Imperial Hawaii Resort

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to the Imperial Hawaii Resort, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes you get pleasantly surprised. This isn’t one of those massive resort complexes where you feel like cattle being herded around, and honestly, that worked in its favor.

The thing that struck me right away was how the staff actually seemed to give a damn. Check-in was smooth (no endless upselling pitch), and the front desk guy – I think his name was Marcus – actually gave me useful local tips instead of just pointing to a generic tourist map. The lobby has this sort of retro Hawaiian vibe that could’ve been cheesy but somehow isn’t. There’s real koa wood detailing, not the fake stuff you see everywhere, and they’ve got local artwork that actually tells a story about the area’s history. The pool area is where this place really shines, though. It’s not huge, but it’s tucked away from the main road noise, and there are these massive plumeria trees that drop flowers right into the water – sounds romantic, but fair warning, you’ll be fishing them out if you want a clear swim. The poolside bar makes a mean mai tai, and I mean that literally measured it against some of the pricier spots nearby.

What really won me over was the attention to details that matter when you’re actually staying somewhere, not just visiting for an Instagram shot. The rooms are clean (like, genuinely clean – I checked behind the headboard because, well, you have to these days), and while they’re not fancy, everything works. The AC doesn’t sound like a jet engine, the shower has actual water pressure, and there’s enough outlets for all your devices without having to unplug the bedside lamp. The beds are surprisingly comfortable too – I’m picky about mattresses and expected the worst, but slept better than I have at some 5-star places. You can hear a bit of street noise during the day, but it dies down by 9 PM, and honestly, it’s just the sound of local life happening, which I kind of liked. The continental breakfast isn’t going to win any awards, but they do this local fruit plate that’s actually fresh (rare for hotel breakfast spreads), and the coffee is decent enough that I didn’t need to hunt down a Starbucks first thing.

Here’s the thing – Imperial Hawaii Resort sits in that sweet spot where you’re getting solid value without feeling like you’re roughing it. It’s the kind of place where you can spend your money on experiences instead of just paying for marble countertops you’ll barely notice. The 8.3 rating makes total sense to me. It’s not trying to be something it’s not, but what it does, it does well. If you’re the type who needs heated toilet seats and 24-hour room service, look elsewhere. But if you want a comfortable base camp that feels authentically Hawaiian without the theme park atmosphere, this place gets it right.

Rooms

• Ohia Suite with double bed, 1 double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 2 children
• Banyan Suite with double bed1 large double bed, 1 double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Palm Suite with double bed1 large double bed, 1 double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Koa Suite with large double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Banyan Suite with large double beds, 2 large double beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Koa Suite with large double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Ohia Suite with double bed, 1 double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Palm Suite with large double beds, 2 large double beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Hala Suite with 1 sofa bed and 3 large double beds for 6 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Hala Suite with 1 sofa bed and 3 large double beds for 6 adults, 2 children

Reviews

• Makoto from Japan (9/10)

  The location was the best and it was convenient to go anywhere.

• Michael from Australia (8/10)

  Location was so convenient to everything.

• Barbara from United States (7/10)

  Location

• Laurence from United States (9/10)

  Well arranged and quiet room on the 12th floor with good amenities and kitchenware.
  Once of the best locations, alongside the "Royal Hawaiian " precinct to enjoy and participate in the atmosphere, Waikiki beach, restaurants, etc.

• Silvia from Spain (8/10)

  Great location and wonderful facilities. Very friendly staff.

• Daley from Australia (8/10)

  Location was amazing. Loved the kitchenette and having a separate bedroom from lounge.

• Catherine from Australia (9/10)

  Very clean and great location.

• Melissa from Australia (9/10)

  Was close to all off the facilities that we needed and in a great location

• Jack from Australia (8/10)

  The location was handy. The room was clean and functional. Lots of options are

• Diem from United States (8/10)

  Very convenient location

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities