Hawaiian hotels get hip revamps
Two buildings from the 1960s now embrace retro surfer vibe with extensive makeovers
HONOLULU, OAHU— Two 1960s Honolulu hotels have recently been reborn as hip stays.
The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club, which opened in 2016 after an extensive renovation, embraces a retro-surfer vibe with a pool smack in the middle of the open-concept reception and courtyard.
The modest oval pool has a cheeky “Wish You Were Here” mosaic on the bottom, best seen from room balconies around the hotel. Thoughtful touches in the 112 bungalow-inspired rooms include a roomy canvas beach bag for use during your stay and Olive & Oliver’s coffee boutique off the lobby, which sells both java and clothing.
Ask at the desk for a map for a selfguided neighbourhood walk of mid-century Waikiki, including some background on the Surfjack. It opened in 1961 as the Waikiki Surf Hotel, designed by Roy Kelley of the Outrigger Hotel chain. It’s a short walk to Waikiki Beach. A few blocks over, the Laylow is another 1960s-era hotel that’s undergone a boutique makeover — $60 million (U.S.) was spent on Honolulu’s first Autograph Collection Hotel.
The 251-room hotel reflects its mid-century modern origins, blending designer style and Hawaiian decor. The wall behind reception is filled with dashboard hula dolls and there are rattan and wood elements throughout. The salt water pool is surrounded by tropical gardens.
The open-concept lobby, lanai and bar area features a fire pit and vintage furnishings. Rooms have Hawaiian art and photo books and you can try your ukulele skills: there’s one in each room.
The Laylow is close to Waikiki Beach and next door to the International Market Place, which underwent a major renovation in 2016, including the addition of The Street, A Michael Mina Social House, which seeks to replicate night marketstyle dining stations that are visited with a flat-fee dining card. Linda Barnard was hosted by the Oahu Visitors Bureau, which did not review or approve this story.