Hotel Review: The Laylow, Autograph Collection

There has recently been a transition for Hawaiian hotels from “tiki chic” to just plain chic — and The Laylow, Autograph Collection is a perfect example of this.

Here, the spirit of aloha is combined with midcentury-modern decor to create an urban oasis in the heart of Honolulu.

I’ve been to Honolulu several times, but I have avoided staying in the middle of Waikiki for fear that it would be too hectic. But, as I entered The Laylow’s second-floor lobby by way of an outdoor escalator, I left busy Kuhio Avenue below and stepped into a modern — yet still Hawaiian — space that simultaneously exuded excitement and serenity.

“Part of what Autograph Collection is all about is being distinctly different,” said Marc Nasser, director of sales and marketing for the property. "And, in fact, the tagline is ‘Exactly like nothing else."

The Laylow certainly is distinct. The 50-year-old building underwent a one-year, $70 million renovation and opened as The Laylow in spring 2017. All of the 186 spacious guestrooms feature a king-size bed (117 of these have two); a private balcony; a high-tech entertainment system that connects to everyone’s devices; and, for clients traveling with a furry companion, a dog bed, a dog bowl and treats. The hotel’s inventory also includes 13 junior suites and 52 corner suites with two configurations: a king with a queen and a twin daybed or a king with a twin daybed. In addition, there are four specialty guestrooms that open right onto the hotel’s saltwater pool.

The first thing I noticed when I entered my room — apart from the chic decor — was the E Komo Mai (welcome) Basket containing bottled water, local snacks and two pairs of branded flip flops (called “slippers” in Hawaii).

From Stumptown Coffee Roasters to kick off the morning to refined mixology to cap off the night, the food and beverage options at The Laylow stand out. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Hideout, features a twist on classic island dishes that reflect executive chef Bryan Byard’s focus on fresh, local ingredients.

Breakfast at Hideout is the perfect way to start a day in paradise, with a menu that includes the Aloha Omelette, which incorporates a choice of traditional Hawaiian ingredients such as Portuguese sausage, kalua pork and Spam; and the North Shore eggs benedict with crab cakes, Kauai prawn and mango hollandaise. But it’s the lunch and dinner menu that really gives Byard a chance to show off his innovative take on Pacific Rim cuisine. Menu entrees include kiawe wood-smoked huli-huli (grilled) chicken with coconut rice and Chinese long beans or the coconut porter short rib that is paired with Okinawan potatoes.

The hotel’s daily destination fee of $29 per night include amenities such as Wi-Fi access; beach and pool towels; use of the hotel’s beach cruiser bicycles; and daily poolside treats. It also includes complimentary ukulele lessons three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. Guests can even purchase their own ukulele for a cool souvenir of their Hawaiian vacation.

Clients also receive a $50 credit per room for select island activities booked through the concierge. These include a visit to Pearl Harbor, a luau, a helicopter tour, a circle island driving tour or the most popular choice: a snorkel and dolphin adventure in the waters off Oahu’s west side.

Although it’s definitely an oasis from busy Waikiki, the hotel is still only steps away from Honolulu’s hot spots, such as The International Marketplace shopping center. Plus, directly across the street is Marukame Udon, where a line of customers waiting for bowls of housemade noodles can stretch down the block.

With many hotels in Honolulu, it can be challenging to find the right one, but The Laylow is the perfect choice for travelers looking for a relaxing Hawaiian vacation (while still being in the middle of the action).

After all, as Robert Friedl, general manager of the hotel, writes in his note in the E Komo Mai basket: “Rooms are plentiful in Waikiki, but true hookipa — hospitality — is rare.”

The Details
The Laylow, Autograph Collection
www.laylowwaikiki.com