A Welcome Retreat at Romer House Waikiki
The beach clubhouse blends Honolulu’s heritage, design ingenuity and local character
Steps from the Waikiki Beach strip Romer House feels a million miles away. Nestled down a side street towards the area’s Ala Wai Canal, it’s a dark, inviting spot that’s a welcome respite from the sun, noise and tourists roaming right up the block past the big chain restaurants and resorts.
Originally built in the 1960s as a college dorm, the structure has been reimagined as a hideaway through a mix of architectural innovation and cultural intent. The design team extended guest rooms outward to create generous lanais – enabled by moving the main corridor from the exterior to the interior. They also lifted the legacy parking lot to create an elevated pool deck and bar (which doubles as an event and wellness space featuring local artists and businesses). The pool deck was created with an eco-conscious concrete mix – in partnership with Highgate and CarbonCure Technologies, captured CO₂ was injected into the concrete mix, where it permanently mineralized—reducing emissions by up to 25 pounds per cubic yard while maintaining structural strength. The interiors are layered in warm wood, woven textures and deep navy tones—a nod to Waikiki’s mid-century modern roots.
The entryway sets the secluded mood with large paneled wooden doors giving way to a dimly lit lobby space and a lush staircase leading up to the pool deck. Locals-only flourishes fill the communal lobby space: a vintage relocated 855-ALOHA phone booth (which used to be found all around the city), a vending machine selling leis made from fresh local flowers and corner store designer capsules from local artisans and brands.
The locals-forward ethos extends throughout the rest of the resort, with renowned Hawaiian photographer Aarto Sari’s captivating works framing the reception area, a vibrant custom pool mural inspired by Waikīkī ’s original fishponds by Hawaiian artist Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum, a curated photo series by acclaimed artist Joe Ro, and custom street art murals by Solario bring Waikiki’s urban x island spirit to life.
The lobby also features an iconic bar, The Lei Stand. Once a beloved dive bar in Honolulu’s Chinatown, it was on the brink of closure before Romer’s team relocated and restored it inside the hotel. Vintage Tiki drinks mixed with a modern cocktail program reimagines The Lei Stand’s heritage for a new generation of locals and travelers alike. Their menu is ingeniously broken down into “Blooms” (signature cocktails), “Bark” (beer and a shot), “Hop Vine” (brews) and “Grape Vine” (wine). The “Uncle China,” with tequila, mezcal, Angostura and orange bitters, is a standout drink, as is the aptly named “Rub Up On My Belly” with its guava-jelly infused Tito’s vodka, acid-adjusted pineapple and lime-yuzu soda.
Also featured in the lobby is Table One Izakaya Restaurant (855-ALOHA), an inventive Hawaiian take on a classic Japanese izakaya, helmed by Executive Chef Brad Dodson. Trained by old-school Chinatown cooks, Brad uplevels local favorites a new-school flare.
The guest rooms cement the modern retro atmosphere, harkening back to the apartments of Honolulu’s golden era and postwar boom. Mixing blond woods, matte black fixtures and custom textiles, the rooms also feature private lanais that overlook the pool deck and bar below.
Complimentary guest programming helps travelers make the most of their stay without feeling like tourists. Activities include floating sound baths, yoga classes, tarot readings, sunset hula classes, sets from some of Oahu’s leading DJs and Waikiki Beach access.
Every Romer is designed to authentically reflect and integrate into its environment. With energy and water conservation efforts, local biodiversity integrated within and supported without, and active community engagement, Romer House manages to blend old and new in a way that creates a contemporary locals-flavored throwback—a much needed beach-adjacent hideout that celebrates Waikiki’s roots while helping shape its future.”
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