Friends, I love a good staycation.

Luckily for me, I spent the better part of a weekend lounging by the pool at The Laylow—a stylish and modern hotel on Kuhio Avenue in the heart of Waikiki. I had been curious about this hotel after seeing it under construction and all over social media. It is ultra Instagrammable! I booked a “Ho’okipa Level Corner Suite” at a travel agent rate. This rate was slightly better than the kama’aina rate that weekend and included “light snacks” and “non-alcoholic beverages” daily. I thought, “Yes, that sounds worth it.”

The Laylow is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection—a distinctive luxury boutique brand. Another of my favorite hotels, the Mauna Kea, is also an Autograph Collection property. While some travel bloggers were upset when Marriott acquired SPG, I think there are perks: Marriott is a huge brand opening new hotels worldwide every week, giving you more options to spend points and build loyalty.

The Laylow offers no executive lounge for premium guests. Instead, guests on the Ho’okipa floors (15th and 16th) have access to snack bars. However, these were disappointing. For example, on Sunday morning, the drink selection was limited to orange juice, coffee, and water. The self-serve “ham and cheese croissants” were missing, with only a sign and crumbs remaining.

Overall, the Laylow was a pleasant surprise in bustling Waikiki, and I’d definitely recommend it to friends.

Hotel Highlights

• Prime location nestled between International Market Place and Nordstrom Rack—perfect for shopping!
• Stylish and modern Hawaiian-inspired design that avoids feeling cheesy.
• Spacious rooms with thoughtful touches like a lauhala-mat mini fridge door and cozy furniture.

Room Features

The view from our balcony on the 10th floor was stunning. The room’s Hawaiian-inspired furniture was charming yet modern, with a hidden mini fridge behind a lauhala-mat door—such a cute touch!

All in all, the Laylow Waikiki gets a big YAY from me. I’ll be back!