While Waikiki is known around the world for its beach, if you’re looking to save a buck or two, staying in a hotel further from the sand will help stretch your travel dollars. But if you really want surf vibes, you don’t have to bust your budget; just stay at The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club.
Located five blocks from the beach and one block from the Ala Wai Canal, this mid-century modern hotel boasts a one-of-a-kind blend of aloha appeal. Built in the 1960s as a budget hotel, it got a facelift and reopened at The Surfjack in 2016. The open-air lobby wears a lot of hats. Along with comfy seating, you’ll find picnic tables, the pool, and evening seating for Mahina & Sun’s restaurant.
Accommodations
The Surfjack offers a 112 rooms in a half-dozen room and suite categories. I stayed in a Two Bedroom Suite on the corner of the fifth floor. The nostalgic surf charm was apparent as soon as I entered the room.
The living room featured a denim couch and wooden furniture, and was flooded with natural light thanks to a pair of sliding glass doors that opened to balconies. One outdoor space overlooked the street, while the other enjoyed a bird’s-eye-view of the pool.
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The beds were topped with white linens, but the headboards were covered in colorful printed fabrics from Oahu-based aloha wear company Tori Richards. The bathroom featured a vanity with a single sink, toilet, and shower.
There was a small refrigerator in the suite, but notably missing was a coffee maker. Overall, the suite was starting to show some wear and tear, but the overall laid-back design and retro feel of the space made it easier to forgive.
Surfjack Perks
Days here revolve around the photo-worthy pool emblazoned with the phrase “Wish You Were Here.” The pool is open to all guests daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. After a brief closure to put away lounge chairs and set up additional tables for onsite restaurant Mahina & Sun’s, the pool reopens for adults only from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In between making a splash and soaking up vitamin D, guests will find numerous opportunities to be social. Every month, the property organizes a number of activities ranging from Aqua Zumba and Pilates workout classes to DJ dance parties and markets where local artisans are invited to sell their wares.
Dogs are welcome at The Surfjack, and I spotted a plethora of pampered pooches during my stay. Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, the hotel’s resident hotel dog, Jack, holds a meet and greet for interested, dog-loving guests.
Dining at Mahina & Sun’s
Overlooking the pool, Mahina & Sun’s serves lunch and dinner. The all-day Lanai Menu is a bit more casual, offering everything from banana bread and chicken wings to a taro burger and pizza.
Served from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can expect a range of selections to choose from on Mahina & Sun’s Dinner Menu; think dishes including Kauai Shrimp Hush Puppies, ½ Roasted Chicken, Seared Ahi, and The Naked Pig Pizza with fromage blanc, uncured bacon and sweet onion. An added perk, live music is offered nightly from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mahina & Son’s does not serve breakfast. Complimentary coffee and tea are offered in the morning by the pool. There is also a small ARVO coffee shop located steps from the front desk that features a variety of coffee and tea drinks, as well as a small food menu with grab-and-go choices including pastries, bagels, and yogurt parfaits. Numerous eateries and convenience stores are within easy walking distance.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is less than a nine-mile drive. Pearl Harbor National Memorial is just over 11 miles from the hotel.
One Room Bungalows are The Surfjack’s standard or entry-level room category; rates start at $207. There is no amenity fee or daily resort fee.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Self-parking is located off-site at the Hyatt Centric Parking Garage. Parking is partially covered by The Surfjack and costs $10 a day for one car. Additional vehicles are $30 per day.
Any dog, any size, stays free of charge.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
