Pineapples at the Pink Palace
By Kait Hanson
As Mad Men drew to a close last month, I couldn’t help but get sucked into all of the re-runs before the big series finale. My favorite episode is, of course, when Don and Megan travel to Honolulu for their honeymoon and stay at the iconic Royal Hawaiian hotel. Inspired by the episode, I decided to play tourist and check out what the luxurious destination had to offer.
The historic five-star property, affectionately known as “The Pink Palace” thanks to its colorful hue, opened in 1927.
While The Royal Hawaiian does not have a bar called The Coconut Lanai as depicted on the episode (it was a Koa wood prop made specifically for the show), it does feature the Mai Tai Bar, an intimate beachside oasis. I snagged a seat just in time for sunset with a perfect view of Diamond Head.
We were greeted immediately by friendly bar staff and an enticing cocktail menu. Every drink listed offered fresh-squeezed juices and some of the finest liquor selections (think: Grey Goose Melon), all for between $12 and $14.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar manager, Ashley Chandler, told us that the Scratch Mai Tai is the bar’s signature drink and should not be missed. It’s a tropical infusion of pineapple and orange juices, Bacardi Superior, Orange Curacao and finished with a float of Whaler’s dark rum.
Half convinced, I noticed the couple a few seats over enjoying a drink straight from a pineapple.
Ashley explained that the pineapple beverages are an “off-the-menu” type of experience that allows guests to drink a pineapple daiquiri while noshing on the freshly sliced pineapple; however, for me, she would put the Scratch Mai Tai in the pineapple (as pictured here). Talk about service!
The first taste was the perfect blend of tropical juice and a heavy-handed bartender. It was, in other words, love at first sip. The drink itself was very large, so I recommend sharing. Thankfully, I had a good friend with me who was more than happy to take one for the team.
In addition to the Scratch Mai Tai, we also ordered a Pina Colada that tasted of fresh coconut.
Drink selection and atmosphere at the Mai Tai Bar are second to none, which is exactly what I would expect at a luxury resort like The Royal Hawaiian. What I didn’t expect was the abundance of hospitable wait staff and quick service, coupled with knowledgeable bartenders (hello, Mad Men trivia) and live music. I’ll definitely be playing tourist more often, and if you need someone to share a pineapple daiquiri with, I’m your girl.
