Hanohano – Waikiki’s Best Kept Secret

*** January 2011 Update — The Hanohano Room has been replaced by a private club that’s now called the Leahi Club.

If you’re going to Waikiki, I suggest that a visit to Hanohano is a must do. The view from this 30th floor chic restaurant and bar is really worth the visit.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Hanohano and and had the impression that the restaurant might be beyond your vacation budget. (By the way, their new set menu options

are not exorbitantly expensive.) The secret to this place is that you can get the same great view from the bar as you can from a dinner table.

We met a friend for a Mai Tai at Hanohano and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The experience begins with a glass elevator ride straight up to the 30th floor. Your view from the elevator is of Honolulu with the Koolua Mountains as the back drop. Then when the elevator door opens and we saw the view of Waikiki and Diamond Head, we just couldn’t stop ourselves from saying, “Wow!”  Lang (photo on the right) was our delightful bartender.  He was quite the character. If you go and meet Lang, ask him for the instructions for drinking a Mai Tai.

Another secret tip about this place is turns into a lively nightclub two nights each month. I hear that this is the place to be on first and third Saturdays each month.

Hanohano is located on the 30th floor of the Sheraton Waikiki (2255 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu).  It opens each night at 5:30pm. See our other photos from our experience at Hanohano.  This photo of Waikiki after sunset is a stunner.

I must credit my Honolulu friend, Dave, for telling me about this place. Mahalo, Dave!