The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach Hotel

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked into The Ritz-Carlton Residences on Waikiki Beach, I wasn’t sure what to expect – I mean, there are so many luxury hotels packed along this strip that they all start to blur together. But this place? It’s actually different, and not just because you’re staying in what’s essentially a high-end condo rather than a typical hotel room.

The whole setup feels more like you’re borrowing a friend’s ridiculously nice apartment than checking into a hotel. You’ve got full kitchens with Viking appliances (which, let’s be real, most people probably won’t use much, but it’s nice knowing you could whip up breakfast if you wanted to avoid the $30 hotel pancakes), washers and dryers in every unit, and these massive floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Diamond Head like it’s a postcard. The views from the higher floors – well, they’re the kind that make you stand there with your coffee for way too long in the morning, watching the surfers catch waves while the sun hits the water just right. I spent most evenings on the lanai with a drink, and you know what? The sunset views toward the west actually surprised me more than the ocean ones.

What really sets this place apart is how it sits right in the thick of things without feeling chaotic. You’re literally steps from the beach – not the crowded tourist section, but a quieter stretch where locals actually hang out too. The Royal Hawaiian Center is right there when you need shopping or food (though honestly, skip the touristy spots and walk five minutes to get poke from Ono Seafood instead). The infinity pool on the 8th floor is where you’ll want to spend your afternoons – it’s got this zen vibe that’s completely different from the beach scene below, plus the staff actually remembers your drink order after day two. Parking is valet only, which runs about $47 a night (ouch, I know, but that’s Waikiki for you), and the check-in process is surprisingly smooth for such a busy area. The only minor gripe? The elevators can get pretty crowded during peak times when everyone’s heading down to the beach around 10 AM, but that’s sort of expected. The whole experience feels less like a hotel stay and more like temporarily living in paradise – which, considering you’re paying resort prices anyway, is exactly what you want.

Rooms

• Ocean View Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Ocean View Room with 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 2 single beds for 3 adults, 2 children
• Grand Ocean View Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Suite with Ocean View with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Grand One Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Deluxe Two-Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 5 children
• Grand Two Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 5 children
• Premier Two-Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with 4 × 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 5 children
• Grand Three-Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 4 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 8 adults, 7 children
• Premier Three-Bedroom Suite with Ocean View with 4 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 8 adults, 7 children
• Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite with Two Double Beds and Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Corner Room with City and Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Corner Suite with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children

Reviews

• Adrian0388 from Spain (9/10)

  Everything was great! The personnel so kind and gentle. 10/10. We surely come back!

• Caroline from Canada (9/10)

  – Location was fantastic! Hotel was located at the more quiet part of Kalakua Ave. Walkable to restaurants, stores etc without the noise
  – great sound proofing, our room was nice and quiet despite having neighbors on both sides
  – we could see the Friday night fireworks from our balcony
  – love how there is built in filtered water for us by our sink!! They change their filters periodically as well
  – convenient island market downstairs and dean & deluca cafe
  -pool was clean and we love how there is a separate pool for kids and adults so it wasn’t as crowded.
  – the bellhops on the first floor was so kind & meticulous.

• Sigal from Israel (9/10)

  Clean
  Very good staff

• Joanne from United States (9/10)

• Maricar from United States (9/10)

  The Ritz lived up to its reputation! As soon as you pull into the property the valet staff was so welcoming and helpful. The reception was fast and efficient. The room was clean and well supplied with the basics. The place offers to clean and tidy up the rooms on the daily. The pool area and service were superb!!!
  Overall, the location was very ideal. It was not in an area that’s too crowded and loud, but a short walk to the beach, food, and shopping. If you’re a good walker , you might even walk to the Ala Moana mall!

• Audrae from United States (9/10)

  room was clean. Bed was comfortable. and service was outstanding.

• Ineshan from South Africa (9/10)

  The staff were friendly and courteous. The view I had from my room was phenomenal. Hotel is at a great location near the beach and on the main road where all the activity happens. Room was spacious and very comfortable.

• Jiwon from Canada (9/10)

  We stayed in a two bedroom suite facing the ocean and woke up to rainbows every morning!
  The hotel itself is in the best location in Waikiki and we appreciated proximity to all the luxury shops, restaurants and beaches. The D tower is close to a little market downstairs which was really helpful and Dean & Deluca provided some great caffeine fix. We also enjoyed the pool — my 3 yr old niece made some very special memories learning to swim there. The property is sparkling clean, tastefully decorated and very secure with tons of helpful staff at the valet desk which was great for shopping/parking. The kitchen was well stocked with everything you might need, and while we ate out for the most part, it was really great to cook sometimes and do the laundry as we stayed over a week. The suite was very comfortable for our family of 4 adults and 1 kid, and the quality of service was exceptional throughout our stay. From the cleaning staff to bell men to front desk, every single hotel staff we encountered remained courteous, quick and kind. In particular the concierge team, Jordan and Aiko, went above and beyond their ways to make our stay so special for my sister’s wedding and I am so grateful for all their help before, during and after our stay. My mom loved the view and ambience of La Vie restaurant for breakfasts and we enjoyed Friday fireworks twice during our stay, once from the Italian restaurant on site and also from our suite. It is as good as it gets in Waikiki when you have such a luxurious, calm and peaceful home base, especially for a family visit. I also stayed at Kahala resorts before my family arrived and still think that the Ritz was the best choice for the family to spend time together.
  As someone who spends more time at 5 star hotels than my own home, the quality of the staff and service really stood out for me for this property and I look forward to going back❤️🌈

• Michael from United States (8/10)

  The room was very clean. The breakfast was delicious. The staff was very polite and friendly.

• Robert from United States (8/10)

  Everything was so beautiful and clean; having a kitchen on vacation was really nice.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities