Inside Look: Romer House Waikiki Review

Forbes

2 days ago

L ocated in the heart of Honolulu's busiest district, Romer House Waikiki is a stylish urban retreat for visitors and locals alike. As the first adults-only hotel on Oahu, it welcomes guests with its elevated mid-century design and locally inspired amenities, as well as a slew of insider-y events and experiences.
While not directly oceanside, the property is a short walk to the beach and around the corner from the myriad shops and dining options of the International Market Place. I checked in recently with my mom, and we appreciated its warm ambiance, walkable location and delightful restaurant, 855-Aloha. Read my full review below.
Exterior of Romer House Waikiki. Romer House Waikiki Who Will Love It: Couples, friend groups and solo adult travelers who want a stylish and affordable base in central Waikiki All-Star Amenities: Heated pool and lounge; wellness sessions; complimentary daily guest programming What Not To Miss: Cocktails at The Lei Stand; Hawaiian-influenced dining at 855-Aloha; floating sound baths and hula happy hour Ages: Adults only (18 and older) Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Romer House Waikiki features tasteful mid-century design with visual nods to surfing and island culture. Spaces filled with native landscaping provide the feeling of a chic Waikiki apartment, while a mini art gallery by the lobby, Romer Artspace, displays rotating works from local artists curated by the hotel's 'Mayor of the Block,' Ramona Sidlo, who serves as the director of experiential marketing and the property's go-to person for local culture. There are themed late-night DJ sessions from Thursday to Sunday, and guests get priority reservations at cocktail bar The Lei Stand as well as exclusive 'Key to the Neighborhood' perks using their room key. These include discounts on everything from local car rentals to yoga classes.
The Lei Stand at Romer House Waikiki. Brooke Fitts
The hotel features an on-site heated wading pool, which is compact and better suited for hanging out while enjoying poke and a sundowner on one of the reservable daybeds or relaxed sling deck chairs. An outdoor space is used to host special events like evening comedy shows as well as floating sound baths and wellness classes like Beach Bums (and Abs). Although the property feels streamlined in certain ways—it doesn't have an on-site spa or gym—it makes up for it with complimentary services like beach gear and bike rentals as well as access to nearby health club Fit Waikiki.
Romer House Waikiki has 179 rooms and suites, many with a balcony, that face the street and city or look out over the pool and buildings behind the hotel. We stayed in a 506-square-foot Junior Suite Two Queens room, which felt spacious and featured extra seating and a private lanai; I was surprised to learn it can sleep up to six people thanks to a sofa bed. Given the property's urban location, take note that street-facing rooms can be noisy.
A Junior Two Queens Suite at Romer House Waikiki. Romer House Waikiki
The room was decorated with local photography, woven textiles in muted tones and artful wood-framed mirrors. The wide, breezy lanai was a great spot to unwind during downtime and take in Honolulu's city lights at dusk. Food And Beverage
The property's main restaurant, 855-Aloha, takes its name from a reference to the island's payphone number. Its menu features Japanese-, Korean- and Hawaiian-influenced dishes like mapo yakko, sizzling prime beef galbi and kampachi ceviche alongside a well-curated collection of cocktails, sake, wine and spirits. Dishes are meant to be shared, which is great because everything I tried was excellent—so much so that I dined there multiple times, even with the variety of delicious eateries nearby. If you're dining solo, the restaurant offers you the option of a complimentary glass of bubbly or an Aloha Spoon (a perfect hors d'oeuvre consisting of uni, ikura, quail egg, shiso and ponzu)—a welcoming touch.
The dining room at 855-Aloha. Romer House Waikiki
In the mornings the restaurant transitions to a breakfast spot where you can order coffee, fresh juice blends and classics like the Hawaiian favorite loco moco and a spam-and-fried-egg sandwich. Just across the lobby is the newly opened The Lei Stand, a revived former beloved Chinatown lounge that offers inventive cocktails and bites like smashburgers and house hurricane fries (it wasn't fully open yet during my stay). The Backyard is the outdoor eatery and lounge by the pool serving everything from tiki drinks and build-your-own spirit-free spritzes to all-day snacks and small plates. What To Do In The Area
Although it's not directly on the beach, Romer House Waikiki is just a short 10-minute walk to the shore. It's centrally located by the shops and restaurants of the International Market Place and Royal Hawaiian Center. It's also right around the corner from Marugame Udon (beloved for its handcrafted udon and tempura) and steps away from poke shop Maguro Spot and underground Asian food hall Stix. If you're looking to hike Diamond Head or visit Manoa Falls, you can rent a car or use any of the widely available rideshare options. How To Get There
Romer House is in the Waikiki Beach area of Honolulu, Oahu. It's about a 15-minute drive from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).