What was old is new again. In 2016, the then Pacific Beach Hotel underwent a massive $100+ million redevelopment. The complete makeover involved all 800+ hotel rooms and included all public spaces. The fruits of this investment was partially unveiled in late 2017 when the hotel was rebranded and reimagined as the Alohilani Resort. What can you expect? A modern and contemporary vibe that evokes calming relaxation, or, as they like to call it, Aloha Chic.
Food
Lychee: A Waikiki Brunch Experience At The Alohilani Resort
Tucked away on the second floor of the reimagined Alohilani Resort is Waikiki’s newest brunch experience, Lychee. During a recent stay at the Alohilani, we were invited to experience the extensive brunch buffet. You’ll find the usual suspects, including eggs, sausages, and baked goods. Beyond that, expect a variety of seasonal fruits like rambutan and mango, seafood including sashimi, opihi, taegu prawns, and snow crab legs, a prime rib carving station, cuts of bone marrow, and even a milk tea and boba bar.
MoDo Donuts: Treat Yo Self
Every now and then we all need a little sweet treat. At MoDo (inside of Mitsuwa Market at the International Market Place), you can experience the mochi donut, made popular in Japan. I’m seeing mochi donuts more often in recent month at bakeries throughout Hawaii, but based on experience, MoDo tastes the most authentic to the ones that I’ve had in Japan. I’m fairly basic when it comes to my mochi donut needs, I tend to go with either chocolate or strawberry…both highly recommended if you visit MoDo. Pick up a few for me while you’re there.
The Herringbone Brunch Experience
Herringbone Waikiki is as imaginative with its menu as it is Instagram friendly. You’ll want to take a photo of everything you see and taste at this International Market Place dining establishment. The Herringbone experience is one for all of the senses to enjoy. They’ve recently started to serve weekend brunch, and I think they’ve nailed it. And by the way…the weekend (at Herringbone) begins on Aloha Fridays…so plan accordingly.
A Weekend At The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel
Nestled along the pristine Kohala Coast on the Island of Hawaii, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is a wonderful choice for those looking to mix the luxury that Kona is known for with Hawaiian history, adventure, and delicious delights. Of course, you could always do what we did for part of the trip, and just lounge at the pool and relax at the Mauna Lani Spa.
5 To Try: Waikiki Coffee Shops You Must Try
There’s a lot going on in Waikiki, and to experience it all, you’ll need fuel..and I can’t think of anything better than a nice hot (or ice cold) cup of coffee. Turns out, there’s no shortage of coffee shops in Waikiki.
Happy Hour At Flour & Barley Waikiki
Flour & Barley is always looking for ways to make your Waikiki dining experience that much better…they did it with brunch…and now they’re doing it with a festive Happy Hour selection of beers, cocktails, and food specials. They invited us down to sample some of their new offerings and we enjoyed it all. Happy Hour at Flour & Barley is daily from 2pm to 6pm and from 10pm to closing. What are you waiting for? Get down there!
Moena Cafe at Kapolei’s Ka Makana Alii
We’ve dined at Moena Cafe’s Hawaii Kai location (see this post) on numerous occasions. So, when their new location at Ka Makana Alii (Kapolei’s newest mall) opened, we had to check it out…a few times.
Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar at Waikiki
We might not have a Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Hawaii, but we do have a Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar. The Waikiki cafe on Seaside Avenue is the first in Hawaii to offer the company’s small-lot Reserve coffees in the premium Reserve Bar setting.
A Weekend At The Shoreline Hotel Waikiki + A Foodie Itinerary for Waikiki
The Shoreline Hotel recently opened their doors for us to enjoy a weekend stay at their sleek, modern hotel, located in the Heart of Waikiki. We used this time as an opportunity to enjoy the amenities that they offered and also explore some of the nearby food attractions…and my, oh my, there are many new options to consider.