Romer House Waikiki doesn’t have a grand entrance, a porte cochere or even large signage. In fact, it’s easy to miss; I initially drove right by it, then realized a row of green umbrellas on the sidewalk marked its location.
Fresh from a floor-to-ceiling renovation, Oahu’s only adults-only hotel is unobtrusive, quiet and intimate — it has just 179 guestrooms — despite being in the center of vibrant Waikiki. When guests are ready to explore, shops, shows, beaches, restaurants, nightclubs and attractions (including the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Regional Park) are a short walk away.
Local Connections
What caught my eye as I checked in was an entire wall featuring the work of renowned surf photographer Arto Saari, who lives on Oahu’s North Shore, a mecca for avid wave-riders. At this mini-gallery of changing exhibits (where everything is for sale), local artists introduce guests to the spectacular — and sometimes hidden and elusive — beauty of Hawaii.
In fact, making such connections is an important aspect of Romer House’s approach to hospitality. The Aloha Line concierge service is another example of this. Shortly after I got to my room, I received a welcome text from a team member named Samantha asking if I had any questions. As it turned out, I did.
A Luxe Two Queens room comes with a sleeper sofa.
Credit: 2025 Read McKendree“My room is a bit too cool,” I texted back. “Can you tell me where the thermostat is?”
She replied promptly.
“It’s on the wall near the armoire,” she wrote. “I can send a room specialist to help if you would like.”
Finding the thermostat was no problem — I couldn’t believe I overlooked it in the first place — and it was nice to know that if I needed, wanted or was curious about something, I could text the Aloha Line 24/7.
Although Romer House doesn’t have a concierge desk, the QR code on my key card was my connection to curated tours, shops, restaurants, nightlife and special events on Oahu. It was also where I found exclusive perks for guests, including discounts on yoga classes, rental cars and catamaran cruises.
An Adults-Only Oasis
At most hotels, the pool area is a noisy, crowded playground. Not so at Romer House’s second-floor Backyard; sans kids, there are no waterslides, splash zones or flotation toys and devices. Instead, a waist-deep wading pool surrounded by greenery, cabanas and lounge chairs is the perfect place for guests to relax and connect with themselves.
Complimentary poolside yoga, abs and bum workouts, and meditative sound bath sessions are available on select mornings, and mini-facials and mini-massages (for a fee) will be offered there soon. One afternoon, I opted to spend time in a cabana with my laptop, intending to work — and wound up taking a nap.
Standout Dining at 855-Aloha
Foodies are sure to give an enthusiastic thumbs up to 855-Aloha, which provides superb food, drinks and service with a dose of nostalgia. The restaurant's name refers to the pay telephone booths that were once found all over Oahu. Back in the day, callers needing assistance dialed that number to reach an operator.
Here, clients can choose from enticing tapas meant to share — yet another way for guests to connect, this time with friends and family. My boyfriend, Walter, and I agreed there are three musts on the menu. First, there’s the Aloha Spoon, on which rests a quail egg, ikura (salmon roe), uni (sea urchin), shiso and ponzu sauce. As intended, we put the entire spoon in our mouths, relishing the delicacies’ incredible explosion of flavors.
Next: The Godzilla Roll — Insta-worthy edible art — features salmon, avocado, snow crab, shrimp tempura, tobiko (flying fish roe), spicy mayo, unagi (freshwater eel) sauce and scallion arranged between and over a layer of sushi rice. Walter and I loved it so much, we flipped a quarter to determine which of us would have the last piece (I called heads and won).
Onsite restaurant 855-Aloha serves delicious small plates meant to be shared.
Credit: 2025 Craig BixelLast: Don’t be misled by the Oko-Oko Pancake’s name; it doesn’t look anything like a flapjack. Rather, it’s a savory crustless pie chock-full of shrimp, bonito, baby scallops and cabbage and topped with nori (dried seaweed), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), Kewpie mayo, pickled ginger and okonomiyaki sauce. Oko-Oko refers to okonomiyaki, 855-Aloha’s bold version of which blends 12 ingredients: vinegar, sugar, molasses, caramel, water, soy sauce, shiitake powder, garlic powder, peach puree, kelp extract, tomato paste and date juice extract.
It’s clear the eatery's mixologists had fun designing the cocktail menu. All the drink names are song titles tied to the phone. Think: Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309,” Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and Soulja Boy’s “Kiss Me Thru The Phone.”
A Friendly Neighbor
Beyond its footprint, Romer House aims to help build a thriving Waikiki community and invites guests to be a part of it. Putting its “Love Thy Neighborhood” philosophy into action, it and sister hotel Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador are stewards of King Kalakaua Park, which honors Hawaii’s last reigning king. Guests at both properties are welcome to join clean-up efforts there on the second Thursday of every month.
In addition, Romer House supports Waikiki Community Center (WCC), a nonprofit with the mission “to enrich and improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the diverse people of Waikiki.” WCC participates in the Genki Ala Wai Project, which hopes to drop 300,000 mud balls containing billions of beneficial microorganisms into the Ala Wai Canal by 2026. The microorganisms will remove organic debris and other pollutants, making the famed Waikiki waterway safe for fishing and swimming again. Guests can sign up at WCC to make balls and/or deploy them.
“It’s about being hands on and hearts in,” said Ramona Sidlo, regional director of experiential marketing for Highgate, the company that manages Romer House. “We amplify unique stories about our brand and brands we love through amenities and activities that connect guests to our hotel, themselves, each other and their experiences with us. If guests make meaningful bonds, they are more inclined to talk about them, they’re more inclined to write a positive review, and they’re more inclined to return. Connections are what drive us."
