Editor’s note: The Renaissance Honolulu Hotel and Spa provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay to get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
There’s an exciting new entry into the crowded Honolulu hotel market , and it’s the first newly built hotel in Waikiki in 25 years. As TPG reported earlier this year, the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa opened in February, and I can confirm that it still has that signature new-hotel smell.
A recent trip to cover the inaugural flight of Hawaiian Airlines’ new Boeing Dreamliner was the perfect opportunity to visit this new property, which made it onto TPG’s list of the most exciting hotel openings of 2024 . After a few nights at the hotel, I can happily recommend it. And the best part is, it is bookable with points as it’s part of the Marriott Bonvoy program .
Even though the hotel is brand-new, there were no service hiccups, and the restaurants and other amenities were on point.
Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa to decide whether it’s right for your next trip to Hawaii .
What is the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa?
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The Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is a 39-floor new hotel and residence project developed by JL Capital and managed by Highgate, a hospitality and real estate company with several hotels under its growing umbrella.
There are 187 rooms and suites and another 112 residences with studio and one- and two-bedroom spaces. Unlike at similar projects, you can book the residences just like you would a hotel room, though each unit on the residence side of the hotel is privately owned.
Residences feature fully equipped kitchens with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, as well as washers and dryers in every unit.
How to book the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
When booking the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays , and possibly one that offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card : Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card : Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card : Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card : Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card : Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card : Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you have select American Express credit cards , you can also book this hotel via the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program. By making your reservation through this program, you’ll receive a room upgrade (subject to availability), plus a $100 stay credit. Nightly rates start around $281 or 35,000 American Express Membership Rewards points per night.
Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi
The location is prime for shopping and sightseeing, though a bit far from beaches
The hotel is in a part of Honolulu that might be new to some travelers; the Ala Moana neighborhood is growing by leaps and bounds, but there aren’t many other high-end hotels nearby yet. (The only other hotels in this neighborhood are the Pagoda Hotel and the Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra.)
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The enormous Ala Moana Center mall is right across the street from the Renaissance, with access to major department stores, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. There are also dozens of fashion retailers with names most will recognize, like Gucci, Prada and Chanel.
Location of the Renaissance Honolulu in the Ala Moana neighborhood. GOOGLE MAPS
The Honolulu Museum of Art is just over a mile from the hotel. It’s about 2 miles from the historic Chinatown. A free shuttle will take you to Waikiki, the traditional tourist hotel zone where you’ll find the famous Honolulu beaches and lots of activities.
The great part about making the Renaissance Honolulu your home base is that it’s just 7 miles and 15-20 minutes by car from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Depending on the time of day, services like Uber and Lyft will cost between $30 and $40 to get from the airport to the hotel.
There’s also a free shuttle service that runs every hour from the hotel from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. The shuttle has three stops:
Ala Moana Center
Magic Island (where there are fireworks on Friday nights)
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach (in the heart of Waikiki)
Checking in
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As guests check in to the hotel, they are welcomed into a sweeping, well-lit lobby full of fresh greenery with the Discovery Center as a prominent feature. There, you’ll find hotel “navigators” ready to help you with bookings or activities in Hawaii.
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Guests checking in during the evening hours are offered a complimentary beverage from a cute little food truck set up in the lobby not far from the main Mara restaurant.
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Throughout the lobby area, guests will find local art and handcrafted wood furniture, along with comfy modern couches. It’s an inviting space to sit and take a break.
Related: How to get to Hawaii on points and miles
Rooms are modern, light and airy
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I was fortunate enough to get upgraded to one of the enormous residences at the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa.
The hotel has several room categories: City View, Partial Ocean View, Ocean View, Premier Ocean View, Mountain View Suite Residence and Premier Ocean View Suite Residence.
I stayed in one of the corner one-bedroom residential-style suites on the top floor. My room had everything you’d expect to find in a standard room, plus a fully equipped kitchen with a Sub-Zero full-size fridge and Wolf appliances, including a dishwasher, a microwave and a full oven. This kitchen space was fabulous, especially for those staying for more than a few days. There was a large living area as well, with a comfortable, tasteful sofa that had some cheerful orange throw pillows and a small white coffee table.
Due to its spaciousness, this would be the perfect place for a family traveling together. There was even a nice sleeper sofa that converted to a full sofa bed, which would be ideal for a future trip if I return with my nieces or nephews.
My suite also had a Nespresso coffee machine, and the pods were refreshed regularly. All the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa rooms have Nespresso machines and tea kettles.
The kitchens are fully stocked with all of the equipment you need to prepare your meals. This could be a great option to reduce food expenses on a family trip to Honolulu.
My room was filled with modern art from local artists and had floor-to-ceiling views of the nearby buildings and glimpses of the ocean.
The separate bedroom had plush white linens, several lamps and a wooden desk with a comfy office chair that helped me stay productive during my two-day visit.
Outlets were plentiful, as you’d expect in new construction. There were USB and standard outlets on both sides of the bed and a charging station built into the desk, which I found super helpful.
The large closet had a safe, plenty of hangers and two plush robes by linen maker Kassatex New York.
The spacious bathroom had a Toto bidet-style toilet, a large soaking tub and a separate shower with a regular showerhead and a wand.
There were also Aveda amenities, including lotion, hand soap and large dispensers in the shower.
While I didn’t get to use it, the tub sure looked inviting.
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There is also laundry service at Renaissance Honolulu. Dry cleaning is available Monday through Friday, though prices are as high as you’d expect. You’ll pay $30 to have a suit cleaned, $14 for a shirt and $27.90 for a dress. One of the great amenities the hotel residences offer, though, is on-site laundry. Each of the residences has a Bosch washer-and-dryer combo.
Even if you aren’t staying in a residence, though, there is an on-site coin-operated laundromat on the eighth floor near the gym where you can do your own laundry. It’s a great setup if you are there for a longer stay (or if you have kids that go through clothes quickly).
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Related: Marriott Bonvoy: The ultimate guide for travelers
I was able to see some of the standard rooms at the hotel during my visit as well. All the rooms have the same modern, tropical style with clean lines that my residence featured.
All rooms also have either a full kitchen or a kitchenette with a minifridge.
All of the rooms felt tasteful and stylish — and the best part, of course, is that they’re all brand-new. Given that some of the hotels in Honolulu can look quite dated and shopworn, this is a refreshing alternative.
The restaurants at Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
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I really enjoyed the food and beverage offerings at Renaissance Honolulu Resort & Spa. While there weren’t a ton of options, there was plenty to keep me full and happy for a few days and nights.
Mara
Mara at Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Mara and the Mara Bar & Lounge are the Renaissance Hotel & Spa’s Mediterranean dining spots just off the lobby.
The restaurant also has a street entrance in front of the hotel and some outdoor dining tables.
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There is a happy hour the hotel calls “pau hana” with drinks and light bites from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the week.
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The restaurant is one of Honolulu’s hottest reservations. It was packed at night and I’m told guests should make reservations for the restaurant ahead of time.
This is a stylish gathering place with colorful works from local artists on the walls and a young, hip crowd.
The food, scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine made with Hawaii’s freshest local ingredients, was truly delicious. I tried several dishes, including hummus ($14), tzatziki ($16) and bocconcino burrata ($21) as appetizers. I had an 8-ounce filet mignon for my main course; it was cooked just as I requested and tasted delicious, which I appreciated given the $56 price tag. Service was impeccable, and I left dinner very full and very satisfied.
Here’s a look at the innovative menu at Mara.
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I definitely recommend eating at least one meal here.
Lamill Coffee
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You’ll find a lobby-level store for the Los Angeles-based coffee company Lamill Coffee. It’s the roaster’s first location in Hawaii. It serves delicious coffee and pastries along with prepared salads. There’s no shortage of locally sourced treats there, too.
Sway
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Sway is the poolside restaurant at Renaissance Honolulu Resort & Spa and is open daily until 10 p.m.
The first night, I had a quick dinner at the bar. Bartenders Kekoa and Joji were friendly and fun, making the experience even more enjoyable. I ordered a grilled chicken club sandwich that was served with bacon, tomato aioli and little gem lettuce and came with fries for $20. You’ll also find cocktails here, like the Sky Dive with rum, coconut and lime for $16, or Sailor’s Delight with Bacardi Superior rum, cherry juice, pineapple cordial and pomegranate lime grenadine for $16.
Coral Club Lounge
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The Coral Club Lounge on the 15th floor is where Marriott Bonvoy elite members (or those who pay for club-access rooms) get their breakfast.
In the evenings, beer and wine are available for purchase. Evening hors d’oeuvres are available, but no dessert is offered. It’s a warm space with stunning views of the nearby high-rises and even peeks at the ocean.
Breakfast is served buffet-style from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with standard breakfast food that is satisfying, though not too exciting.
