Oceanfront resort with private dolphin lagoon, spa, 5 restaurants
Kahala Resort, 5000 Kahala Ave #5000, Honolulu, HI 96816 Get directions
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"After a dramatic jump in the rankings this year, this upscale Oahu property drew raves from readers, including calls of it being a favorite among travelers who’ve visited every island, reflecting strong enthusiasm for its overall guest experience." - Hannah Selinger Hannah Selinger Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated lifestyle writer based in Boxford, Massachusetts. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A celebrity favorite since the 1960s, The Kahala Hotel and Resort has hosted numerous famous guests. It features a small secluded beach, a saltwater pool, and rooms with modern conveniences. Guests can enjoy dining at Hoku’s with Pacific views, and the hotel offers ADA-compliant rooms and a shuttle service to Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Kahala Mall." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"The resort positions stewardship and Hawaiian culture at the center of its guest experience: general manager Joe Ibarra (a native Hawaiian) emphasizes the Ahupuaʻa principle that land and sea are interconnected and resources must be balanced and returned. Since launching its KISCA (Kahala’s Initiative for Sustainability, Culture & the Arts) program in 2018, the property has offered easy ways for visitors to give back—guests can opt into a $10 donation at check-in (about 75% participate), attend beachside Sunset Seminars about protecting the islands, and return leis to the poolside tree as a gesture of gratitude. The executive chef’s considered sourcing and partnerships with local nonprofits underpin efforts to protect Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and culture so future generations can experience them." - Katie Chang
"A beachfront resort where the user's mother once worked." - Jennifer Flowers
"An elegant dining venue offering refined multi-course meals; the reviewer highlights a whimsical take on Hainanese chicken featuring fork-tender poached chicken sourced from a local farm, presented as part of a four-course dinner by chef Jonathan Mizukami." - Katie Chang
