We started this Hawaii trip at the sister property of the Outrigger Waikiki, which is the all new Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger. It is a beautifully renovated property and more of a city style boutique hotel, whereas the Outrigger Waikiki is right on the beach. In fact, all Outrigger hotels are oceanfront properties and this is one of the reasons why I am such a huge fan of the Outrigger brand.
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Probably due to all the marvellous pictures and movies that have been planted into our heads and hearts for decades, most people think that there are a lot of hotels on the beach in Waikiki. Yet in reality, there are only a handful of beachfront hotels on the entire island of Oahu! And few, if any, are in a prime location like the Outrigger Waikiki. Add that it is also the most affordable beachfront hotel and you have a winning aloha combination!
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ROOM //
The phrase ‘it felt like home’ is overused and although we had stayed here two years ago, walking into our ocean front room definitely did not feel like home… The amazing panoramic ocean views, the jacuzzi with a view over the Pacific towards, well, Japan I guess, the breathtaking sunsets; I don’t have any of that at home! The word paradise is also overused but oh so fitting at the Outrigger Waikiki. True, the rooms could use the ‘every wall has been touched’-upgrade that the Beachcomber just had, but the Outrigger came up with a few very nifty innovations to please even the most critical traveler.
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Like for me, the new inconspicuous waterproof wristband that operates the elevators and serves as a room key is extremely helpful. I have spent too many embarrassing moments at the front desk asking for a new room key after having lost mine somewhere. I went into the ocean with the wristband every day and never had to worry about losing my room key on the beach towel, in my bag or anywhere else. Really, really useful for a beach resort.
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FOOD //
Another new feature is the Voyager 47 Club Lounge, available for guests who reserve a suite or a Voyager 47 Club Room. At first, I was amazed that the hotel had sacrificed such a beautiful beachfront spot overlooking Waikiki Beach, with unmatched Diamond Head view, to create this lounge with both indoor and outdoor (terrace) seating. Once I enjoyed the wonderful island style breakfast (every day from 6 am to 9:30 am) with three different kinds of fresh fruits, pancakes, French toast, breakfast wraps, oatmeal, pastries and the fantastic premium local Kona coffee, I understood its real function: the Voyager 47 Club Lounge is all about getting into the aloha vibe from the moment you wake up, until the morning the sun goes down beyond the horizon.
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Because make no mistake, the Voyager 47 Club Lounge opens again from 5 pm to 7 pm for sunset views with early evening pupus (appetizers) and free flow drinks. Even the boyfriend, who rarely drinks, enjoyed the local craft beers and we both happily sipped the sangria, cocktails and wine during our stay. The food offerings vary each day: I loved the tuna poke and miso soup, whereas the boyfriend raved about the meatballs and charcuterie offerings. There is not just something for everybody, there is a lot for everybody! Many guests commented that they loved the food in the lounge so much, they went as far as to skip dinner. I can see why, because the food was just delicious.
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DUKE’S AND THE SUNRISE SHACK //
The Outrigger Waikiki has other very popular food outlets like the Hula Grill and especially Duke’s. Named after Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary waterman who made surfing a global phenomenon and even won a gold medal swimming in the Olympics, Duke’s is one of the most popular restaurants on the island. I strongly recommend making a reservation before going to Duke’s and the Hula Grill, or you could be in for a bit of a wait. A new addition to the food offerings at the Outrigger Waikiki is the Sunrise Shack, who opened their second location there. Originally famous on the North Shore, the Sunrise Shack offers the most amazing smoothie bowls and very original coffees, all organic. If you ever want to try a Dirty Chai Bullet (coconut bullet with blue lotus chai), a Mac Nut Bullet (coconut bullet with macademia nut butter) or a Golden Bullet (organic black coffee, MCT oil, coconut oil and Laird Superfood Coconut-Turmeric creamer), this is the place to go.
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POOL & BEACH //
I obviously can’t stay at the Outrigger Waikiki without talking about the beach. First of all, I hate that some resorts in Waikiki charge a fortune for the room and then you have to pay extra for lounge beds at the pool. Not at the Outrigger though, so make sure you get there early enough because it’s first come, first serve. It is a beautiful white sand beach without a sharp reef or pesky rocks and with the gorgeous water temperature, you could truly spend hours in the surf. If you don’t spend your day at the beach but go out to explore the island, like we did most days, I strongly recommend to get back before sunset, put on your bathing suit and slip into a robe to head to the beach for a sunset swim!
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It still doesn’t feel like home. It feels like paradise.

*Pressstay at // Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort – Oahu,  HAWAII
Pink Dress // Goldie Dress in Rosada by Mister Zimi

All photos are taken with the Canon EOS M5