Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts – A Travel Guide to Waikiki, Hawaii
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts made me get closer to the beautiful culture of Hawaii and the amazing attractions of Waikiki.
A trip to Hawaii is incomplete without exploring Waikiki. With the number of hotels and resorts that surround this tourist area, you may find it difficult to choose which one you think is the best for you. That’s why I made this article to give you an insight into my experiences in Waikiki and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts.
Waikiki Travel Guide
When talking about Hawaii, Waikiki is one of the first things people think of, including me! I mean, with its powdery white sand beach, fun & exciting activities, plus the number of stunning hotels around the area, it’s not surprising to see a lot of tourists visiting Waikiki every year! However, are there any other things to do here aside from just swimming and relaxing on the beach? Of course not! Below are the things to do in and near Waikiki in case you’re planning to visit here in the future.
Things To Do In and Near Waikiki, Hawaii
1. Spend a Day at The Waikiki Beach
The famous Waikiki Beach with its unique scenery. Here you can simply lie and sunbathe, frolic in the water, walk along the beach, enjoy the view or learn to surf. Even in the evening, the beach offers beautiful views of the illuminated hotels. No wonder this is a popular beach for everyone visiting Waikiki!
2. Hike the Diamond Head
A must-do! The trail is a bit strenuous (only the lower part is paved, otherwise bumpy and very steep stairs), but you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. Especially the ascent early in the morning to see the sunrise is just mega. It takes about 30-45 minutes.
3. Go Shopping!
One of the most popular things to do in Waikiki– shopping! In Waikiki, specifically Kalakaua Avenue, you’ll find plenty of major and high-end retailers plus a few outdoor stores. Aside from that, you can also visit Ala Moana Center, which is not just a shopping center but also an attraction.
4. Explore Nearby Popular Attractions
- Bishop Museum – If you are a bit interested in history and culture, you should plan at least 2 hours to visit this great museum.
- Iolani Palace – Those who are curious about Hawaiian history should visit the Iolani Palace. The palace has been extensively restored under the supervision of descendants of the royal family. It’s interesting how it showcases Hawaiian traditions.
- Honolulu Museum of Art – The museum is a must for art lovers, and even if you don’t know much about art, the exhibits are impressive and unique. In addition to paintings, there are handicrafts, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, and much more from the Polynesian region and some more than 1000 years old – a selection that you can see in renowned collections such as e.g. B. the British Museum in London or the relevant collections in Frankfurt am Main.
- Waikiki Aquarium – Located on the local outskirts of town, the aquarium is the second oldest aquarium in the US for over 100 years. Since 1919, the ‘Waikiki Aquarium’ has been a heritage site of the University of Hawaii.
5. Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
To be in Honolulu and not visit Pearl Harbor is definitely an incomplete tour. This is history, this is memory, and this must be known of course. The memorial was built in honor of the 1,177 people who died on the battleship Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was built in 1962; on May 5, 1989, the remains of the sunken battleship were declared a national historical monument in the United States. The memorial can only be reached by water, for this reason, a pier is attached to it. If you are in Honolulu and have time, try to visit this museum.
Where To Stay in Waikiki, Hawaii
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts
While in Waikiki, I was lucky enough to have found Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts during my 4 days and 3-night stay!
While I was in Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts, I discovered that it is not only a place to stay, it’s more than just a comfortable and elegant room. From the rooms and amenities to activities and dining experiences, it became one of the highlights of my Waikiki Trip.
Rooms and Amenities
Outrigger has two towers that offer different but stunningly beautiful views.
Ocean Tower Rooms
If you want to wake up in the morning being greeted by Waikiki Beach, then I recommend you book a room from the Ocean Tower Rooms. Since it is located directly facing the famous beach, any type of room you will choose will surely make you feel like you’re one with the island.
Pacific Tower Rooms
The Pacific Tower is taller than the Ocean Tower. Here, you can have a view of Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, and both the ocean and the resort. This is where we had our room – the Ocean View Suite.
Our room, Ocean View Suite gave us the opportunity to have access to their Voyager 47 Club Lounge!
Voyager 47 Club Lounge
With Outrigger’s Voyager Club Lounge, we’re able to enjoy the island’s various tropical flavors and premium drinks. Not only that but an amazing Waikiki Sunset experience with delicious pupu (appetizers) and craft beers is also one of the benefits of having access to the Voyager 47 Club Lounge.
How to Gain Access to Voyager 47 Club Lounge?
Once you book any of these Voyager 47 Club-level rooms, then you’ll automatically have access to the Lounge:
- Club 1 Bedroom Resort View
- Club Oceanfront
- Club Oceanfront Suite
- Club Ocean View Suite
- Club 2 Bedroom Ocean View Suite
- Club 2 Bedroom Oceanfront Suite
- Club 3 Bedroom Oceanfront Suite
- Club 4 Bedroom Oceanfront Suite
Book a room here! All Voyager 47 guests are also given Outrigger goodie bags.
Activities and Experiences in Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts
As I mentioned above, Outrigger is not only a place to stay, it’s an experience! Their activities are one of the things you should look forward to if you will spend your days in Waikiki.
Hawaii is very rich in culture, and you’ll get to engage yourself and take part in their cultural activities while you’re in Outrigger. These include stringing flower leis and learning to play the ukulele!
Do you like Hawaiian music? Great! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the food at Kani Ka Pila Grille while listening to a traditional Hawaiian Music performed by award-winning musicians.
All these amazing cultural activities are possible to do without going out of the resort!
Moreover, if these experiences are not enough for you, then why not book an outdoor activity? this way, you’ll discover more of Hawaii. Outrigger also offers outdoor activities for guests to enjoy– helicopter tours, luau & cruises, snorkeling adventures, and more. Know more about these tours here.
Wait there’s more! Outrigger is not yet finished spoiling guests, recently they opened the A’o Cultural Center in the hotel lobby which brings the guests closer to the rich Hawaiian culture.
A‘o Cultural Center
The new A‘o Cultural Center experience is very intimate. Here, you’ll find a collection of art pieces such as a model outrigger canoe, paddles, conch shells, and traditional feather lei. Furthermore, the Kane Lounge, just next to the A’o Cultural Center, has also been renovated with a new open-concept design and features a unique design by fiber artist Marques Hanalei Marzan. This work of art is called Eia Hawaiʻi, He Moku, He Kānaka (Here is Hawaiʻi, an island, a people), which is a woven map sculpture of the Hawaiian Islands that stretches over the lounge!
More of the A’o Cultural Center story here.
If you wish to fully engage in the culture of Hawaii while having a relaxing yet exciting stay, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resorts will do all the job!
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