Royal Kuhio 2309 – Spacious Studio with Stunning Ocean Views in the Heart of Waikiki!

Hotel Description

You know what hit me first when I walked into Royal Kuhio 2309? The light. I mean, Waikiki studios can feel pretty cramped and dark, but this place actually breathes – probably because whoever designed it knew what they were doing with those ocean-facing windows. The view honestly surprised me, and I’ve stayed in my fair share of Honolulu hotels. You’re looking straight out at that gorgeous stretch of Waikiki Beach, and on clear mornings (which, let’s be real, is most mornings here), you can see all the way to Diamond Head without craning your neck.

The Royal Kuhio building itself sits right in that sweet spot where you’re close enough to walk to everything but far enough from Kalakaua Avenue that you won’t hear the tour buses at 6 AM. I actually appreciated being able to grab coffee at Island Vintage down the street – their açai bowls are ridiculous – then walk maybe three minutes to hit the beach before the crowds show up. The studio’s got this efficient layout that doesn’t feel cramped, which is sort of a miracle in Waikiki real estate. There’s enough counter space to actually spread out your stuff, and the kitchenette works well if you want to grab poke from Foodland Farms instead of dropping $30 on hotel breakfast every day. The bed faces those windows, so you’ll wake up to ocean views, though fair warning – the sunrise comes early and bright, so if you’re not a morning person, you might want to figure out the curtain situation.

What really sold me on this place was how it felt like staying somewhere locals might actually live, not just another tourist box. The building’s got that older Honolulu charm – it’s not shiny and new, but it’s solid and well-maintained. The pool area gets busy in the afternoons, but early morning it’s pretty peaceful if you want to swim some laps. Parking’s included, which honestly saves you like $25 a day compared to most Waikiki spots, and the garage is actually big enough for normal-sized cars (you’d be surprised how many hotel garages feel like they were designed for golf carts). The only minor thing I’d mention is that the elevators can be slow during check-in times – but honestly, that’s pretty much every high-rise in Waikiki. If you’re looking for a place where you can actually relax and enjoy Hawaii instead of just surviving your hotel room, this studio delivers. It’s got that perfect balance of being comfortable enough to hang out in but close enough to everything that you won’t feel stuck.

Rooms

• Apartment with 2 × 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Reviews

• Kumiko from Japan (9/10)

  景色が良い。
  キッチンが綺麗

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities