I follow a Facebook group dedicated to students of the University of Hawaii, Manoa.  Our son has been a civil engineering student on the island of Oahu for the past 4 years.  We were planning our trip for February, 2022 and there were a lot of suggestions posted in the group, one was for the Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club in Waikiki.  We weren’t familiar with it, despite traveling to Oahu a half dozen times over the past decade. I decided to take a tour through the website and I thought it looked like a fun spot with spacious rooms and lots of amenities.  I booked it, and upon arrival, everything we’d hoped it would be was in fact true.

Once you pull up to the hotel on Lewers Street and begin unloading your bags, you walk up to reception and you will see the pool right behind it.  The famous pool with the words, “Wish You Were Here!” painted on the bottom is as cool looking as it is in the website photos! Have you camera ready, there are many angles you’ll need to shoot for that perfect Instagram-worthy shot!  The vintage vibe is all around with the color scheme, the furniture style, art and the staff with their friendly aloha.  Walking around I saw people with their pups- it’s a dog-friendly hotel, families splashing in the pool, and couples enjoying food from onsite Mahina & Suns restaurant in their casual cabanas.  I say casual because there is no need to reserve a cabana, there’s no waiting list, and no need to dress to impress while you enjoy one.  They’re first come first serve, people don’t overstay their welcome, and they felt more like a big ohana area to enjoy the poolside nightly music and socialize.

The rooms are spacious, we got a one bedroom suite which also had a pull out bed in the living room. There is a lanai that is the length of the bedroom and living space with a table and chairs set to enjoy the warm nights.  

A bar area has a fridge for your drinks or leftovers, and there is plenty of space for luggage and clothing. The shower has stone flooring that makes you feel like you’re bathing in a waterfall, which is just so Hawaii!

Free coffee is available near the restaurant each morning if you’re a basic black coffee drinker like me.  Stop by and fill up your Hydroflask at the water station and before you grab a hotel provided beach chair, lather up with reef safe sunscreen provided pump-style by the pool.

Happy hour is a given when you’re vacationing in Hawaii and the cocktails from Mahina & Suns can’t be beat.  Local flavors plus traditional spirits will put you in the mood just before the amazing cuisine is served. The Hanalei Moon was my favorite! Whether you prefer the oxtail risotto or a margherita pizza, all tastebuds are hit with the amazing menu.  I recommend the hand cut pasta and my husband the pork chop, it’s far from a simple meal, it’s art on a plate!  Did I mention the drink happy hour begins at 8am?  It’s Hawaii, indulge!

My 16-year old loved to steal quiet moments by the pool, also was inspired by the art to watercolor in the comfortable lobby, this hotel really makes you feel at home.

The amenities abound with free parking (just a few blocks away at the Hyatt Centric), no extra fees, adults only swim hours, monthly activities, and so many more!  Locals have perks at Surfjack, as well as those in the Military.  We met a family at the pool who were renting a room while their space at the base was being prepared, Surfjack loves their Kamaaina!

Banks Journal is a coffee bar and surf shop just opposite the lobby had our daughter trying different morning drinks each day of our trip. It was convenient to grab a tea to go when we headed out for the day, no extra searching for that chain coffee.

Honestly, what more could we need?  The Surfjack is a short walk to shopping, dining, the beach, and the ABC shops for those last minute needs.  It was so memorable I still share our experience with the new parents and travelers on the UH Manoa Facebook group.  As we close a chapter in our book of memories, our son is proudly graduating from the university in May and we have already booked our stay at the Surfjack!  We’re eager to stay at such a wonderful spot again, at what may be our last visit to Oahu!

We paid for our stay, views are 100% our own.

Planning a family vacation to Hawaii starts with where you’ll rest your head.  No matter how many activities you have planned, a comfortable and enjoyable home base is necessary to regroup after a busy day.  Even if you’re whole trip is to unwind and just sit by the pool, where you stay is key!  Having been to six Hawaiian islands (some twice) and stayed in so many different style accommodations, you just can’t go wrong whether you choose a resort, a condo, or even share a home with friends or family.  On our recent trip to Oahu, we chose the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk for 4 main reasons:  spacious suites, daily breakfast, nightly poolside receptions, and location.

Spacious Suites

It helps when you’ve stayed in a hotel chain in the past and loved it.  Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk is just like it’s counterparts and is consistently ranked in top 10 of 84 Honolulu hotels by Trip Advisor.   We have stayed as a family of 5 in these hotels in the past, and since we traveled as a threesome this time we knew we’d have plenty of extra space.  Arriving we were greeted with a friendly and knowledgeable staff that really had to decipher our unique reservation (part compensated stay/part media rate) all while we sipped on these delicious non-alcoholic welcome drinks.Up to the 11th floor we went.  Though we had a partial ocean view suite, but just one room away, a public balcony and this view greeted us.  The colors of the sky and ocean were incredible, plus the view of the hotel pool below was inviting!Entering our one bedroom suite, we were pleased by the openness expected.  In the bedroom you find two queen sized beds small desk with lamp and mirror, a large HD flatscreen television and closet.  I love that it has it’s own doors to the balcony as well. Staying for 8 days, I wanted to immediately feel at home, so I unpacked my clothes into the drawers and the closet and tucked my suitcase out of sight.  The living room area is open to the adjacent wet bar (refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot & hot pot) and held a table and chairs, sofa sleeper and chair, with another HD flatscreen.  The living room also has access to the long balcony. Wifi is included, works very well in all areas of the room, and a daily newspaper greets you each morning at your front door!

The view from the balcony was epic! Because we only brought one of our three children, my son had the choice of a bed in our room or the sofa sleeper.  He chose the latter and it worked out that we both had much more privacy.  The large bathroom also has a door from each room for added privacy and convenience.  The only thing we needed to do was remember to leave the doors unlocked because locking both can easily become an issue.  Luckily we figured out an easy system.  Our towels were replenished each day and we always had fresh pool/beach towels as well, remember to bring the striped towels back to the room to make sure you get them replaced!  Each room had individually operated air conditioning units which was also really helpful since I tend to sleep under warmer temperatures.

Full Cooked-To-Order Breakfast

Complimentary with your stay, guests of Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk enjoy a full cooked-to-order breakfast each morning!  This is a rarity in Hawaii hotels, so really consider how much money you can save on your family vacation!  If you enjoy eggs, they are prepared to order with choose-your-own-ingredients and there is a huge breakfast bar featuring a variety of foods, including local favorites, some you’ll find on rotation through the week. Half of our vacation had my son playing in a baseball tournament and a hearty breakfast was necessary to get his day started right.  Just look at what was available to us. A full beverage station with teas, coffee, juices (POG!), sodas, and water were also available.  Among the meats, much to my husband’s happiness, Portuguese sausage was alternated two times in the 8 days we dined.  He’d prefer daily…  Also a few other items not pictured was more fruit (apples, cantelope, pineapple, honeydew, strawberries) and breads and English muffins near the toaster.  With tons of seating and a large window for breakfast, this really makes the hotel a unique one in the Waikiki area!

Poolside Reception

Vacation is about getting away and relaxing and we absolutely loved the idea of the evening poolside reception complete with complimentary beverages and snacks.  This is definitely something we’ve enjoyed at other Embassy Suites properties and it’s really a winner.  You can’t beat the back drop of the lovely pool, grand lanai, and a few days a week you’ll find free entertainment including dancing! 

What you’re really getting is a free two hour party each night.  The whole family can partake, but my son took this time to take a break from the parents and we got a little date each night.  We’d take some snacks back to the room for him.  Veggies and crackers and dip and nachos were offered.  Carrots, celery, and broccoli/cauliflower were alternated throughout the week.  Cocktails, tropical drinks, wine, beer, well drinks, and of course non-alcoholic options are available.  Again, getting free evening cocktails is a great way to start any night.  Pricing them out at restaurants and bars down in Waikiki will easily cost you $10-15 each so it’s really saving money on your vacation!

Location

I’d mentioned earlier we were on this trip mainly for my son’s baseball tournament.  A percentage of the team pooled their money together and rented a home in North Shore.  During our stay we’d visited that spot and the families a few times.  Their home overlooked the ocean, was beautiful, and was a great space for them, we preferred our spot.  It was great to be in the excitement of downtown in Honolulu.  There were a few times we needed to run to a drugstore for some forgotten items and that was just a few shops down from the hotel.  There were countless restaurants within walking distance, although we ended up dining at the Yard House just outside the lobby about 4 times!  Shopping on Waikiki Beach Walk is incredible on nearby Kalakaua Avenue. Just down on the lawn you’ll find musicians and often just a place to sit and people watch.  A food truck area is just across from the valet area with great food at great prices!

Of course the ultimate reason for this location, is the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk is just steps from the beach!  Evening strolls, morning walks, and afternoon fun was absorbed with every spare minute we had away from the baseball field.  One day we spent the afternoon renting stand up paddle boards and tried something new.

Our trip was fabulous, our stay was lovely, it was hard to leave.  Icing on the cake was that our 15 and under level travel baseball players won the tournament!  I almost forgot to add that the hotel has a 24-hour laundry room that was a lifesaver.  When that red dirt gets on uniforms it’s tough to get out and I used the facility a handful of times throughout our stay.  You’ll be happy to know that the washers and dryers take CREDIT CARDS! Yes!Book your next stay in Oahu at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, you will not be disappointed!  Visit, http://www.embassysuiteswaikiki.com/ to make your reservations!