What’s a better way to do a staycation in Waikiki? By making it a girl’s staycation! While Reid is away for business, I had the pleasure of inviting my friend, Kehau, for a girls weekend! We usually stay around the main strip any time we stay in Waikiki. This time, we found ourselves staying at The Laylow for the first time since its opening in March 2017.

The Laylow is Oahu’s first Autograph Collection Hotel, a luxury hotel chain owned by Marriot. With Honolulu being in a massive renovation and redevelopment phase, The Laylow is conveniently located in the heart of all the ruckus. It is one street away from famous Waikiki Strip and is on the same street as International Market Place – a perfect ambiance with retail shops and new, classy, restaurants.

CHECK-IN

Feeling The Aloha. As soon as we turned on Kuhio Avenue, we were welcomed by valet and offered delivery of our bags to the room. Valet parking is $35 per day with 24-hour access in and out of the hotel. Immediately after the greeting, we were instructed to take the escalator upstairs to the lobby. The check-in desk is on the second floor and the earliest time to check-in is at 3:00 pm. On the way to the main lobby were a lot of live plants all along the walls, separating us from the city. The change in environment also brought on a new, relaxed vibe. We were entering a new scene, off the streets of Waikiki.

THE ROOM – HO’OKIPA LEVEL

After checking-in, we took the elevator up to the 15th floor, also known as the Executive level. To gain access to your floor, you’ll need to scan your key card in the elevator and select your level. Each key card is locked to only go to your designated floor.

Chic + Modern. As soon we walked in, we noticed the fun wall, major tropical vibe! It’s a perfect spot for photos with its chic and modern design. The living room area had a day bed, table, circle straw stool, and chair. Space was a bit tight, but with a little room re-arranging, we managed to create more room (for photos of course!). I’ve noticed with every hotel we stay at that having a balcony improves the visit. Being able to walk outside anytime you choose and breathe in the fresh air makes a room 10x more enjoyable.

A room full of entertainment. One of my favorite areas was the entertainment section of the room. It had a lot going on: The TV was ‘device-enabled’ meaning it could connect to your phone via Bluetooth and play music; it also had Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, and standard cable. A Fun ukulele at the top, multiple Hawaiian history books, a picture book of Hawaii’s history of surfing, a little office desk, and a mini fridge made it feel like home – literally as if walking into a friends new place. Also, we had a wonderful gift basket filled with TheLaylow slippers, yummy snacks, and delicious drinks.

Our room came with a comfy king size bed, cloud soft pillows and a reading lamp on each side along with desks, and outlets.

The outlet and clock also have USB ports which are very helpful charging multiple devices.

The bathroom was modern with a wooden sliding cabinet on the vanity and a wooden wall in the shower. Although modern it couldn’t help but remind me of the retro 80’s wood designed furniture – I loved it! The shower was a glass door and had room to move around. There was no bathtub in the bathroom.

Each bathroom offered Maak Lab bath products – exclusive to Laylow Hotel.

Also, on the Ho’okipa level, there is complimentary food + non-alcoholic beverage available for guests staying on the 15th floor. The staff changes out the snacks three times per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Coffee, hot chocolate, espresso, cappuccino, cafe latte, water, and juice were available all day.

DRINK + DINE

Hideout is located on the same floor as the hotel lobby. Quite a perfect spot to “hide out”, away from the crowded restaurants in Waikiki. This hidden gem offers many choices for dining such as indoor, outdoor lanai, and bar seating.

Our favorite spot at Hideout? Sandbar Lounge and the fire pit seating area is where we found ourselves lounging all weekend. Just imagine sitting here, sun setting, fire burning, drinking wine all with live music feeling the air. You can just imagine the good vibes emitting all around!

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Happy Hour is available from 4:30pm-6:30pm

Morning or evening coffee cravings? Head to the Hideout Coffee bar for your fix. As a new found lover of coffee, any hotel that has a coffee shop ticks up the overall rating by one point to us.

SWIM + FITNESS

Pool towels are available for guests which can be signed out at the store, located at the pool entrance.

There are two cabanas at the pool, perfect to lounge all day in. This cabana is available for anyone, but it’s ‘first-come first served.’

If you don’t get a cabana, there are lounge chairs available in the pool. The perfect way to relax and lay low.

Ice cold lemon infused water, sunscreen, and fruit bowl available at the pool area.

If you aren’t feeling for a swim, there are many seating spots to relax in. The pool vibe at Laylow definitely felt more for adults – or rather, for a more mature crowd. We didn’t see any kids at the pool during our visit or at all throughout the hotel. It was absolute relaxation around the pool area.

Next to the pool is the fitness room which is open 24 hours – believe it or not, this is relatively rare on our travels – a 24-hour gym inside a hotel. No matter your style of working out, this gym can accommodate for just about any variation. I loved that they had the various equipment to choose from.

Overall, girls weekend was a success! We were able to “lay low” at the pool, unwind, and “hide out” at their bar + restaurant. If you’re looking for a place to relax in a busy, tourist-filled city such as Waikiki, The Laylow hotel is the perfect spot for you! We were floored by the cohesive mash-up of beautiful colors and multiple amenities to choose from. Reid and I will be back, he needs to experience this new, chic, and conveniently located hotel. We hope you get to chance to stay here! You will not be disappointed by its lovely appearance or let down by the staff’s Aloha spirit.