Although my stay at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort was brief (way too brief, hello it was Hawaii!) it was the perfect spot to dash in-and-out of, eat at and sleep in during the time I was in Waikiki for SPAMJam.
Here are a few highlights from my stay.
I arrived on Friday afternoon, to this beautiful view, I never get tired of the color of the water in Hawaii!
During my weekend I got to enjoy two of the three main restaurants (there are two other eateries as well) starting with an apéro at the Hula Grill Waikiki.
In Hawaii, they call appetizers, pupus. Whatever you call them, the Kahlua pork sliders and ahi poke tacos were delicious which I enjoyed alongside a plantation tea (tea with pineapple juice).
[The Hula Grill Waikiki actually created my favorite SPAM dish for the festival, the SPAM Waffle Dog with the new Portuguese Sausage-flavored SPAM.]
We talked, ate and laughed while overlooking the pool which I totally wanted to dive into…
We also listened to the Lei Day festivities that were taking place on the beach in front of the hotel, you can see the stage in the upper right/middle of the photos. There was even a helicopter that dropped flowers!
From there we moved to a pre-SPAMJAM party hosted by Hormel which was held in a beautiful suite overlooking Diamond Head.
You can see a little bit of the view behind the photo I took of my Hula Mai Tai, that is if you can tear yourself away from that drink.
We had more delicious food, some SPAM themed:
Including Hormel’s contest winner:
As well as some with local ingredients in dishes found in the main restaurants:
The next day I went to the KCC farmer’s market which is a hop, skip and a jump away from the hotel. I had a breakfast of champions made up of Kahlua pork over rice and a delicious green farm juice from Nalo Juice.
In the late morning, I worked in my room on my terrace catching up on a few blog tasks and then met several other bloggers for lunch in the famous Duke’s Canoe Club. I have been reading several books that take place in Oahu and so I knew some of the history of the Duke Kahanamoku and his gang of beach boys.
The restaurant serves typical beach food, Hawaiian dishes, and burgers, etc. I tried a MacNut-crusted katsu chicken with lilikoi sauce with rice with a mac-and-potato salad combo.
I was completely satisfied and then this landed on the table!
Duke’s famous Hula Pie is to die for! We asked the server to explain how it is made, because it is a work of art. There is an Oreo cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream with huge macadamia nuts inside, plus chocolate syrup. Yes, I know. You want to get on your surfboard and paddle to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort right now. Just. For. The. Pie.
I say, do it!
From there I went back for a nap (seriously, I did!) and fell right to sleep as the bed in my room was mega comfortable.
I being either super full or super sleepy when I was in my room, neglected to take a proper photo! Here is what my room looked like:
At 3:00 we had the media pre-screening of all the SPAM dishes followed by the festival, all of which I included in my write up about the SPAMJam.
One of the best things about the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort was that is located in the heart of SPAMJam, so when I needed a little break from all that eating, I just slipped into my room for a rest (and I actually watched the festivities from terrace (my room was on the side where I had a view of both the water and the street – perfect!).
I slipped back out for chef interviews and then called it a night, and had another fantastic night of sleep before heading back to San Francisco. There is just something about sleeping next to the ocean.
I would have loved to stay longer and experience more of what Outrigger calls Ke ‘Ano Wa’a (see what that encompasses in my interview with Bitsy Kelley) but it was just a super quick weekend trip, so I am hoping to stay at an Outrigger Resort property in the future to soak up more of the Outrigger atmosphere.
My weekend was fantastic and I have to thank Outrigger Resorts once again for inviting me to SPAMJam and showing me their wonderful hospitality and sponsoring my trip.
How about you? Have you been to Waikiki? How about an Outrigger Resort? Where would you like to stay out of all their locations?
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May 14, 2015
I have never had the pleasure of visiting Waikiki – but I would love to! And when I do I will absolutely check out The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort – it looks incredible!
May 15, 2015
A very interesting blog about Waikiki. Gives one a good idea of what to do and where to go if one is planning a trip. Useful info.
June 15, 2015
@Jan, Waikiki is alive with tons to do, it is not difficult to find great things to do and eat.
June 15, 2015
@Jaclyn, it is a great resort!
May 14, 2015
Is it sad that even though this place looks gorgeous, all that I can think of is how I would have loved to have tried all of that SPAM?! LOL
June 15, 2015
@Jess, the SPAM was amazing!
May 14, 2015
Seriously amazing pics!! I so need to plan my vacation, amazing food and place. Perfect for summer with hubby!!
June 15, 2015
@Neha, thanks, it is perfect all year round!
May 15, 2015
I absolutely loved our stays here and what a great review! A piece of my heart will always belong to Waikiki and Hawaii too!
June 15, 2015
@Joanne, so glad to hear I am in good company!
May 15, 2015
This looks like such a fun trip and an amazing adventure! The food and resort look amazing!
June 15, 2015
@Victoria, it was, delicious and delightful!
May 15, 2015
I’ve not been to Hawaii or an Outrigger resort, but I would love to. These pictures are gorgeous! I have never seen water so blue!
June 15, 2015
@Christy, the water is gorgeous!
May 15, 2015
The view & food look amazing!! I am jealous! I hope to visit one day!
June 15, 2015
@Stephanie, it was! I hope you get there!
May 15, 2015
Unfortunately-no I have never been to Hawaii or stayed at one of those hotels-that was some beautiful room you had!! That dessert has my mouth watering!!!
June 15, 2015
@Michele, hopefully one day you you will get a chance to visit.
May 15, 2015
I guess I’ve always made really boring recipes with Spam. The roll ups look great. Wow that pie looks awesome too!
June 15, 2015
@Liz, after the festival I have seen so many ways to use it!
May 15, 2015
I love the outrigger hotel! I live a few blocks away! Dukes is one of my favorite restaurants and absolutely LOVE the hula pie for dessert! 🙂 Awesome post!! Waikiki is the best place to live/travel to! 🙂
June 15, 2015
@Alanna, oh that is dangerous living so close!
May 15, 2015
OMG it is so beautiful!!!! I want to be there!!
May 15, 2015
That Hula pie looks amazing!!! What a fun day of eating you had in Hawaii!
June 15, 2015
@Vera, it was out of this world!
May 15, 2015
I never thought spam would look so good until now. And WOW where it stayed is gorgeous! I’ve never been to Hawaii but it’s on my bucket list!
June 15, 2015
@Brittanie, the SPAM was eye-opening, so many ways to serve and the Outrigger is wonderful!
May 16, 2015
We are planning a trip to Hawaii for our next vacation and it’s been so much fun. I will definitely keep your post in mind and show my husband! ^_^
June 15, 2015
@Amby, I hope you have a fantastic time!
May 16, 2015
I’ve never been to Waikiki but it’s always been a dream of mine. That view from your room, unbelievable! Just beautiful!
June 15, 2015
@Michele, I know it was hard to leave my room, but the SPAM was calling!
May 16, 2015
I haven’t been to Waikiki but I have heard of the Outrigger resorts! This looks wonderful, the views are great, and the Spam theme was awesome LOL.
June 15, 2015
@Tyra, I am just discovering Outrigger resorts, but it has been awesome so far!
May 16, 2015
I wish I could win the lottery and hop on a plane right now! Looks like a great place to stay and an amazing vacation!
June 15, 2015
@Lisa, it is a wonderful place to stay!
May 17, 2015
Though it was a short trip to Hawaii it was definitely a worth it one, I absolutely love the food you have made me so hungry I want to jump into the computer and yes I would paddle to hawaii for that kind of dessert.
June 15, 2015
@Myrabev, it is worth paddling fort!
May 17, 2015
Hawaii really does have some of the best foods!!! I loved eating pulled pork & well anything pork actually while in the islands!
June 15, 2015
@Courtney, I can’t get enough of the pulled pork either!
September 20, 2015
I am literally drooling over that hula pie. Everything is so pretty and even the Spam dishes look yummy. I hope to one day go to Hawaii….I would love to see the glass beach.
September 28, 2015
@Shannon, that hula pie was amazeballs!
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