-marinated butterfish and a curry yakisoba.
Just for Travel Advisor Clients
Finally, for just a little extra icing on the cake, Romer Hotels will send a complimentary welcome amenity on the booking travel advisor’s behalf if you just send them a note. A perfect way to start a trip rich with the spirit of aloha.
Don’t forget that Amstar DMC operates in Hawaii, which means top-notch, trusted tours and excursions by professional operators are available for pre-booking!
