Ramona Sidlo takes her role as “mayor of the block” for Romer Waikiki at The Ambassador very seriously.
“I love to gather and learn about people,” she said. “As the mayor of the block for the hotel, my priority is engagement and connection — not only with guests, but also through community partnerships and special programming that enhance their stays with us.”
Warm, exuberant and down to earth, Sidlo is perfect for the job; within minutes of meeting her, I felt like I had known her for years. The hotel, too, exudes a laid-back, unpretentious vibe. The lobby — filled with plants, board games and books about leis, surfing and other aspects of Hawaiian culture and local life — reminded me of my best friend’s living room.
An Extensive Renovation
Formerly known as Ambassador Hotel Waikiki, Romer Waikiki opened on Oct. 1, 2023, following an extensive, multimillion-dollar “reinvention” of its 368 guestrooms and public spaces. Evident to me immediately was its openness; no doors or walls separate the porte cochere, front desk, lobby and terrace.
Likewise, the property’s Corner Store is free of barriers. Displayed in this delightful nook is an ever-changing selection of locally sourced treasures, from art, jewelry and bags to bikinis, ceramics and puzzles. There are no sales clerks or cash registers; rather, transactions are made at the front desk. Tables and chairs invite guests to read, chat, play a game of chess or sip morning coffee or evening cocktails. It’s more of a lounge than a retail outlet.
The Corner Store serves as both a gathering space and a retail outlet.
Credit: 2024 Romer Waikiki at the AmbassadorThe store also serves as a pop-up venue for small businesses that don’t have a brick-and-mortar presence.
“Maybe they can’t afford to pay high Waikiki rents,” Sidlo said. “Or maybe they can’t do big volumes because they’re sewing appliques by hand. We value that kind of collaboration because it gives our guests access to fabulous products that they won’t see anywhere else in Waikiki.”
A Launchpad for Exploration
By scanning a QR code on the back of their key card, guests can also access dozens of other Romer Waikiki partners, many of which provide discounts and little gifts — perhaps a complimentary lei, dessert or jar of honey. Available at the touch of a finger are maps and information about activities, attractions, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and current happenings on Oahu.
“A guest's key card is their key to the neighborhood — which we consider to be the entire island,” Sidlo said. “They don’t have to search a lot of websites to figure out how they want to spend their vacation, because we provide insider tips and recommendations from our kamaaina (resident) staff — people who live on Oahu and know it best."
A guest's key card is their key to the neighborhood — which we consider to be the entire island.
The hotel is essentially a launchpad for exploration, she explains.
I was pleased to see many of my favorite spots among the property’s suggestions, including Liliha Bakery, Rainbow Drive-In, Lin’s Lei Shop, Foster Botanical Garden, the Honolulu Museum of Art and the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market.
Accommodations, Activities and Amenities
Visitors’ home base at Romer Waikiki might be king accommodations adjoining a room with bunk beds (perfect for families), a partial oceanview two-bedroom suite with a private lanai or a king room with a bathtub. Music aficionados will love that certain rooms are furnished with a record player and vinyl LP collection that might include artists such as Fleetwood Mac and Mariah Carey, along with Grammy winners and nominees hailing from Hawaii, including Bruno Mars and Jack Johnson. This cool amenity was made possible thanks to a partnership with Hungry Ear Records, Hawaii’s oldest music store.
Guestrooms with bunk beds are ideal for families.
Credit: 2024 Romer Waikiki at the AmbassadorAmong the hotel’s complimentary perks are Hawaii-grown coffee and tea in the lobby to start the day, a welcome beer from Waikiki Brewing Company daily at 4 p.m. and weekly poolside Pilates at the third-floor Waikiki Swim & Social Club.
On the second Thursday of every month, the Park Clean-Up & Pau Hana takes place at King Kalakaua Park right across the street. Romer Waikiki is the steward of that pretty patch of green, which honors Hawaii’s last reigning king.
“That came about from our desire to malama — to take care of the land,” Sidlo said. “In addition to forests and valleys, malama has to include land in urban areas. Guests and neighbors help us clean the park, then head to Waikiki Swim & Social Club for a complimentary drink and live music, which also happens on Friday and Saturday. They can open a tab, order yummy bites, take a dip and say hi to our friends from Kuleana Rum, who provide the rum for mixing classic cocktails.”
Waikiki Swim & Social Club features a pool and lounge areas, offers food service and hosts live music.
Credit: 2024 Romer Waikiki at the AmbassadorOpen daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., the club is a great place to hang out any time. Brightly colored umbrellas and giant bean bags create a fun, festive atmosphere, and cabanas and daybeds can be reserved for a fee. Attendants circulate unobtrusively, offering face mists, cold towel refreshers and sunglasses cleanings. My boyfriend and I enjoyed the privacy of a cabana for a shared supper of poke and rice, a succulent burger and a prawn sandwich, which had a shrimp Louie dressing so delicious we didn’t leave a bit of it on the plate.
Creating a Memorable Visit
Although Romer Waikiki is not beachfront, I was happy to discover it’s just a 10-minute stroll to the sand through the tree-lined Fort DeRussy Beach Park. It also took 10 minutes for me to walk from the hotel to the heart of Waikiki’s retail, activity and entertainment district.
Although the property doesn’t have a traditional concierge desk, Aloha Ambassadors are on hand to answer any questions that guests may have, from “Where’s the best luau?” to “Who can fix the audio on our television?” and many more. Opting in for the Aloha Line at check-in also enables clients to receive responses via text messaging around the clock.
And whenever she’s on-site, the mayor of the block is also happy to assist.
“Ask us anything!” Sidlo said. “We’re here to help guests build amazing experiences and make lasting memories.”
