Coast Breakfast show host Bernadine Oliver-Kerby checks into the Laylow Hotel, in Hawaii
Location: Right in the heart of Waikiki. Shops and restaurants including the revamped international marketplace at the bottom of the hotel’s escalator.
Vibe: Trendy and hip. We are neither, but couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in one of Waikiki’s newest hotels.
Check-in experience: Our room wasn’t ready as our flight arrived mid-morning so we were offered use of the pool. We opted for a stroll instead but on returning, the room still wasn’t ready. Joey, at the front desk, described this as “unacceptable” and after apologising profusely, made urgent calls to housekeeping, swiftly checking us into a room on a higher floor. If you’re in the hotel industry and want the very best at your front desk, head-hunt Joey.
The room: You’re hit by stunning decor that makes you want to redecorate your own home, pronto. Bold wallpaper and retro-modern furnishings made our corner suite with two balconies very impressive. There’s a small fridge and a coffee machine is available on request. The suite has massive space for a family of four. Extras: A welcome basket with a generous assortment of local snacks, water and even jandals, was a great bonus.
The beds: King-size and dreamy. Folddown sofas for the little people. The bathroom: Huge shower with trendy faux wood panelling. All the extras — moisturiser, body wash, shampoo. Makeup remover wipes a nice addition.
Facilities: A gym next to the pool is small but excellent (so my husband tells me), I however can personally vouch for the pool. Cabanas and comfy loungers are well utilised, with loungers occupying the shallow pool shelf a glamorous addition. Sensational food and drinks can be ordered poolside but the highlight surely, are the staff offering to “spritz” your face and body to cool down, or to offer complimentary in-house juice.
Every afternoon between 1pm-2pm guests young and old are treated to complimentary freshly shaved ice in a cup — Obama-style.
Food and drink: The Hideout offers fresh modern fare from breakfast to dinner. Forget deep fried feasts, only the good stuff here, with the ahi poke (fresh tuna) a winner. In-room dining is available. The drinks list is enormous, I highly recommend the Laylow Hawaiian Mai Tai (pictured). Preferably poolside.
Noise: There’s nightly entertainment at the Hideout and we could hear this from our room. The music stops at 10pm however. What’s in the neighbourhood: Everything. You’re in the heart of Waikiki with restaurants and shops just seconds away. Waikiki beach is a four-minute walk, if you make it past the shops. The price: From $309 per night. Stay again? We’d move in.