Hawaii Day 1 - Waikiki Hyatt Regency - 2025/07/02

Let's continue our summer travels. We're in LA right now having finished the Pasadena Chalk Festival and hanging out with friends and family. Now we're on to the next thing. 

It's early. Like really really early. 5am early. But that's what time we needed to get going to get our rental car returned and get over to the airport. 

At 6am we were through security. 

And by 7am we were on the plane ready to go! 

Where to? 

Hawaii! 

Theresa, lover of deals and hotel points, has booked us a fantastic room in Waikiki Hawaii, and we're all excited to visit!  

Kinda crazy how with the time change and everything it's only 10am here. 

The rental cars are nearby the airport.

After swapping out the car they originally tried giving us (way way too many scratches and scrapes and an odd smell inside) we got a better car to ferry us around the island. Theresa drove us off the lot to our next destination. Which was...

Taco Bell! We're hungry! 

With full bellies, we drove onward to our hotel and the accompanying parking garage. 

When we got there, the entrance was blocked off, so I pulled forward to see what was going on from one of the valets. Apparently a car had engine issues and needed the way clear to come out since a tow truck couldn't make it up into the garage. Sure enough, a few minutes later, a car, relying completely on gravity, coasted down and out of the ramp. I didn't realize how crazy that was until I headed up in my car. 

I know space is at a premium this close to the ocean, but this place is tight! I'm glad we're in the size car we are! Tight turns and narrow spaces everywhere. 

This video is from later in our trip, but it'll give you an idea of what we were dealing with every time we wanted to park. The valet took the first few levels, so we usually had to go all the way up to level 8 or 9. I timed it coming down. It took about 5 minutes from getting in the car to finally reaching the street. 

Any time you encountered another car on the ramp, you had to maneuver around, especially on the turns, to get around each other. 

I had Theresa calling out "clear" while I went down because it was hard enough looking for the cars, that I couldn't keep an eye on the large safety mirrors that they also had to help. Together we made it safely each time. 

 It's a beautiful day in Hawaii though! 

Our hotel is right by the beach. By noon, we were at the front desk, ready to get checked in. I know we're early, but sometimes the rooms are ready before 3pm so we were hopeful. Alas, the room T booked isn't ready yet, so we'll be heading to the other main reason we picked this hotel. 

The Globalist Lounge! With all the hotel stays and travel we've been doing, Theresa has earned enough points to be a Globalist member, giving access to the private hotel lounge with free food, drinks, and stunning views. Ask the kids their favorite part of our international trips, and "the lounge with free food" is usually towards the top. Theresa book this hotel special because of the lounge, so we're planning to spend some time here. 

A cool tree over by the beach we'll have to see later. 

Warm and sunny out here. 

We're in the shade, but for now I think we'll be more comfortable inside. 

A set of couches opened up so we headed there. 

Some lounges have a variety of food out all day. We were hopeful, but it was not to be. They had a jar of cookies, but nothing of substance. At least the drinks are available. 

Both hot and cold drinks. Alli and Ian were particularly fond of the sparkling waters with different flavors mixed in. 

The front desk said they'd give T a call when the room was ready. 3pm came and went. Then 4pm approached and still nothing. T went to the front desk and got an apology, but no update at to when the room would be available. Just... soon. 

Since we were awake so early (Los Angeles time), everyone was dragging a little bit. Sure would have been nice to have a room we could drop our stuff off at and then go on with the rest of the day... 

5pm. Still no room, though Hors d'oeuvres were served, which is pretty much going to be dinner. 

It consisted of southwestern chili, veggie samosas, and chicken wings, plus a tray of different meats, cheeses, vegetables, and a pasta salad. No complaints about the dinner tonight.  

While we were eating, finally our room was ready. Theresa went to the front desk to gather our keys and they gave her a couple drink coupons for the pool bar for the wait. 

We've got a large king bed here. 

And in the adjoining room, a pull-out couch, dining table, and a separate bathroom for the kids. 

Plus everyone got a re-usable water bottle to drink from for the entire trip. 

The view from the balcony isn't too shabby either. 

Looking back into the island at all the other hotels. 

We'd planned to go into the city and do some grocery shopping, getting snacks, floats, and other necessities, but it's getting a little too late in the day and we're all pretty tired. We decided to make it an early bedtime so that we'd be ready to go early the next morning.