Hawaii's Best: Travel Tips and Guides for Your Hawaii Vacation

The Kahala Hotel & Resort: An Honest Review of Our Stay in Oahu’s Hidden Luxury

• Bryan Murphy of Hawaii's Best | Hawaii Travel Tips & Vacation Planning • Episode 162

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Did you ever wonder if Oahu’s most exclusive resort is actually worth the hype? For travelers searching for a peaceful escape from Waikiki’s crowds, finding the right luxury stay can make or break your trip.

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If you’ve ever questioned whether The Kahala Hotel & Resort lives up to its reputation—or if you’re hoping to avoid common surprises that catch guests off guard—this episode is for you. Get the honest details you need to decide if The Kahala is the right fit for your next Oahu getaway.

In this episode, you will:

  • Discover what truly sets The Kahala apart from other luxury resorts on Oahu.
  • Learn about the unique perks and potential drawbacks that could impact your stay.
  • Get practical tips to help you avoid common surprises most guests don’t see coming.

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🤓Chapters:

  • 1:36 - First Impressions and Location
  • 4:26 - Room and Dining Experience
  • 7:29 - Beach, Pool, and Spa Amenities
  • 9:03 - Dolphin Quest and Controversies
  • 11:59 - Nearby Attractions and Recommendations
  • 13:46 - Pros, Cons, and Final Thoughts

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This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

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162_The Kahala Hotel & Resort- An Honest Review of Our Stay in Oahu’s Hidden Luxury


[00:00:00] Introduction to Kahala Hotel & Resort

[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: Ever wonder if one of Oahu's most exclusive resorts is really worth the hype? In this episode, you'll discover what actually sets the Kahala Hotel and resort apart from the rest and the surprising details most guests don't find until after they check in.

[00:00:20] Bryan Murphy: Aloha. Welcome to Hawaii's Best. The podcast helping Travelers Plan an unforgettable Hawaii vacation with insider tips in featuring local voices. I'm Brian Murphy, a husband Data three, and certified Hawaii destination expert. Each week I share local insights, travel tips, and up-to-date news sometimes with guests across Hawaii.

[00:00:40] Bryan Murphy: And sometimes solo all to help you plan your next trip to Hawaii.

[00:00:48] Bryan Murphy: Aloha and welcome to episode 1 62 of Hawaii's Best. Thanks so much for joining me today, and today I'm gonna be sharing an honest review of our stay at the Kahala on Oahu. In this episode, you'll discover what makes Acala feel so different from the busy Waikiki resorts. The little details that surprised us during our stay and why this spot has been a favorite for celebrities and presidents for decades.

[00:01:14] Bryan Murphy: By the end of today's episode, you'll know if the Kaha is the right fit for your next trip, especially if you're looking for a quieter, more relaxed environment on ahu. If you've ever wondered whether the price and reputation match up to reality, you'll have a clear understanding and a few tips to help you make the most out of your stay at the Kahala.

[00:01:36] First Impressions and Location

[00:01:36] Bryan Murphy: Let's talk a little bit about the location and our first impressions of the Kahala. The Kahala is about a 20 minute drive, depending on traffic. It's kind of always the thing on Oahu. You never know, depending on traffic. It's about a 20 minute drive from the Daniel Kanoi Airport, which is the main airport on Oahu, and it's just outside of Waikiki on the other side of Diamond Head.

[00:02:00] Bryan Murphy: You're close enough. To the city for shopping and dining, but far enough to avoid the crowds and noise. The resort sits on a quiet stretch of beach that's rarely ever crowded, and it definitely wasn't when we were there. The sand is soft, the water is calm, and the whole place just feels like honestly a private retreat.

[00:02:20] Bryan Murphy: First impressions are super important and what we would notice first was the open air lobby, the. Lush grounds. It really set a relaxed tone right away for my wife and I. And keep in mind, we didn't take our kids there. This was a spot that just my wife and I went a couple months ago, so there's really this review.

[00:02:43] Bryan Murphy: Is based on kind of a couple's retreat. I did see some families there. We'll get into that a little bit, but honestly, this isn't a spot that we would take our kids to and stay, especially at a younger age. Maybe as they get older, they have, maybe they have their own families. This is the spot we may come back to, but not as a younger family.

[00:03:02] Bryan Murphy: The staff definitely was welcoming. The check-in process was efficient. The atmosphere is peaceful, which is a big contrast to some of the bigger resorts in Honolulu. If you're looking to unwind and enjoy a slower pace. The Kaha is definitely a great choice. The Kaha opened up in 1964 as the Kaha Hilton and quickly became favorite for celebrities and world leaders.

[00:03:29] Bryan Murphy: Every US president, since Lyndon b Johnson has stayed here, and the guest list includes, you know, George Clooney, princess Diana, George Harrison. There's a whole wall of, you know, famous people and signed autographs within the Kahala that you can kind of just look through. I'm honestly not super impressed with celebrities.

[00:03:52] Bryan Murphy: That's just me. So like, yeah, it's cool. You know, George Clooney stayed here, but that's not like a, a driver for me to wanna stay somewhere, but I thought it was cool. The resort has also been a filming location for shows like Hawaii five oh Magnum pi, and most recently the new Live Action Lilo and Stitch movie.

[00:04:12] Bryan Murphy: This is the hotel from the movie. So that connection to pop culture as another layer of the experience, you might even recognize parts of the property from some of the TV shows and movies, which is, which is pretty cool.

[00:04:26] Room and Dining Experience

[00:04:26] Bryan Murphy: The Carala has 338 rooms and 32 suites. Our stay there, we happen to stay in one of the suites, which is incredible, a great view.

[00:04:37] Bryan Murphy: But standard rooms are about 550 square feet, which is. Definitely larger than most of the normal rooms on Oahu Suites go up to 2200 square feet and many rooms have views of the ocean, the mountains, or the dolphin lagoon, which we'll talk about in a little bit. And each one has its own private lanai or, or balcony.

[00:05:00] Bryan Murphy: You know, one thing that stands out. Is really the lack of a resort fee. That's rare for a luxury hotel in Hawaii. You still get all the amenities like free wifi and twice daily housekeeping, which is something my wife and I, we weren't used to like having someone clean pick up and clean the room twice a day, which is pretty cool.

[00:05:23] Bryan Murphy: But you get all this without a hit of an extra charge at checkout, and I get that the prices are more than most resorts and hotels on the island during our stay. The room was spotless, it was comfortable, great bed, spacious bathroom. We had really no complaints in our room. It, it was just, it was great being that you are a little bit ways out of Waikiki and a lot of the shopping and a lot of the dining there.

[00:05:49] Bryan Murphy: The call, it has some great options as far as dining hokus. Probably the most upscale spot on property known for is ocean views and menus that focus on local ingredients. So if you're looking for a special night out. This is definitely in a place. Reservations are a good idea, especially for ocean view tables for breakfast, the Plumeria beach house is a go-to.

[00:06:11] Bryan Murphy: We ate here every morning. The buffet is popular with fresh fruit, Hawaiian specialties. We love the omelet bar. Wish I would've gotten the guy's name who made our almonds every day, but shout out to him and. Some of the best als, you know, were in Hawaii, that they're just gonna taste better, and all the usual breakfast staples are available at this buffet.

[00:06:31] Bryan Murphy: The setting is relaxed and you get to sit outside with a view of the ocean and just a great start of your day. If you're in the mood for Italian, there's a great Italian restaurant on property called R Encino. You got pizza salad. The Seaside grill is another option. It's a poolside option that has a simple menu, convenient if you're out by the water.

[00:06:53] Bryan Murphy: Nothing too special. The Veranda is a nice place for cocktails, light bites at sunset, and live music and sushi rolls. Now while onsite dining is solid, it's worth exploring some local restaurants off property for a change of pace. Kahala Mall and Whole Foods are about a 20 minute walk away. We didn't. Do the walk.

[00:07:13] Bryan Murphy: We actually drove there, so it's about, you know, five to seven minute drive and Waikiki is close if you want a little bit more variety, but pay attention to traffic and know that it is probably at least a, a 30 minute drive. Some days I. Alright.

[00:07:29] Beach, Pool, and Spa Amenities

[00:07:29] Bryan Murphy: A little bit about the beach, the pool amenities at the Kahala.

[00:07:33] Bryan Murphy: The beach is one of the standout features. Honestly, it feels like a private beach soft white sand. It's calm, it's shallow. There's a reef that's perfect for families and couples. You know, even during peak times it never felt crowded. There are plenty of loungers and umbrellas and the beach is clean. It's well maintained.

[00:07:53] Bryan Murphy: Paddle boards and kayaks are available for rent, though rentals are depend on the weather. The pool area, honestly, is basic compared to other luxury resorts on Oahu. It's a small, oval shaped pool that can get pretty crowded, especially in the afternoons. There aren't any water slides or fancy features, so if you're looking for a bit of a bigger resort pool experience, this might fall short.

[00:08:21] Bryan Murphy: Most guests seem to prefer spending. Time at the beach. Our girls probably wouldn't like this spot because they like the pool, they like the slides and, and all that stuff. But this spa at the Kahala is incredible. With a full menu of Hawaiian inspired treatments, you can book a private suite or even an oceanfront cabana.

[00:08:41] Bryan Murphy: The fitness center is also open 24 hours and daily fitness classes are available for a fee, not free for a fee. So keep mindful of that though. The Kahala, as you can tell. Is an incredible place. There are some controversies and things I want to talk about. Some of them I knew going into our stay here and I wanna talk about some of the unique features as well.

[00:09:03] Dolphin Quest and Controversies

[00:09:03] Bryan Murphy: One of the most unique features is the Dolphin Quest Lagoon. The resort is home to a small group of Atlantic bottle nose dolphins. And guests can book interactive experiences. For many families, this can be a big draw. The educational programs are designed to teach guests about marine life and conservation.

[00:09:23] Bryan Murphy: But that said, the Dolphin Program is also the resort's most controversial feature. There are ongoing concerns from animal welfare groups about keeping dolphins in captivity, especially in a manmade lagoon. Some guests find the experience incredible, life-changing, magical while others feel uncomfortable seeing these animals outside of their natural environment.

[00:09:48] Bryan Murphy: If you're considering a dolphin encounter, I recommend doing your own research and deciding what feels right for you and your family. For me, personally, yeah, it was cool seeing dolphins swim and and jump, but honestly, I wouldn't miss them if they were released and. The program phased out because it has become more of a controversy for the hotel, which is a bummer because it's such a great spot that I think there's other uses they can maybe do with that area.

[00:10:18] Bryan Murphy: But that's just me. I will admit. It was cool seeing the dolphins. But I wouldn't miss them if they can have a better life outside in their natural environment. One thing that did surprise me though is that the daily rate for parking, so you're gonna wanna factor that in The current daily rate for parking at the kaha is, let me look it up real quick.

[00:10:42] Bryan Murphy: So that was some real time research I want to give you guys because the rates can change. I feel like we paid around 40 something. The current rate for both valet and self parking is $55. Honestly, I don't like valet parking. I like just being able to go out to the parking garage and leaving. I don't like waiting.

[00:11:00] Bryan Murphy: I don't mind the walk. I don't really need my car brought to me. But it's good to know that it's the same rate. But obviously you're gonna want to tip if you're gonna valet. That's usually customary. If you're staying in Waikiki and you want to just go check out the Kahala, maybe go get a bite to eat at the kaha, you get four hours free complimentary parking with a minimum purchase of $50.

[00:11:24] Bryan Murphy: So that's, you know, you're gonna spend that at at dinner anyhow, so if you want to go out to the KA for dinner, and I feel like we did see a lot of people drive in the, the. Evenings were definitely packed. And then, you know, morning or even midday, it was like crickets in the parking lot. Maybe people are going out and and doing their excursions and stuff, but it felt like around dinner time it got really busy and then it cleared out.

[00:11:50] Bryan Murphy: But just to reiterate, it's $55 per day for parking, so you're gonna wanna factor that in as well. Alright, so let's talk a little bit more about what's nearby.

[00:11:59] Nearby Attractions and Recommendations

[00:11:59] Bryan Murphy: There's plenty to do ride on property from water sports to the spa, cultural programs, or just relaxing at the beach. But if you wanna explore more, Han Bay is just a short drive, which is great, and it's one of the best places on Oahu for snorkeling.

[00:12:15] Bryan Murphy: And you do need to make a reservation ahead of time for Hama Bay. For hiking. Diamondhead and Cocoa Head are both close by. Diamondhead is a classic with great view at the top. You wanna do that early in the morning, really? Any hike you want to, you want to go early as possible. While cocoa head is more of a workout and it's not for the faint and heart for sure.

[00:12:35] Bryan Murphy: Some people are like, yeah, it's no big deal. It's, you know, I could just walk up. For those who haven't done a lot of incline training or hiking. It is a big deal. So there you go. You can choose between those or have Kahala be a springboard up to the North Shore going on the East Drive, which is an incredible drive.

[00:12:54] Bryan Murphy: Wyman Beach, Lon Kai, Kai, Louistown, all those spots you keep going on up and you go to LE or visit the Polynesian Culture Center, KLO or ranch. So you're close by to a lot of those things and you don't have to fight. Honolulu traffic, which makes Kahala a great spot. One place I definitely wanna recommend is B Side Kitchen.

[00:13:19] Bryan Murphy: If you've been listening to the podcast, we actually had the owner of B Side on the podcast and we wanted to hear more about their story. It's a local. Family business and it's a great spot, not just to connect with locals, but it's a great spot to eat. My wife and I, we ate there at least twice during our stay.

[00:13:39] Bryan Murphy: Definitely check them out and also check out our podcast interview with the owner. I'll link that below in the show notes.

[00:13:46] Pros, Cons, and Final Thoughts

[00:13:46] Bryan Murphy: Alright, so let's wrap up with some pros and cons and who I think the Kahala is really best for. The location is tranquil. It feels exclusive, which is rare on Oahu. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the service from the staff is incredible.

[00:14:02] Bryan Murphy: The beach is beautiful and quiet. Definitely one of the best features of the property. And the fact that there's no resort fee is a definitely a bonus. On the flip side, the pool is small and pretty basic. The Dolphin Lagoon is a unique feature, but it's also a point of controversy. Some guests love it while others are uncomfortable with the idea of dolphins in captivity.

[00:14:25] Bryan Murphy: There's also the daily parking fee, which is pretty high, and while the location is peaceful, it's not really walkable to a lot of other off property attractions. So you'll need a plan ahead for rides. You run a car if you wanna experience more of the island. So who is the kaha at best for? I'd say it's ideal for couples.

[00:14:44] Bryan Murphy: That's what our experience was. Also, maybe for older families who want a peaceful luxury experience and want to avoid the crowds and noise of Waikiki. If you're looking for a lively pool scene or you want to be, you know that nightlife. Lots of restaurants, you might be happier somewhere else, probably Waikiki.

[00:15:04] Bryan Murphy: But overall, the Kaha delivers on its promise of a relaxing high end stay with a lot of thoughtful touches. If you value privacy, comfort, and great service, it's a solid choice for your next trip to ahu. So if you found this episode helpful, I really appreciate it if you would hit follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

[00:15:25] Bryan Murphy: That way you never miss an upcoming episode and it helps more people find the show. Thanks again for spending some time with me today, and I always enjoy sharing these honest reviews and tips with you. And until next time, as always, live with. Aloha

[00:15:44] Bryan Murphy: Mala for listening to this episode of Hawaii's. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii's Best is a production of shore break media group with editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends stick figure.


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