Enjoy local Hawaiian hospitality at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club on Oahu
Instagram: @thesurfjack
Website: https://surfjack.com/
Location: Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
The Surfjack offers the traveler a stylish yet calming atmosphere, right in the heart of Waikiki. With an amazing pool and rooms that feel like your own personal bungalow, you might just forget that you came to the lovely island of Oahu to check out the amazing beaches and lush natural beauty.
Before heading out on a trip or vacation, we always find ourselves visualizing the scene and wondering exactly what it will be like. We recently jetted off to Oahu, Hawaii for a quick one-week getaway. Lush forests, secluded steep green peaks, soft sand, wild waves, and the bustle of Waikiki all come to mind first. Hawaii is an amazing destination.
With convenient direct flights out of Vancouver, this was our second straight year to call on Oahu to relieve us of our winter weather blues. We really love Oahu for the diverse sights and activities that can all be done in such close proximity. Intense hikes by day and cocktails in the city by night are no big deal when you can drive to almost any destination in an hour. We decided to use Waikiki as our home base, and there is no shortage of choices for accommodations. After getting a lay of the land last year, we had our eyes set on staying at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club this go around.
What drew us to the Surfjack was the vibe and style of their lobby. Last year we randomly stumbled upon their open-air coffee shop and pool, and wanted to come back to get the full experience. And after just returning home to Vancouver, we can safely say that we had an awesome, relaxing stay.
At first arrival to the Surfjack, you might notice that the footprint of the hotel is quite small. However, this is definitely what helps create the inviting and friendly feel of the space. The two wings of the hotel form a courtyard, and the open-air lobby flows directly into the rest of the space. The heart of the hotel is this open-air first floor with the dark blue oval pool at the center, surrounded by areas for guests to gather. The comfy lounge chairs on the pool deck give way to shaded cabanas, the lovely hotel restaurant and bar, and the cute coffee shop and store.
The night we arrived, we wanted to have a relaxing evening in, so we grabbed dinner at their casual restaurant and bar, Mahina & Sun’s. We loved the fresh fish, greens, veggies, and creative tropical cocktails. The dark blues and yellows of the decor and the central bar made this a fun spot to hang out, a super chill place to start or end the night. After eating and taking in all the action of the ground floor, we decided to take it easy for the rest of the night and just hang in our room.
Once we got off the elevator to our ninth floor destination, we felt like we’d been transported into our own relaxing bungalow. From the second we opened the door, it was clear that this place has some style. It gives off that mid-century modern and clean feel, using basic elements to create a super comfortable and calming space. Simply put, our suite felt like a little open-air beach house. The design really created a relaxing space that tricked the senses into feeling totally secluded in our own little, humble abode. The walls were white wood-panelling, with natural wood accents throughout the space – from end tables, to counters, to the furniture. But the contrast of the deep blue fabric of the sectional sofa and beautifully blue tiled bathroom gave the room some calming character. At the end of the day, this was an amazing haven to relax and let our creative juices flow as we unwound with a bit of writing and work.
The little touches and attention to detail from ceiling to floor are what struck us most and infused life into the place. From the beautiful wood fan in the bedroom, to the white-washed bamboo ceiling and exposed beams, to the lovely wood bathroom counter and pebble shower floor, the design of this space was precise yet serene. If you decide to stay at the Surfjack, be sure not to forget to venture out to the spacious lanai that overlooks the courtyard and blue pool beneath. An awesome perspective.
Like Oahu itself, the calm and contrast of the Surfjack are what will for sure bring us back. It’s often hard to find a place that puts you right in the center of the action yet lets you slip away to your own quiet retreat, but this was definitely it. We’re sure you’ll make it a top priority to plunge into the refreshing pool, but also definitely stroll over to the little coffee shop and store within the hotel. Taking up just a small corner of the lobby, Olive & Oliver offers stylish beachwear and casual clothing for him and her, as well as tasty hot beverages served up in coffee cups adorned in cute, tropical-themed prints.
Needless to say, this place will give you a little bit of everything on your Oahu getaway.
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