Hotel Review: Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger, Hawai‘i

Australians love Hawai‘i – according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, over 324,000 of us visited the Aloha State of America in 2018. Many come to experience Waikiki and its world-famous beach, but in such a popular holiday destination, outdated and overpriced hotels and resorts are widespread.

Like a waft of salty sea air, the Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger offers a fresh alternative on these overdeveloped shores. Doors officially reopened in April after a $35 million makeover, and Outrigger now describes the property as a ‘stylish lifestyle hotel … oasis amidst the energy of Kalakaua Avenue’ (one of the busiest thoroughfares in the tourist district).

Details

Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger
2300 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai‘i, USA

The hotel is just a block away from famous Waikiki beach

First Impressions

From street level, a giant escalator transports us to the lobby, where the design aesthetic is an appealing blend of beach culture meets aloha spirit: rattan seating in wavy driftwood shapes; carpets channelling the colours and patterns of a swirling sea and sand; and walls with hand-drawn murals of native flora.

At the front desk, the effervescent host tries to accommodate our request for an early check-in but our room category is unavailable. “The [Deluxe Ocean View Room] is one of the best, and there’s not many of them, so people tend to maximise their stay and check out as late as possible," she explains. “It’s worth the wait," she assures.

Lounging poolside proves to be a welcome detour: we soak in the hot tub, laze on canopied daybeds, and graze on eggs, waffles and locally roasted coffee from the onsite cafe.

The rooms

Our room is ready well before the standard 3pm time and indeed, worth waiting for. Inside, the coastal vibe – prevalent through the hotel’s common spaces – is amplified: pendant lights of exposed bulbs and woven rope, wall hangings of coiled raffia, splashes of ocean blue and sunset orange.

Behind the bed is an oversized shot of underwater imagery from Zak Noyle, internationally renowned professional surf photographer and O‘ahu local, whose work is showcased throughout the hotel.

Its best ‘design’ elements, though, are the sweeping views of iconic Waikiki sights – the Diamond Head volcanic ridge, ‘pink palace’ Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and an endless watery horizon of shimmering, marbled turquoise.

Slow elevators and resort fees (ubiquitous in Waikiki) are minor drawbacks, but easily offset by highlights that include a restaurant from Maui Brewing Co, Hawai‘i’s largest craft brewery, serving up boutique beers and locally inspired fare created with island-sourced ingredients, such as ahi tuna tostadas and plates of loco moco.

A refreshing escape indeed.

Hawaiian patterns in the bathroom’s partition

The IT verdict

Drawing inspiration from sun and surf culture, the hotel is high on Hawaiian hospitality and daringly different to other accommodation options around.

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Location: 9/10

Unbeatable location right in the pulsating heart of Waikiki with designer stores, markets, bars and restaurants at your doorstep… and the beach a block away.

Style/character: 8.5/10

Laid-back beach living fused with an authentic, aloha spirit.

Service: 7/10

Warm and friendly. Front desk queues can be lengthy, if your timing clashes with a conference.

Food and drink: 7/10

No room service; but two third-party venues at the hotel and a wealth of drinking and dining options within blocks mean you won’t go thirsty or hungry!

Value for money: 8.5/10

We paid $361 per night for a Deluxe Ocean View Room – a bargain for the million-dollar vistas.

All IT reviews are conducted anonymously and our writers pay their own way – so we experience exactly what you would.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.