Penthouse Waikiki Panorama Ocean/Mountain Views

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked into the Penthouse Waikiki Panorama, I wasn’t prepared for just how dramatic those views actually are. I mean, you hear “ocean and mountain views” thrown around a lot in Waikiki, but this place – well, it’s different. The penthouse sits high enough that you’re looking out over most of the mid-rise buildings that crowd the area, and suddenly you’ve got this sweeping vista that takes in both Diamond Head’s distinctive silhouette and the endless Pacific stretching toward the horizon.

What really got me was how the light changes throughout the day. Morning coffee with the mountains catching that soft golden glow, then by afternoon you’re watching surfers catch waves at spots you can actually pick out from up there – not just the crowded breaks right in front of the hotels, but some of the lesser-known spots that locals paddle out to. The trade winds hit the penthouse differently too, creating this cross-breeze that actually keeps things comfortable even when it’s blazing hot down at street level. You know what surprised me most? How quiet it gets up there. Waikiki can be pretty intense with the traffic on Kalakaua Avenue and all the beach activity, but the penthouse feels removed from that chaos without being disconnected from it.

The space itself has this lived-in quality that a lot of vacation rentals miss – I’m talking about real books on the shelves, not just decorative ones, and a kitchen that’s actually stocked for cooking (which matters if you want to grab some fresh poke from Foodland and eat it while watching the sunset instead of fighting for a restaurant table). The furnishings aren’t trying too hard to be “tropical” either, which I appreciated. Clean lines, comfortable seating that faces those windows properly, and honestly, the shower pressure was fantastic – something you don’t always get in older Waikiki buildings.

Parking can be a bit of a puzzle in this part of town, so definitely ask about that when you book. And if you’re planning to be here during peak season – basically December through March – you’ll want to reserve dinner spots in advance since you’re within walking distance of some of Honolulu’s best restaurants, but so is everyone else staying in the area. The building itself sits on a quieter side street, which means you’re not dealing with the constant stream of tour buses and street performers, but you’re still only about a five-minute walk to the beach and maybe ten minutes to the heart of the strip where all the action is. I’d honestly stay here again – it’s that sweet spot where you feel like you’re experiencing the real Waikiki magic without getting overwhelmed by it.

Facilities