Latest news with #RomerHouseWaikiki
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Inside Look: Romer House Waikiki Review
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).
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-pool-romer-house-waikiki-ROMERHOUSEHI0325-9056ded6a0994d75a00c584699264017.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
25-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I Took My Mom on Our First Mother-daughter Trip to This Hawaii Adults-only Hotel, and It Was Perfect
The hotel hosts late-night get-togethers with live DJ sessions from Thursday to Sunday. Restaurant 855-Aloha blends Hawaiian flavors with Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and European influences and offers an impressive collection of sake and whisky. Romer House Waikīkī is a ten-minute walk from Honolulu's Waikīkī Beach and right around the corner from major shopping venues, including the International Market Place. The hotel has partnered with a local rental shop to offer guests complimentary use of beach gear. As a kid, family vacations took us to one of three destinations—Missouri (to see family), Virginia (to see family), and Florida (to see family—though we also got to hit Disney World and the beach). Aside from that, my mom and I had never had a chance to travel just the two of us. So when Romer House Waikīkī, O'ahu's only adults-only hotel, opened last year, I invited her to join me for our first real grown-up vacation together. The hotel is tucked on a residential block in the Kuhio neighborhood near Ala Wai Boulevard and a short walk to Waikīkī beach. As we stepped inside the lobby, it felt like we were leaving the hustle and bustle of tourist life behind and entering a cozy living room. The soft lighting and Hawai'i-inspired wooden accents created a warm, welcoming ambiance, while the midcentury modern design, local art by surf photographer Arto Saari, and native landscaping tastefully created a sense of place. And everything, from the heated pool to the restaurant, felt elevated and refined yet playful and fun. As we checked in and chatted with the front desk staff, music was bumping, and I could tell people were already getting a headstart on their nightlife plans, though it was only 4 p.m. The 855-Aloha, the hotel's signature restaurant, was our first stop. Although we were absolutely exhausted from the 12-hour flight to O'ahu, the warm energy of the staff, combined with the amazing food and drinks, carried us through dinner. And it didn't take long into our stay to figure out that Romer House Waikīkī was offering its guests the best of two worlds: luxe relaxation and carefree fun. Here is my full review of Romer House Waikīkī. Interior of a king guest room. Travis Rowan/Courtesy of Romer House Waikiki The hotel has 179 one-bedroom guest rooms and suites, some with sleeper sofas and private lanais. All are designed with sky-blue ceilings, beautiful wooden accents, and local photography. My mom and I stayed in a 389-square-foot Luxe Two Queen room, perfect for us to claim our own little corners of relaxation after a long day. The spacious bathroom was stocked with bespoke Romer Neighborhood Hotels products. The two queen beds were fitted with luxe Kassatex linens, and a soft backlight created a cozy atmosphere for evening laughter and conversation. The lounge area, which included a sleeper sofa, was where we had our meals, put on our makeup, and planned our day together. Comfortable and homey is how I would describe the guest room—co-existing with my mother in a space that was somehow familiar to us, even though we had never been there before. When we needed a moment to take it all in, we sat out on our lanai—we couldn't see the beach, but the city lights at night made for a beautiful backdrop. The Angry Edamame, Ocean Umami and other dishes from 855-Aloha. Craig Bixel/Courtesy of Romer House Waikiki One of the highlights of Romer House Waikīkī is 855-Aloha, the ground-floor restaurant, named in honor of the island's payphone number. The eatery serves a mash-up of local flavors with influences from Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and European cuisines. With its cozy ambiance, it encourages visitors to relax and connect "analog-style" over delicious food and drinks. The menu consisted of shareable plates; everything was delicious, especially the seafood. The Aloha Spoon, an appetizer featuring Ikura, quail egg, uni, ponzu, and shiso, was refreshing, while the Tamari Salmon Poke with sweet soy sesame and scallions was simple but delicious. In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco. At the time of publishing, the hotel has added a new cocktail bar, The Lei Stand, a reference to Honolulu's Chinatown lei shops. Here, guests can enjoy live DJ sets and handcrafted cocktails like Clifton's Curse with locally made rum, house-made orgeat, amaro, cognac, and sherry. There is one more bar by the hotel's pool, The Backyard, serving cocktails and light bites. Guests can reserve a daybed in The Backyard. Jalyn Robinson/Travel + Leisure Romer House Waikīkī leans heavily into its adults-only title with programming made especially for those 21 and up. Weekends are meant for one thing—parties. From Thursday to Sunday, local DJs spin mixes from as early as 7 p.m. to as late as midnight. While the hotel might not have a luxury spa or gym, it still provides ample wellness offerings. Guests can keep healthy with fresh green and immunity juices at the bar. Those looking for something more physical can sign up for a yoga, hula, or Body Balance class, rent bikes, and enjoy floating sound baths in the pool. And if you don't mind the 10-minute walk, you also get complimentary access to Alohilani FIT Waikiki, Alohilani Resort's gym. If you're interested in hitting the beach, the hotel is a short 10-minute walk away from the waves. Romer House Waikīkī has partnered with Beach Candy, a rental shop, providing guests with complimentary use of beach chairs, umbrellas, body boards, and paddleboards. The hotel's concierge team can help set up local tours and adventures, including whale watching, waterfall hiking, and experiencing a lūʻau, a traditional Hawaiian party with food and entertainment. Romer House Waikīkī offers four ADA-compliant room types: three room categories with a transfer shower and a two queen bedroom with a roll-in shower. The hotel also participates in the Genki Ala Wai Project, which focuses on cleaning up the Ala Wai Canal's ecosystem. Guests can sign up to walk to the canal and toss in Genki balls, filled with microorganisms that eat away at the sludge in the canal created from manmade pollutants. The front entrance and exterior facade of the hotel. Courtesy of Romer House Waikiki The hotel is less than 10 miles from Honolulu airport and, with no traffic, can be reached by car in as little as 15 minutes. A 45-minute bus ride from the airport to Kūhiō Avenue and Seaside Street will drop you off two minutes from the hotel. Romer House Waikīkī is across the street from the International Market Place, a hub for shopping and local eateries, and is only a few blocks away from Kalākaua Avenue, known for its shopping, hotels, and direct access to the iconic Waikīkī Beach. Romer House Waikīkī isn't a part of any loyalty programs, but it does provide exclusive offers on its website. Government and military employees can get 15 percent off of their stay, while locals can get 20 percent discount. Nightly rates at Romer House Waikīkī start from $209. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Travel Weekly
11-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Lei Stand bar moves to Romer House Waikiki
Romer House Waikiki, an adults-only boutique hotel, added the Lei Stand Waikiki bar to its retreat. The Lei Stand was formerly located in Honolulu's Chinatown district and has moved to this new location. "With an emphasis on highlighting local neighborhoods and paying homage to Hawaii's beloved customs, the reopening of the Lei Stand at Oahu's first adults-only hotel is the perfect alignment of both brands. We couldn't be more excited to invite our friends and visitors to 'Get Lei'd in Waikiki," said Lei Stand co-founder Tara Kanani Shimooka in a news release. "The Lei Stand is more than just a bar; it's a celebration of Hawaii's rich traditions and vibrant future. While our story will always be connected to Chinatown, we're excited to embark on this next phase with the amazing team at Romer House Waikiki," added Lei Stand co-founder, Ryan Kalei Tsuji. The Lei Stand sells fresh lei from local artisans right at the bar. It also has a full menu of cocktails, beer and wine, including Soup Soup, a coconut mix of tequila with pineapple, falernum and absinthe. An appetizer menu with edamame hummus and taro chips is also available.
