|
Halekulani
Calvinist missionaries from Europe nearly wiped out surfing in the 19th century, when they forced Hawaiian natives, who were the sport's primary practitioners at the time, to desist from such hedonistic pursuits. But in the early 1900s, Duke Kahanamoku and other Hawaiians began congregating at Waikiki Beach, where they revived a pastime that soon spread like the gospel to the American mainland 'and beyond. Nearly a century after Hawaiians reclaimed the ocean from Europeans-whose own surf culture now stretches from southern Portugal to Northern Ireland-Frenchman Yves Garnier landed at La Mer, the flagship restaurant at Waikiki's Halekulani hotel. Gamier, once cl chef for Monaco's royal family, serves what he refers to as neoclassical French cuisine at the 23-year-old eatery, which overlooks the famous beach's sail-specked waters. Highlights from his m.enu include sauteed foie gras brioche and roasted Barbary duck breast and thigh confit, dishes that have helped La Mer earn Hawaii's only five-diamond rating.
La Mer is housed in Halekulani's original main building, which dates to the 1930s and was constructed shortly before a wave of high-rise developments swept through Honolulu. Halekulani has since embraced its urban setting, evolving into a big-city hotel with attentive service and sophisticated perks such as privileges at the Honolulu Symphony and the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Each of the hotel's guest rooms is decorated crisply (no aloha prints in sight) and outfitted comfortably, with deep soaking tubs, down pillows, and a selection of slack-key CDs to lull you to sleep.
Halekulani accented its urbanity in 2005, when the hotel unveiled a guest suite designed by Manhattan fashion mogul Vera Wang. The 2,135- square-foot space, which includes several ofWang's signature furnishings, affords views of Diamond Head and, directly below the hotel, of Hawaiians, Californians, Canadians-even Europeans-riding the waves of Waikiki.
LOCATION
Along Waikiki Beach on the south shore of Oahu, a 10-minute drive from the
Honolulu Airport.
ACCOMMODATIONS The 455 guest rooms include a 2, 135-square-foot suite designed by Vera Wang and a two-bedroom, 3,120- square-foot Royal Suite. Both offer private butler service and views of Diamond Head.
FACILITIES
A glass-tile pool, a fitness center, and a spa that
specializes in Hawaiian and South Pacific treatments. A teak ballroom and two banquet terraces can be
reserved for meetings and events.
DINING
French cuisine, including new vegetarian entrees, at La Mer; casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner et House Without a Key; and contemporary seafood at Orchids, which hosts Sunday brunch.
The hotel makes all of its baked goods and chocolates on-site.
CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS
A visit to Shanqri La, Doris Duke's Iranian-, Syrian-, Moroccan-, Turkish-. and Indian-style estate. The
ornate, 1930s-era structure houses the heiress' extensive collection of Islamic artworks and furnishings
RATES
Rooms from $445 to $735, suites from $960 to $2,145.
Rates for the Vera Wang Suite start at $5,250, the Royal Suite at $6,300.
|
