The debut of the new Wayfinder Waikiki hotel is a love letter to the neighborhood it calls home.
Don’t miss the many Hawaiian design touches throughout, like the lei-adorned lighting fixtures in the guest rooms. PHOTO BY READ MCKENDREE
A self-proclaimed celebrator of the “B-side” of Waikiki, the newly reimagined Wayfinder Waikiki steps away from the usual Hawai‘i clichés to offer a more authentic local experience. Hospitality developer Dovetail and Co. has brought the cool, design-centric flair of the original Wayfinder in Newport, Rhode Island, to the Fiftieth State. Housed in a Brutalist concrete high-rise on the Ala Wai side of Waikiki, the property takes a different approach to island design with a decidedly graphic and groovy feel, paired with a commitment to the local community.
A private pool awaits. PHOTO BY READ MCKENDREE
Bringing together the teams behind local powerhouse branding company Welcome Stranger and interior expert Vanguard Theory was a match made in design heaven, with the inspiring result seen in every detail of the hotel’s design. Low-slung midcentury modern furniture meets mod tiling in a 70s palette in the breezy, open-air lobby, and the playful and inventive décor continues in the upstairs and poolside suites. Rooms feature bright colors, aloha- and palaka-print quilted headboards—a nod to Hawai‘i’s plantation era past—and lei-adorned modern lighting fixtures. Thoughtful touches like vintage postcards and striped bathrobes are found in the rooms and the gift shop, where all the retro-cool, custom-designed souvenirs are genuinely covetable.
The kidney-shaped pool, flanked by striped lounges, lavender umbrellas and a riot of foliage, is a hidden oasis behind the main building and surely one of the best pool areas in Waikiki. Here the hotel hosts weekly in-pool fitness dance classes with instructor Maxine Forbes, one of the many “chill fun” events the Wayfinder organizes. The wellness program encourages a “come as you are” ethos with offerings like a lei-making course by local florist Paiko and weekly guided runs for all levels by athlete Chris Salas and the Running Lab. Twice-weekly live music sessions feature local Hawaiian and reggae artists, as well as a DJ set by Aloha Got Soul—a vinyl record label and oldest record shop in Honolulu—who is also responsible for the custom-made vinyl record in each room.
Next to the hotel lobby, stop by the gift shop for custom-designed souvenirs. PHOTO BY READ MCKENDREE
Each guest receives a coconut Mai Tai welcome cocktail best enjoyed poolside with a poke bowl sourced from the newly-opened on-site restaurant Redfish. This outpost of the favorite local poke bar is helmed by Chef Royce Arakaki, who aims to serve Old Hawai‘i comfort foods with a contemporary twist in dishes beyond just poke, like ahi loco moco and braised pork belly jook. A dip in the hot tub with a cocktail from the moody, tropical poolside speakeasy Lost & Found is the perfect end to a perfect Waikiki day. wayfinderhotels.com
Enjoy Wayfinder Waikiki’s playful design approach with bright colors and aloha- and palaka-prints. PHOTO BY READ MCKENDREE
PHOTO BY READ MCKENDREE
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