The Twin Fin – Hotel Review

Sun, sand and surf: the holy trinity of holidaying in Hawaii is all distilled into the reimagined Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, now known as The Twin Fin. The refurbed and refreshed hotel celebrates its surroundings with fun-filled dining experiences, a storefront for gelato-coloured beach kit hire and a laid-back feel in its compact rooms and suites. Read on for the full review.

Stationed at the southern end of Waikiki Beach, guests have easy access to both the beachfront and the city’s brand-name boutiques, as well as stunning views of the looming peak of Diamond Head and its blanket of glittering ocean.

Where is The Twin Fin? 

On Kalākaua Avenue, towards the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. It’s about 25 minutes from Daniel K. Inouye Airport by car when there’s light traffic.

What’s near The Twin Fin?

The Twin Fin towers over the southern end of Waikiki Beach, near the peak of Diamond Head. From here, the beach and its bustle is about 50 metres away. 

If you want to get the heart pumping, a hike up Diamond Head will do the trick. Plan ahead for an early ascent by booking your entry online, then take a short cab or Uber to the visitor centre. If you’d like to give your credit card the workout instead, Kalākaua Avenue, the street the hotel is situated on, is lined with malls and shops.

Room types 

The refreshed rooms of The Twin Fins are small but, thanks to a colour scheme of cream and white and a few retro-coloured trims, feel light, bright and not at all cramped. If your timing (or budget) doesn’t allow for an ocean view room or suite, a Diamond Head view is a fair second choice, with lanais oriented towards the dusty crags. Teal is a fun choice for the bathrooms (all of which include bathtubs) and rooms feature Keurig coffee makers, reusable water bottles and comfy beds. 

Restaurants and bars 

There are five eateries on-site at The Twin Fin, each of which are infused with a sunny, casual feel. The kitschy Tiki’s Grill & Bar, which occupies prime Honolulu real estate just across the road from the sand of Waikiki, is a place of saucy wings, chunky burgers and happy hours, while The Coconut Club, perched high over the city, serves a buffet breakfast along with a spectacular sea views. Kids (and parents) will love the proximity to ice cream and shave ice, with Kai Coconuts and Cafe Glace both on-site and serving a delicious — and extensive — array of both. 

Travel for work

The Lokahi meeting room, located on the upper lobby level, can accommodate up to 60 people for meetings or small conferences. Wi-fi, included in the daily resort fee, is available throughout the property, though the lack of in-room working spaces demands you get creative about where you set up your working station. 

Gym and pool

Although there’s a small pool for quick dips, open from 8am until 9pm, why confine yourself to it when Waikiki Beach is yours after simply crossing the street? (Pool and beach towels are included with the resort fee.) There’s also a sizable fitness centre on-site. 

Accessibility   

The Twin Fin welcomes guests of all abilities with accessible entrance, food and beverage outlets, a pool with a chair lift and a selection of accessible rooms with roll-in showers.

What you need to know

Beach Candy, the hotel’s hire store stocked with everything from surfboards to floaties and SUPs, is a helpful on-site addition for guests who like to use the beach for more than just sunbathing. Every room receives three credits a day, included in the daily resort fee, to use at the store. 

SEE ALSO: The Best Beach Resorts in Waikiki