Experiences
Honolulu is a melting pot of Asian, Pacific and Western cultures that offers the visitor a sensory smorgasboard of experiences: from the beaches and skyscrapers of Waikiki, to the historic buildings found further downtown, to the nightlife of bohemian neighborhoods in Chinatown and beyond. Ala Moana by Mantra’s prime central location midway between Waikiki and downtown makes it the ideal place from which to explore this tropical urban jungle.
In fact, one of Honolulu’s biggest attractions actually adjoins the hotel. Ala Moana Center is the world’s largest open-air shopping center, boasting almost 300 retailers, including four major department stores (Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sears) as well as one of the largest collections of luxury retailers in the world. The center also offers a host of dining options.
Another gigantic attraction, at least for business travellers, is the adjacent Hawaii Convention Centre on Kalakaua Avenue. The numbers are impressive: 1.1 million square feet of meeting space, capacity for 13,000 guests. 47 meeting rooms, a 200,000sq foot exhibit hall and a 35,000sq foot ballroom. Capping it all off is a 2.5 acre landscaped rooftop events terrace.
From Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra you can walk 15 minutes in one direction and arrive in world famous Waikiki in time for your surf lesson; 20 minutes in the other direction and you’re in the heart of the city’s financial district. This district is more interesting than the name suggests, being home to many top attractions such as The Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace and The Honolulu Art Museum, to name a few.
On the western hem of the financial district you’ll find Honolulu’s intriguing Chinatown. Much more than just a collection of Asian restaurants, Chinatown is a nightlife and arts scene destination, with big stage shows at the historic Hawaii Theatre, the Chinatown art walk, and neighborhoods with loads of live music coming from the loft clubs and underground bars that are here to explore after dark.
Things to do in Honolulu
- Visit Iolani Palace
- Have a surf lesson in Waikiki
- Tour Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium
- Do the Chinatown Art Walk
- Pick up a bargain at Ala Moana Center
- Eat like a local in Kapahulu
- Hike up Diamond Head Crater
- Visit Pearl Harbor’s five historic sites.
- Go for a drive around O'ahu’s famous North Shore beaches
- Take in the view from the top of the Aloha Tower