A rainbow appeared as we sipped beers at the Royal Hawaiian.
It had been awhile since we last visited Waikiki. I enjoy Manhattan’s urban rumble. Gotham should be loud and bustling. But my Hawaii is peaceful hidden beaches, two-lane country roads and tropical vegetation. Still, the Islands’ big city flashed its appeal as a rainbow appeared while we sipped cold beers at the Royal Hawaiian’s classic Mai Tai Bar. The Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head and a rainbow. Fit for the Hawaii Five-0 opening or a Hawaiian Airlines magazine ad. Fortunately, my iPhone was handy so I could capture it before it vaporized.
Broken surfboards make an intriguing display in the lobby of The Modern Hotel.
Our urban interlude included a stay at The Modern Hotel, an older structure at Waikiki’s Ala Moana gateway that has been remodeled in a sleek W kind of way. Situated next to the Illikai and overlooking the Ala Moana yacht harbor, The Modern is convenient to access because it is outside the Waikiki traffic gauntlet. Of course, that also means there is a short walk to the beach. The hotel tries hard with it’s uber white decor, a stark contrast to the koa wood, wicker and tiki so prevalent in the islands. A collage of broken surfboards provides an uncoventional lobby centerpiece. This is fitting, since just beyond the harbor is an excellent surf spot where I spent many an hour on my first Hawaiian summer in 1975.
The view from our room included the Modern’s pool desk, the harbor and beach beyond.
The Modern’s room prices are less than the beachfront resorts in the thick of Waikiki, making it a good alternative for the budget conscious as well as business travelers who want to be near the beach, boat owners whose vessels are docked nearby and surfers who want easy access to Ala Moana. We saw some of them with their boards in the lobby. Iron Chef Morimoto’s Waikiki restaurant is on site for those desiring a gourmet and pricey meal. A Chart House sits across the street.
One of The Modern’s pools.
We considered dining at Morimoto, but ended up walking through the resort area and having dinner at Duke’s after our Royal Hawaiian beers. We always get a solid meal at Duke’s and its T.S. Restaurants siblings whether in the islands or at the Huntington Beach Pier. The macademia-crusted fish is a favorite and the Waikiki Duke’s has a terrific salad bar and stunning oceanfront location next to the Royal Hawaiian. Waikiki’s high-end shopping scene has gone to a new level in recent years. Rodeo Drive or South Coast Plaza meet the beach. If “shoppertainment” is your thing, Waikiki has upped its game. It certainly gives the designer boutiques access to Hawaii’s many Asian tourists, who appeared to be happily partaking. For traditionalists, the venerable International Marketplace continues to thrive in the midst of the Guccis and Armanis. All told, our Waikiki interlude was enjoyable and updated my knowledge of the destination. But then it was on to our favorite slice of paradise: Kauai. Stay tuned.