Review: Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk

Donald Trump is not known for his subtlety but this stylish hotel bearing his name is an exception, offering five-star luxury that does not require The Donald’s bank balance to enjoy.

Hawaii’s family-friendly, fun in the sun reputation has endowed the landscape of Waikiki with infinite choices when it comes to four-star hotels with palm tree festooned interiors and behemoth pools jam-packed with holiday makers.

But when it comes to five-star options suitable for families, the choices are much less abundant, which is what makes Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk such a lure: a streamlined 38-storey glass tower just moments walk to the beach (as the name suggests), it is an imposing yet stylish proposition.

We chose to stay here not because of its looks, but because of what it offered to a family with a pool-loving pre-teen and a luxury-loving husband.

The arrival

Arriving at the property through the bustling foyer, check-in takes place in the much more subdued and airy lobby located on the sixth floor.

It is here you will find the lobby café off to the right, the infinity pool to your left and an expansive open-air terrace (or lanai in local parlance) that is the perfect spot to take up residence for drinks at dusk.

With check-in quickly taken care of, we were delivered to our studio room on the 15th floor.

Our room

Five-star luxury inside a one-bedroom ocean view suite at Trump International Hotel Waikiki

It is spacious and stylish, all muted tones on the soft furnishings and ample dark wood, and boasts a generous sitting area, relaxing balcony, a gorgeously appointed marble swathed bathroom that seemed to go on forever, and a fully stocked kitchen (microwave, cooktop, fridge, pots, pans and enough utensils to prepare a four-course meal).

And that’s a real plus when travelling with kids as it means you don’t have to constantly go in search of your three meals a day – not to mention the endless snacks required to fuel little people in hot weather – and provides good food dining options when the cheeseburgers and teppanyaki that proliferate Waikiki wear thin. (Take a trip to the totally brilliant Whole Foods Market in the residential neighbourhood of Kahala to stock up on fresh, healthy and organic ingredients.)

Obviously inclusions such as this make the Trump Waikiki a very popular choice for families, and the hotel celebrates this fact rather than resenting it. At turn down on our first night in residence, a veritable sweet treat feast was left out for our daughter – cake pops and a box of Honolulu Cookie Company biscuits.

Any mishaps, instantly amended

Having arrived on foot from our previous hotel just across the road, we missed out on receiving a welcome shell lei, a fact that was noted and amended the next day. And a quick phone call to reception resulted in a pint-sized bathrobe being promptly delivered to our room.

Trump Waikiki infinity pool — To infinity and beyond – take a sunset dip in the pool

Extras? They’ve got ’em!

There is also video game players delivered to your room by the dedicated personal attaché, and fully stocked beach bags (towels, water, sunscreen…) for those venturing to the white sands located a short walk through parkland.

Of course, the facilities and service afforded to young and old alike are, as might be expected given the name, impressive.

The hotel staff is warm and engaging whether delivering room service to your door or passing by in the lift.

What we loved

The WAI`OLU Lounge, located off the lobby serves food all day and cocktails in the evening, while BLT at ground level is dark and brooding, serving a surf and turf menu.

The Spa at Trump has its own branded treatments; and the infinity pool is simply sublime, offering uninterrupted views out to the ocean as the sun melts into the horizon every evening (seriously, slip your camera into the pocket of your bathrobe before heading down for a late afternoon dip because you do not want to miss capturing this ultimate holiday happy snap for posterity).

WAI'OLU Lounge at Trump International Hotel Waikiki — The WAI’OLU Lounge makes some colourful cocktails

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What we’d change

And the drawbacks? I actually can’t think of any off the top of my head. Maybe I should mention that the second cupboard in our room could have done with better lighting inside, but really, that’s not a deal breaker in the overall scheme of things.

Or that the lifts were sometimes a little bit slow arriving; a result of the property being so popular due to all that great service and those thoughtful inclusions, no doubt.

No, all in all the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk is a pretty fabulous experience, a worthy five-star property that doesn’t require a multi (multi) millionaire’s bank balance to enjoy.

DETAILS

Trump International Hotel
Waikiki Beach Walk, 223 Saratoga Road, Honolulu, USA

The IT Verdict
“The Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk is the perfect option for families who like their little luxuries."

Costs
From $499 per night for a studio and $790 per night for a one-bedroom suite.

Words by Leigh-Ann Pow.

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.