Ever since its renovation last year, the White Sands Hotel has become one of the coolest spots in town for visitors and locals alike. The Waikiki classic pays homage to its midcentury roots with vintage Hawai‘i decor and retro tiki-bar vibes. In a neighborhood with hotels focused on beach activities, this hidden gem celebrates the poolside culture of the Jet Age and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The propertywide redesign was completed in mid-2021 when it debuted its much-anticipated Heyday restaurant and pool bar helmed by chef Robynne Maii of Fête fame. Much like her popular Chinatown eatery, chef Maii serves farm-to-table continental cuisine with a Hawaiian twist at Heyday, like kampachi meuniere, Heyday vegan lumpia and curry chicken club. The outdoor restaurant opened next to the Instagram-worthy courtyard pool and grotto-style hot tub, and features a bamboo bar and full dining service to the ground-floor guest room lanais. Swing on a hanging chair under the thatched bar and enjoy a kitschy tropical beverage like the chef Robynne’s Mai’i Tai, a Fête 75 or the Ala Wai Seahorse as you enjoy the balmy Waikiki breeze. White Sands Hotel, 431 Nohonani St., Waikiki, whitesandshotel.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE SANDS HOTEL
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