A few weeks ago in early May, I completed my studies in Hawaii and graduated from college! This was a major life milestone for me and a call for celebration – and what better way to relax after a stressful 5 years than a staycation in a gorgeous hotel!? Enter Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, a beautiful brand new hotel located right in the heart of Oahu’s famous Waikiki Beach area.
The first thing I noticed during check-in was the modern look of the hotel. Tourism in Waikiki and subsequent construction of hotels began to boom in the 1970s, so most hotels on the strip were designed many decades ago and honestly need a major facelift! But not Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach – its fresh and bright atmosphere stands out as a modern beauty among other older Waikiki hotels. After a lovely check in experience complete with leis from the staff (gotta love that Hawaiian hospitality!), we wandered off to acquaint ourselves with the hotel grounds. Hyatt Centric’s lobby is adjacent to many of the hotel’s gems – it’s large outdoor terrace complete with island-inspired furnishings, a sparkling blue pool, it’s delicious restaurant The Lanai (where we enjoyed American-Hawaiian fusion food that night) and the Splash Lounge where there is lovely live music every Friday and Saturday night…before even checking into my room, I knew I was going to like it here.
The room lived up to the hype that had been set from the beautiful lobby. We stayed at the Ocean View Suite on the 14th floor, a pristine suite complete with a living room and a separate bedroom with sliding wooden doors. Much to my delight there was also a free-standing tub and rainfall shower, along with a Japanese-style automated toilet (score!). The suite also had a lovely king sized bed, 2 flat screen TVs, robes, 2 re-usable water bottles (can you ever have too many of these? nope), and an ocean view from its massive circular windows. Again, the stylish and modern vibes truly made the room shine!
But, given that it’s Hawaii and we didn’t wanna spend all of our time indoors, we headed outside to explore the surroundings. Immediately outside the front door is what millions of people travel so far for each year: internationally renowned Waikiki. Hyatt Centric’s location is prime in the center of Waikiki so you’re in the middle of all the action! Lively street performers, island shops and restaurants, the bustling International Marketplace, Waikiki Beach and so much more are right at your feet waiting to be discovered. After enjoying Waikiki’s sights, we eventually made our way to the beach for a sunset surf sesh, another great Waikiki activity for beginners and novices alike.
There’s lots of other awesome stuff to check in in Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach’s area. Infamous Diamond Head Crater is either a leisurely stroll or a quick ride right up the road, where hundreds of people each day brace the Hawaiian heat to climb to the summit of the once-active volcano that helped to create the luscious Hawaiian islands that we know now. Short coastal and mountainous rides away from Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach reveal more of what makes Oahu so famous: there’s spots like Hanauma Bay where you can snorkel with tons of sea life, picturesque Lanikai Beach, famous for twin islands that sit in the distance on turquoise waters, or perhaps Manoa Falls and/or Lulumahu Falls if waterfall adventures are up your alley. After a long day of exploring all that Oahu has to offer, Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach was the perfect haven to come back to! I definitely had to be nearly forced out of that room to go back to my tiny shoebox apartment the next day…
Overall, you should come to Hawaii and Waikiki for the unforgettable experiences and unparalleled natural beauty. And you should stay at Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach for its fresh, modern atmosphere and its close proximity to all of Oahu’s famous sights and activities!
Check out Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach’s website here for more information and booking!
