Hale Honu

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard the name Hale Honu, I had to look up what it meant (it’s Hawaiian for “turtle house,” which is actually pretty charming). This 3-star spot might not have all the bells and whistles of those massive resort chains, but you know what? Sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

The thing that struck me right away was how the place feels more like staying at someone’s well-appointed home than a typical hotel. The staff actually remembers your name after the first day – I mean, that 8.6 rating doesn’t come from nowhere, right? The rooms have this lived-in comfort that’s hard to fake, with local artwork that looks like someone actually picked it out rather than ordered it from a hotel supply catalog. The beds are surprisingly good for a 3-star place, and honestly, the shower pressure is better than what I have at home (which, let’s face it, isn’t saying much, but still).

What really sets Hale Honu apart is the attention to those little details that most places completely overlook. The ice machine actually works and doesn’t sound like it’s grinding coffee beans at 2 AM. There’s decent lighting by the beds – you can actually read without squinting or using your phone flashlight. The WiFi reaches every corner of the property, including that little courtyard area where you’ll probably end up having your morning coffee. Speaking of which, they serve real coffee, not that watery stuff that tastes like it was made sometime last week. The front desk keeps a stash of phone chargers for different devices, which saved me when I inevitably forgot mine. And here’s something you don’t see much anymore – they have a genuine local recommendations book, not just brochures for tourist traps, but actual handwritten notes about the taco place down the street that closes at 3 PM or which beach has the best sunset views without the crowds. It’s these kinds of touches that make you feel like you’re getting insider knowledge rather than the standard tourist treatment.

Rooms

• Two Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 2 large double beds and 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 6 adults

Reviews

• G from United States (8/10)

  Everything a guest could possibly need was provided.

• Sharon from United States (9/10)

  Excellent

• Michael from United States (6/10)

  Rate was reasonable

• Anonymous from United States (9/10)

• Yumiko from United States (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities