Suite/Hotel Info
About the hotel
Away from the hustle of Waikiki, The Modern encompasses a hip and laid-back surfers’ vibe. Although not beachfront, you can make it to the sand in just 90 seconds. Set back from the beach, this 18-floor property still offers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and city skyline.
The Modern has mastered Hawaiian swank in its four bars, groovy spa, two pools and dining options created by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. It sits on the fringe of Waikiki, a cosy escape from the occasionally overwhelming tourist epicentre. Who needs the beach when you have the Sunset Pool embellished by Yves Klein’s blue glass tiles.
Look & Feel
Unique Features
The highlight for my son was the $4 chocolate croissants from the study which came with free coffee and tea. They oozed chocolate inside and out – perfect to grab before a surf lesson at Pops with the famed Ty Gurney Surf School.
The highlight for me was poolside at dusk when the area is lit by glass bottle lanterns hanging from the autograph trees and flickering candles on the tables.
My husband loved the bookcase, which would rotate each evening at 5pm to play host to cocktails named after literary works and composed with the same aplomb.
The Suite Experience
I open the door to my incredible ocean front suite which is decked out in natural hues, and whites. On the shelf in the hall is a Ukelele, perfect for mai tai nights with Tiny Tim, three sarongs and some white coral. There’s a bedroom filled with natural light, a sophisticated living area and the piece de resistance, the balcony or lanai in Hawaiian. The room has all the basics plus much more including free Wi-Fi, 46 inch LCD TVs with a million channels of American TV, custom-woven leather and teak desk chairs imported from Indonesia, custom lighting, even the basins are custom cast terrazzo with extra large terrazzo countertops and 24-hour room service.
Treat Yourself
Spa
The Modern Spa features a little bit of Australia in the eucalyptus oil products they use as well as local pots and potions with delectable scents. Everything they use is natural, organic, handcrafted and sustainable and their lomi lomi massage is a welcome tonic for jetlagged travellers.
If you’d like an upgrade
The A-listers have dibs on the Penthouse but if you can get in, grab it for its 1,500-square-foot landscaped terrace alone – a true selfie nirvana. Inside you will have 1,400-square-foot of movie star living with a dual shower, oversized soaking tub, formal dining room, kitchen, entertainment centre, bedroom and guest’s bathroom.
The Penthouse displays the same sleek minimalism of the ocean view suite, sort of Miami Beach meets ivory on cream.
Special Touches
Insider tip
Every Friday night at 7:45pm there is ten minutes of fireworks let off in front of the hotel by the lagoon.