The pool at the Sheraton Waikiki is spectacular, the rest excites less

Hawaii is one of the dream destinations for many Italian tourists, and not only that, I before 2022 had never been there and ironically I ended up there twice in the space of a few months, most recently at one of the stages of the my crazy world tour. They are Landed in Honolulu after time travel and my "free" day I spent it at this hotel, which according to a great many tourists has one of the best infinity pools in the world.

Reservation

Unfortunately, I could not set the dates well in advance because they kept canceling my flights and changing my travel dates, so I ended up booking very late. The choice fell on the Sheraton Waikiki for several reasons:

1. It was one of the "cheapest" of the most popular hotels in Honolulu
2. I wanted to stay at this hotel to experience the infinite pool, one of the most famous infinity pools in the world
3. I wanted a Marriott group hotel to take full advantage of the late check-out included in my Platinum status in the Bonvoy program

If we then add to this the descent of the euro, the game is over. I found myself paying one night almost 600$. Also affecting are final account are the approximately 100$ between taxes and resort fees. A crazy amount, I know, but it is the busiest time after two years of lockdown also because the go-ahead had just been given for the Japanese to be able to leave the Rising Sun. I would have loved to use the points, but I had just emptied my piggy bank for other reservations.

Meager consolation that this reservation earned me about 10 thousand Bonvoy points, enough to stay a night for free in a great many hotels.

Location

When I had visited the Royal Hawaiian, better known as Pink Palace, I had been eyeing this facility with which it shares spaces, given its proximity, and membership in the Marriott family.

The hotel is located in the center of Waikiki Beach, Honolulu's famous beach, one of the most iconic places in the world, is on Waikiki's main street, which is filled with huge buildings, hotels and shopping malls.

Check-in

Sheraton Waikiki may be intimidating at first. It is a huge 31-story building and a huge lobby/commercial area, although it is smaller than its direct competitor the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is about a 10-minute walk away.

Fortunately, there was a separate line for the elites at Marriott Bonvoy, although I must say there were not a lot of people in line.

Since we are in a resort, one tries to make life easier for guests, and the gimmick is to hand out, in addition to the usual key card, some Wristbands that become key and means of payment (and identification) within the facility, as on cruise ships.

I didn't expect an upgrade, of course it is one of the benefits of status, but in the U.S. these levels are easily attainable because of co-branded credit cards, and so the elite level is held by many more people. However, he arrived, not in a suite, but in a high-floor room overlooking the beach and especially the most famous view the crater of Diamond Head, Hawaii's volcano.

Unfortunately, however, the warmth of the reception was lacking, no garland of flowers around the neck, no pampering. With more than 1,600 rooms, the staff members are in "next in line" mode.

Resort Fee

The daily mandatory extra charge of US$42 plus tax includes:

• 2 refillable flasks
• MiFi wireless internet rental
• 1 day GoPro rental
• Unlimited phone calls (long distance and international included)
• Resort cultural activities (lei making, water zumba, stand up paddle lessons, ukulele lessons, and hula lessons)
• Use of pool tables, shuffleboard and foosball table
• RFID wristband room key
• Discounts at Collections of Waikiki Shops in the lobby

Obviously a list of unnecessary things just to justify an absurd tax. The worst thing then that in Marriott this tax is also applied to award stays, which is not the case in Hilton and Hyatt.

The most useful thing are the two free refillable drinking bags in the hotel fountains, too bad they were inconvenient, much more uncomfortable and not thermos at all than the classic aluminum water bottles.

I also would not categorize this hotel as a resort, it is huge true, but it is not a place where you can "live" without going out, which is typical of the resort instead.

The room

After struggling no small amount to locate the correct elevator to my room and wandering the hallways, I finally arrived at my room. I understand why, amusement park model, a map is also distributed to make it easier to get around.

When I walked in, there was no wow effect. The classic room of any Sheraton anywhere in the world.

The room lacked nothing of the usual equipment of this type of hotel, huge king bed with topper and a very comfortable mattress. Mega smart screen. Coffee maker, kettle, semi-empty minibar, safe and a small armchair.

In the whole living room I had the feeling of being in a shopping mall, where things are done at the drop of a hat, just look at the bed. It looked fixed, not fresh for the new guest.

Basic bathroom, but again I had more of a Moxy feel rather than a Sheraton feel. One sink, small with a view of the room, and a shower tub, 1960s. The most technologically advanced thing was the hitech toilet seat.

Repaying the guest is the little terrace and especially the view, the best the hotel has to offer: waikiki beach and Diamond Head volcano.

Swimming pools

The Sheraton Waikiki has 2 swimming pools: the adults-only one is infinity-edge over the ocean and is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset. The second is a family pool with a small water park attached with slides and an area designed for younger children.

The Edge infinity pool is wonderful and probably one of the reasons why people, including me, choose this hotel is one of the most instragrammed in the world. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For guests 16 years and older.

This pool Is the longest ocean-view infinity pool in North America And offers breathtaking views of Diamond Head and the waves of Hawaii

This pool is a very popular place and gets quite crowded, even without children.

As when on a cruise, the few sunbeds, compared of course to the number of guests, are easily exhausted. However, the hotel has a fair policy against ghost guests, that is, those who rush to place their towels on the loungers and then disappear into thin air for hours.

The staff in charge continues to check, If a crib is "abandoned" for too long, it is reported. And if by the written time the rightful owner does not arrive the other guests are released and all items left unattended are removed, this happens in both pools. Excellent.

As always, however, if you want to be sure of your place, you can reserve one of the three cabanas or double beds for a fee. At a cost of several hundred dollars per day.

The second pool is the Helumoa Playground is the perfect place for families, it has 2 pools and 2 water slides and many areas where children can do what they want, controlled and without disturbing other guests. The area is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

I saw no height limit on the larger slide, and the lifeguard said that children over 3 years old can go down both.

Every free inch is occupied here as well with a sunbed, which can be used for free, or by booking one of the few cabanas at a high price.

The beach

There are no bathing establishments in Hawaii, and Waikiki Beach is absolutely free and free. However, guests can rent umbrellas, beach chairs, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards and more.

However, there is no bar, so if you get thirsty or want to eat something you have to go back to the nearby pool areas.

I took a towel from the hotel, lay in the sun and had my swim in the ocean without the need for a beach chair and umbrella.

Leah Lounge

The Leahi Lounge is the club lounge located on the top floor of the Sheraton Waikiki.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the lounge was closed., besides being useful for being able to refresh yourself without spending anything, it offers the same view I had from my room so it is very popular among guests who do not have the same view to take beautiful photos.

Services

The hotel has a shopping arcade inside with a variety of stores, even a small convenience store where you can buy basic necessities. With the ability to charge fees to your account you also get extra Bovoy points compared to buying at off-site stores or paying cash.

Being a family destination offers a lot for this type of guest. Poppins Day Care is an activity program for children ages 2.5 to 12. With beach and pool activities, this could be a fun option for kids to have fun while parents relax. Nice, but expensive, as the hourly rate during my stay started at 40$.

The wi-fi was woeful, but fortunately my phone line includes U.S. traffic so I used my personal hotspot.

Guests are encouraged to visit the Abhasa Spa at the hotel's sister resort The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, which is located right next door. Various massages and facials can be booked online.

Food & Beverage

The hotel offers various types of bars and restaurants. RumFire is the main and most popular restaurant on the property. With outdoor seating overlooking the ocean and Diamond Head, this is a nice place to enjoy a drink and snack at sunset.

Kai Market is the hotel restaurant where breakfast is served every morning. With indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Edge Pool. The combination of free breakfast in Marriott hotels And breakfast in the U.S. translates into pay if you want to eat something.

In a nutshell, Elite guests have access to a discount on certain options on the menu, in lieu of the free one, it takes from 15$ and up, after taxes and tips, if you want to have a savory breakfast.

Here is my omelet from work, no words are needed to say how sad it was.

Then there are the two pool bars, for ordering cocktails or dishes right from the lounger. And there is a bar, like starbucks, and other food outlets of different brands.

The gift for elite guests

I have no idea if this is a permanent thing, or a special initiative for the reduction of elite guest services, but near the front desk there is a Marriott gift shop. When you check in, you are given a voucher to use in this store.

Voucher that is converted into a paper bag of different sizes depending on the status you hold.

In fact, the guest can fill the bag with anything they find inside the store for free. There are sweets, drinks, gadgets branded Hawaii and Marriott. Of course, I had fun finding ways to "loot" as much stuff as possible even though my bag was not exactly huge.

In conclusion

The pool is nice, but I would not return to this hotel, in fact my advice is to stay at the Pink Palace And come to the pool for free. My room had an incredible view, but at an expensive price. The thing that bothered me the most was that unlike the Hilton Hawaiian which is even bigger, you don't feel special as an elite guest and there is no preferential treatment, even relative to the price of the obnoxious resort fee.

• Bonvoy

The verdict

The infinity pool is why you choose this hotel, but the price has to be in line with what it offers, and in high season the basic room costs the same as a room in the Maldives. MADNESS. For one night and to splurge is fine, otherwise I would point to other hotels that are warmer and cozier or offer much more for the price being asked. Half a point up for the policy of eliminating ghost occupants of the loungers.

6.5

Pro

• The infinity pool
• The view of Waikiki

Against

• Anonymous
• Closed lounge
• Bad wifi
• The price and resort fee