Review: The Modern Honolulu

Forget the plastic leis; Waikiki has a new hub for sophisticated travellers, Naomi Jaul discovers.

Let’s face it: Waikiki doesn’t exactly spring to mind when you think of designer destinations.

Sure, it drew the sophisticated set back in the ’60s, but then came the hoi polloi, the hotels crowding the shore, the tackiness, and its heyday seemed as long gone as your third Mai Tai.

But with more Aussies visiting America’s 50th state than ever before (it’s even Australia’s third most googled destination), plus an influx of new luxury hotels, high-end international fashion labels and a burgeoning food scene, the jetsetters are being tempted back to its golden shores.

So what’s a traveller with a penchant for design hotels, a taste for minimalism and a need for great food to do? Head to The Modern, that’s what.

Living up to its name with the minimalist reception space at The Modern Honolulu. — Living up to its name with the minimalist reception space.

Meet the ‘Hawaiian Hipster’

As it turns out, there is such a thing as a Hawaiian hipster, and they’re all at this sexy, minimalist hotel that keeps the aloha spirit classy. With a vibe that feels very Mad Men-meets-Apple-store, it’s clear from the minute you walk through its doors that The Modern makes style a priority.

The chic resort isn’t your typical Waikiki hotel in many ways, starting with the fact that it’s not actually in Waikiki – it’s about a 15-minute walk from the city’s heart, not that that’s a bad thing. Instead of fronting the Gold Coast-esque strip of hotels that line the sand on Waikiki Beach, the boutique mid-century building fronts the yacht harbour.

The pool, oh the pool!

The Sunset Pool's hammocks are only steps from a tiki-luxe bar. — The Sunset Pool’s hammocks are only steps from a tiki-luxe bar.

We quickly discover that this makes for an intriguing view from the hotel’s rooftop Sunset Pool, as we gaze at tops of sails floating against a Pacific Ocean backdrop with a frozen cocktail mojito in hand.

At first, this adults-only lagoon (think: grown-up très chic paddling pool) surrounded by 100 tonnes of Hawaiian sand is my favourite part of the hotel. After all, there’s a hammock slung between palm trees, sun loungers that straddle the water, an ocean breeze and a tiki-luxe bar. And did I mention the coconut mojitos?

What about the secret bar?!

Behind the bookshelf hides yet another cheeky bar serving craft cocktails.

But I change my mind when we head out for some dinner and it becomes clear that the chic lobby isn’t all that it appears. A bookshelf that lined one wall when we checked in just a couple of hours earlier has been pushed open, Batman-style, to reveal a slick bar that’s only visible after 6pm.

Dinner be damned, because the craft cocktails here are my new favourite thing to do in Hawaii.

When we retire for the evening, though, I decide to stop picking favourites, because our room’s not too shabby either.

The rooms? Not too shabby!

Sure, our ‘Ocean View’ is only visible from the balcony, but the sleek room itself is large, filled with natural light and outfitted in all that is cool and cream. And the casual beach chic – white linen, beige furniture, surf photos – isn’t just a front.

The bed is comfy, the iPad is cued with Hawaiian tunes, the wi-fi is free, and the shower is powerful. Aside from the occasional squeak we hear from the lift shaft next to our room, we’re happy.

The other pool

The Sunrise Pool is a fabulous space for families to splash about at The Modern Honolulu.

The next morning, we decide to check out the other pool – oh yes, there are two.

The Sunrise Pool is the heart of a larger, indoor-outdoor space designed for hanging out in style. The pool sits surrounded by a teak deck (where families and couples lie on loungers), with a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch and a bar that snappily serves up cocktails poolside, if you like that kind of thing, and who doesn’t?

As the sun begins to fade, fairy lights in recycled wine bottles illuminate the potted trees and an acoustic duo begins to play Jack Johnson tunes. But we can’t linger, because we have a date with an Iron Chef.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Dinner date with the Iron Chef

Proving that it’s on-trend in every sense, the Modern is home to a destination restaurant: Morimoto Waikiki, the creation of celebrity (and Iron) chef Masaharu Morimoto. Filled with chic coral fixtures and Lucite tables in which sea moss is suspended, we’re seated in a balmy outdoor area where we’re promptly treated to a glorious fuschia sunset.

Even more delightful is the rainbow display of delicate sushi that appears soon after we sit down.

My husband falls into a silent reverie when the crispy pork gyoza with bacon cream and local tomato sauce hits our table, and then it’s my turn to lose the power of speech when the crispy whole sea bass with papaya salad arrives.

Coupled with Asian-inspired cocktails, it’s the perfect way to bid goodbye to Waikiki and say hello to whole new set of memories.

Details

The Modern Honolulu

1775 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, +1 (808) 450-3396, themodernhonolulu.com

The IT Verdict

Slick and sexy, this is a side of Waikiki you didn’t know existed, but will be glad it does.

Location: 6/10
Away from the main beach and shops.
Style/character: 8/10
Chic and modern, it’s the slickest place to stay in Waikiki.
Service: 8/10
Friendly and helpful.
Rooms: 8.5/10
Large and well appointed, but ocean-view rooms only have that view from the balcony.
Food and drink: 9.5/10
The cocktails in the library bar – mai tais or otherwise – are top notch and Morimoto Waikiki is a destination in itself.
Value for money: 8.5/10
The room cost $465; slightly overpriced for the lack of view.

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.

Review: The Modern Honolulu, Hawaii