Waikiki Beach Services at Sheraton Waikiki

Guests of the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort have access to the Helumoa Playground.  With two fresh water swimming pools, including a 70-foot long water slide, a mini slide, two whirlpools, and a fountain area, the Helumoa Playground offers guests of both the Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki hours and hours of fun (we should know, since our family spent hours and hours there the last time we staycationed at Sheraton Waikiki)!  My kids were ecstatic with this news during our recent staycation at the Royal Hawaiian, since they absolutely loved the Helumoa Playground, and all they could talk about was the water slide!

It was an absolutely gorgeous day when we headed to the Helumoa Playground.

And that meant lots of sunshine.

Fortunately, we had a reservation for two Helumoa Mini Cabanas via Waikiki Beach Services.

Waikiki Beach Services

A Waikiki Beach Services employee escorted us to our mini cabanas, laid out towels on the cushions, and I was ready to relax while the kids played in the pool and went on the water slide.

But the kids wanted to test out the cabanas first...

The boys needed to test out the lounge chairs

Before long I was relaxing in the cabana on a cushioned, comfortable lounge chair

My view as I relaxed on the lounge chair beneath the cabana

It was very relaxing in the mini cabana.  I actually dozed off a couple of times while my husband and kids played in the pool.

There are several mini cabanas, as well as water loungers and luxury cabanas, available for rent around the Helumoa Playground.

Lots of mini cabanas and water loungers

Luxury cabanas offer a great view of Diamond Head

In addition to cabana rentals, Waikiki Beach Services offers surf lessons, outrigger canoe rides, surfboard rentals, and more (servicing guests of both Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki, as well as non-guests who are simply interested in participating in fun activities at Waikiki Beach).

My view almost the entire day!

I'm so glad we had the use of the Helumoa Mini Cabanas.  The loungers were so comfy, and the shade helped to shield us from the blazing sun.

I highly recommend making a reservation in advance if you plan on visiting the Helumoa Mini Cabanas, especially on a weekend, because they were in high demand on the day we visited!

Waikiki Beach Services

Sheraton Waikiki
2259 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 388-1510

Mahalo to Waikiki Beach Services / Starwood Hawaii for hosting our cabana rentals..

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A Dreamy Staycation at Sheraton Waikiki

I'd often dream that I could wake up to a view like this every morning - blue ocean, pink-tinged sky, crashing waves... 

Beautiful ocean view from the Sheraton Waikiki!

And for a weekend, my dream did come true while staycationing with my family at Sheraton Waikiki as my husband and I celebrated our anniversary.

With over 1600 rooms, Diamond Head and Ocean Front Views, acclaimed dining, and a superpool, the Sheraton Waikiki attracts visitors from all over the world - families, honeymooners, business people, kama`aina.

Although I've been to the Sheraton Waikiki for events and to dine, this would be my first time staying at this popular hotel.

After a pleasant check-in with Stacie at the front desk, we went up to the 28th floor to our 1 King + 1 Double Deluxe Oceanfront Room.

The spacious room had a work desk, television (that I thought seemed a bit too small for the room), chair and ottoman, side table, refrigerator, and a bathroom with shutters that opened up into the room.

The decor was clean and crisp, and the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds provided our family with two nights of blissful sleep.

1 Double + 1 King Bed

Shutters opened up to the bathroom

Desk, TV, Ottoman

Vanity

The lanai gave us sweeping views of the ocean, as well as the Infinity Edge Pool right below.

Relaxing on the lanai as ships sail by

View of the Infinity Edge Pool

The views surrounding the Sheraton Waikiki are just as beautiful.

Waikiki Beach

Diamond Head

The highlight of our staycation at the Sheraton Waikiki was the Helumoa Playground.

The Helumoa Playground is the best pool we've been to in Waikiki.  With two fresh water swimming pools, including a 70-foot long water slide, a mini slide, two whirlpools, and a fountain area, the Helumoa Playground offers guests hours and hours of fun (we would know, since our family spent hours and hours there)!

The kids loved the fountains!

The water slide was so much fun!

It can be difficult to find a chaise lounge around the perimeter of the pool simply because the pool is so popular, so get there early if you want to sit near the pool, or you can rent one of several cabanas or water chaise loungers.

There are two nightly Helumoa Light Shows that take place at the pools, but unfortunately we were unable to watch them, as we were told parts got damaged during a recent storm.

The beautiful adults-only Infinity Edge Pool was usually crowded during pool hours (8am-8pm), but was simply stunning all times of the day.

Lots of guests soaking up the sun

Infinity Edge Pool

In addition to the fabulous pools, Sheraton Waikiki is also home to fantastic dining options (you can read my reviews for Kai Market, RumFire, and Hapas Pizza), as well as a great selection of shops.

The location is ideal as well, as the hotel is within walking distance to the Royal Hawaiian Center and numerous other dining and shopping options.

There is no denying that the Sheraton Waikiki is one of the top hotels in Waikiki, as demonstrated by the 12 elevators that were constantly in use with guests coming and going to the pools, restaurants, beach, and shops.

But despite the busyness, you can still find spots throughout the hotel where the crowds are minimal (like in the seating areas near the elevators on each floor, or the rocking chairs near the tranquil lily pond).

Elevators

Lily pond

The Sheraton Waikiki also offers a variety of activities (billiards, lei making, etc.), a fitness center, the Link@Sheraton multimedia center, and so much more.

Link@Sheraton

Our staycation at Sheraton Waikiki was fabulous.   From the moment we dropped off our luggage through check-out (again, with Stacie), service was excellent (I must add - they are one of the few hotels that truly respect the "Do not disturb" door tag).  The views were everything I dreamt of and more, and the Helumoa Playground was just as fun as I thought it would be.

Whether you're at the Sheraton Waikiki for business or leisure, with friends or family, you'll find everything you need to relax or play.

And if you have dreams of waking up to the crashing waves of Waikiki Beach, lounging in the sun, or dining with a view of Diamond Head, Sheraton Waikiki can help make them come true! 

Daydreaming of when we'll return...

For more information on Sheraton Waikiki, click here.

Sheraton Waikiki
2255 Kalakaua Ave 
Honolulu, HI 96815
808.922.4422

Thank you to Starwood Hotel and Resorts Hawaii for hosting one night of our staycation.  Gratuity was paid on my own.

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Kai Market Island Breakfast Buffet

After such a great Seafood Night buffet dinner at Kai Market during our stay at the Sheraton Waikiki, we wanted to try the Island Breakfast Buffet ($28.95/adult; $14.50/child).

The Island Breakfast Buffet offers typical breakfast faves like eggs, bacon, cereal, bagels, plus a whole lot more, once again emphasizing the use of local ingredients.

Omelet Station

My husband's omelet

Yogurt Bar

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Japanese Natto and Pickled Vegetables

Twin Bridge Waialua Farms Asparagus and Roasted Tomatoes; Molokai Sweet Potato Hash Browns; Bacon

Salad Bar

Danishes and Croissants

Sausage

Eggs Benedict, Hawaiian Style

Hawaiian Style Bread Pudding with Banana Caramel Sauce

Also offered were miso soup, pancakes, salted meats, and many more breakfast options.

I'm a happy girl as long as there's bacon, eggs, and potatoes, and the Island Breakfast Buffet had all of that and more.  And although I love savory breakfast foods, my favorite item from the buffet was the bread pudding.

Everyone in my family enjoyed the breakfast buffet and the nice selection of dishes, and we once again were happily stuffed.

Don't forget - kama`aina can get 25% off the buffet, and you can make your reservations now for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners (kama`aina discounts not available; click here to check out the special holiday menus)!

Kai Market
Sheraton Waikiki
2255 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-4422

Thank you to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii for sponsoring a portion of our family's meal.  Gratuity was paid on our own.

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Happy Hour at RumFire Waikiki

I've been to RumFire before for their delightful Spiked Afternoon Tea, and during our family's staycation at Sheraton Waikiki over the weekend, we dined there for an early dinner during Happy Hour one evening.

Kalua Pork Nachos

RumFire Kim Chee Fried Rice

Keiki Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Fries

The Happy Hour (4pm-5pm daily, excludes holidays) prices were such a deal.  $6 for the Kim Chee Fried Rice, and $10 for the Nachos. 

The Kim Chee Fried Rice was super delish.  A generous serving of spicy Fried Rice was full of Portuguese Sausage, Eggs, Onions, and Kim Chee.

Although we wished the Nachos came with more chips, my husband and I devoured the tri-Colored Chips topped with faves like Kalua Pork, Sour Cream, Cheese Sauce, Onions, and Guacamole.

The Keiki Grilled Cheese and Fries were $8, and although pricey in comparison to what we ordered off of the Happy Hour Menu, I love that Keiki Meals are offered at RumFire.

Service was good, the view gorgeous, and the Happy Hour Deals are excellent!

RumFire
2255 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI, 96815

Thank you to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii for sponsoring our meal.  Gratuity was paid on our own.

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Kai Market Seafood Night Buffet

If you love seafood, Kai Market, located at the Sheraton Waikiki, offers a Seafood Night Buffet ($58/adult; $25/child) Friday through Sunday that is sure to please.

Overlooking Waikiki Beach and with gorgeous views of Diamond Head, Kai Market, led by Chef Darren Demaya, offers guests a variety of exquisite dishes with an island twist and an emphasis on local ingredients.

In addition to Poke, Sushi, Sashimi, Salads, and Cheeses, the Seafood Night Buffet included:

Hawaiian Style Seafood Paella

Alae Salt Crusted Slow Roast Prime Rib

Steamed Fresh Local Catch

Manila Clams

Waialua Twin Bridge Farms Asparagus and Kamuela Cherry Tomatoes

Kauai Head-On Prawns Garlic "Shrimp Truck Style"

Soy-Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs

Southern King Crab

Shoyu Marinated Chicken

Assorted Cakes

Cheesecake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

And there were still even more dishes - including Soups, Noodles, Fried Rice, and a variety of other desserts!

My favorite dish was the Seafood Paella. It consisted of Mussels, Scallops, and Portuguese Sausage, and it was just so full of flavor!

My favorite dessert was the Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  It was light, moist, and simply delicious!

My kids loved the buffet as well. There were so many items they tried for the first time (crab legs, prawns, etc.), and they loved the huge selection. One of my sons was so excited by the variety of desserts, he went back for seconds!

Needless to stay, we were all stuffed, but happily so!

The buffet was fantastic, the view was gorgeous, and the service was good too.

And great news for kama`aina - just show your Hawaii resident ID to get 25% off the buffet!

Kai Market is a great place for a family dinner, and for larger parties, there is a private room (capacity 45) perfect for birthday parties or holiday gatherings.

Speaking of holiday gatherings, it's not too early to plan for the holiday season! There will be special holiday menus for Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner (kama`aina discount not available on these nights).

“Chef Darren and his team’s signature island touches make Kai Market’s holiday menus special,” said Eric Lovern, director of restaurants, Sheraton Waikiki. “We see many families celebrating the holidays at Kai Market each year, so we encourage people to make their reservations early.

If you're planning a dinner with your family for the weekend, a special holiday dinner with the extended family, or a company gathering, Kai Market offers a perfect venue!

Kai Market
Sheraton Waikiki
2255 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-4422

Thank you to Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawaii for hosting our family's dinner.  Gratuity was paid on my own.

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