Starbucks - Honolulu (Atkinson Dr Ala Moana Hotel)

Service is good but the coffee is very ordinary. Take the time to walk to the mall and you will find better options.

This Starbucks has become my go-to business coffee-meeting spot. I set meetings here multiple days a week to talk story with various clients, etc., because it’s conveniently located and checks all the boxes. Unlike a lot of the newer Starbucks, this place has a limitless amount of seating (sofas, chairs, tables) and is bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. The staff is friendly and seems to recognize my name and face now from my frequent mobile orders that I initiate as I walk over from my condo. This location is inside the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel, not to be confused with the Starbucks inside Macys, which is nothing but a to-go counter.

Cons: You can pay by app, but you can’t redeem rewards. They have unique items specific to this location. The rational - this is a hotel owned Starbucks and not a corporate Starbucks. The barista offered to hold my item just in case the other (corporate) Starbucks in the area didn’t have it - great touch, great customer service. This is not a deal breaker. What is a deal breaker is that one section of dining closes at noon. Why not close the place down all at once. The section that closes down has windows and natural lighting. With COVID already shouting down seating areas, this just adds insult to injury. Pros: Friendly baristas. Helpful baristas. (See the first part of the cons section.). The barista actually offered to set my choice of merchandise aside. The baristas just have an overall sense of happiness and goodwill. My drink was delicious. They have the same menu as corporate. Comfortable seating area. Typical brown, beige, green color scheme that is associated with your average Starbucks. Nice cityscape views. Work/productive ambiance. I’m surrounded by people on computers working hard. Plenty of outlets. Clientele ranges from professionals to students. Sheltered space. No homeless people would make it past security, depending on your mood and/or frame of reference this could be a good or bad thing.