A bonus for staying at the Luana: parking is only $10 a day, much cheaper than other Waikiki properties. 

The ocean view from The Luana.

Although the Outrigger Luana is not a full service hotel since there is no restaurant on site (See Editor's Notebook below.), they do, however, offer complimentary coffee and pastries in the morning.  Service at the Luana conveyed as the friendly Aloha spirit that was evident during my stay.

Looking out the sliding glass door of room 1214, I could see not only the city of Waikiki, but also a vast green belt below, and the turquoise tranquility of Waikiki.  I love that!  Because the balcony of the room was facing east, it is really a different viewpoint than any other I have experienced on previous visits to Waikik.  Breathtaking!

Dine in your kitchenette room at The Luana.

The night of our arrival, we took a quick ten minute walk down Kalakaua Ave (the main drag in Waikiki) to one of the Luana’s sister properties, the “Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach”.  We had a wonderful Hawaiian infused dinner at incredibly popular, “Duke’s Canoe Club Bar and Restaurant”.   Duke’s is on the waterfront of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotel and is aptly named after Duke Kahanamoku, who is globally crowned as the ambassador of Aloha.  Duke was also famous for being the father of modern day surfing.  

The one bedroom living room.

Coconut Shrimp with Lilikoi (otherwise known as Passion Fruit for you folks on the Mainland) dressing was what we sampled to start.  We ordered Seared Ahi crusted with sesame and various spices accompanied by a delicious salad bar filled with crisp fresh veggies.  This sunset meal was appropriately washed down with what else but a sweet island Mai Tai garnished with a juicy golden pineapple wedge and an edible purple orchid.  The amazing view of bustling Waikiki beach and the famous inactive volcanic crater, Diamond Head only served to magically enhance our dining experience in paradise.  Not to mention, the view was absolutely free!

Hit the gym or the boardwalk.

My early mornings were spent either at the Outrigger Luana’s fitness center or sweating out a run through Fort DeRussy Park.  Running in between Fort DeRussy Park and the beach lies a small boardwalk along the western portion of Waikiki Beach.   The peaceful sights and sounds of activity permeate the view.  Surfing, kayaking, stand-up-paddling, and bicycle rentals are just a fraction of the many activities taking place along the boardwalk.  This only adds to the convenience points for staying at the Outrigger Luana.

Convenience in your condo.

Having a full kitchenette in your condo means you can stock up on supplies at the nearest ABC store (which is a chain of conveniently located drug and souvenir shops located all throughout Hawaii) or at your closet Foodland Grocery store in order to prepare breakfast in the room.  Not surprisingly, we discovered that there was an ABC store located directly across the street from the Luana and that is where we stocked up on drinks, breakfast items and snacks for the day.

Luana's cheerful lobby greets
you coming and going.

After obtaining a Waikiki Enterprise Rent-a-Car we pointed the rental eastward bound on the coast of Oahu and made our way up to the North Shore.  I made this drive many times in my travels to Hawaii and can say with certainty that I never grow tired of it.  Along the way, whitecaps smash against black lava rock and the coconut palm fronds sway high above the beach as well as creating shadows on the road.   We stopped for lunch at Kua ‘Aina in quaint Haleiwa Town on the North Shore.  Thirty minutes touring the town on foot was enough time to see the sights and digest our teriyaki chicken sandwiches.  At a popular beach on the drive back, we stopped to see the commotion and were amazed to see Hawaiian green sea turtles frolicking along the shoreline and napping on the sand.

Since the Luana does not have its own restaurant, it is fun to explore the nearby dining options. We spent the evening at the Hilton Hawaiian village which is just on the other side of Fort DeRussy Park where we had a Lava flow cocktail on the patio at their beachside restaurant, Tropics.  We then ventured to Benihana where we dined on garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables and meats. 

The Waikiki Beach Walk is a quick jaunt from the Outrigger Luana Waikiki.   There are six restaurants to choose from at the Beach Walk, including a Roy’s restaurant. 

We dined there on our second night and Chef Roy Yamaguchi knows how to do Hawaiian Fusion right.  The Hawaiian martini is a must!

On the final morning of our stay at the Outrigger Luana Waikiki, we took the ten minute walk to dip our toes in the alabaster sand of Waikiki and lounged and played in the water.  After a couple of hours  basking in the sun, I had to find the famous Lapperts Ice Cream which was conveniently located in the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  One scoop of Mac Nut ice cream on a waffle cone and I was in Macadamia Nut heaven, but wait, isn’t vacationing in Hawaii already like being in Heaven?

Editor’s Notebook:  The Outrigger Luana Waikiki has just completed a three-phase renovation, including newly appointed guestrooms with tropical-style room furnishings, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and upgraded bath accessories. Sun worshippers will enjoy the new pool deck overlooking the park with teak lounge chairs, cabanas and outdoor dining tables set next to the BBQ grills. Also scheduled to open soon, the Protea Café will offer an all-day, light dining menu.

— Feature by Michelle Schoser, Jetsetters Magazine San Diego Correspondent.