The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki Overview
You know what hits you first at The Royal Hawaiian? It’s that salmon pink facade that somehow doesn’t look ridiculous despite being, well, bright pink in the middle of Waikiki. I mean, this place has been holding down the same corner since 1927, and honestly, it’s earned the right to be a little dramatic. The locals call it the Pink Palace, and once you’re standing in that lush courtyard with the palm trees swaying overhead, you get why this spot has such a hold on people.
The thing about staying here is that you’re literally in the thick of Waikiki Beach – like, step out the back and you’re on the sand – but the hotel manages to feel surprisingly secluded. They’ve got these gorgeous gardens that create this little oasis effect, which is pretty impressive considering you’re surrounded by high-rises and the constant hum of Kalakaua Avenue. The rooms vary quite a bit depending on which wing you’re in (the newer Malulani Tower has more modern amenities, while the historic wing has more character but can feel a bit dated), but all of them have that tropical elegance thing down pat. I actually loved the lanai in my ocean-view room – you can watch the surfers early in the morning before the crowds hit, and there’s something magical about having your coffee while listening to the waves crash just below.
What really sets this place apart though is how it manages to balance that old-school Hawaiian luxury with actually being functional for modern travelers. The Malulani Pool area gets pretty busy during peak hours, but if you head over around 8 AM or after 4 PM, it’s much more peaceful. The beach service is solid – they’ll set you up with chairs and umbrellas right on Waikiki Beach, which saves you from the whole towel-claiming scramble that happens at other hotels. And here’s a local tip: the hotel’s position means you get some protection from the trade winds that can make other parts of the beach feel a bit choppy. Parking is valet only and runs about $45 a night (yeah, it’s Waikiki pricing), but honestly, you probably won’t need your car much since everything’s walkable. The 8.6 rating feels about right – it’s definitely a special place with incredible location and that historic charm, but you’re paying premium prices for it, and some of the facilities show their age despite the renovations.
To book a hotel in Hawaii during the famous winter whale watching season, visitors should make reservations well in advance as the islands attract tropical paradise seekers and ocean lovers from around the world.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki Accommodations
| Accommodation | Details |
|---|---|
| Historic Room King, Guest room, 1 King, No view | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Historic Room Double, Guest room, 2 Double, No view | 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Mailani Tower Ocean King | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Mailani Tower Ocean 2 Double | 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Historic Garden King, Guest room, King, Garden view | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Historic Garden Double, Guest room, 2 Double, Garden view | 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Historic Ocean King, Guest room, King, Ocean view | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Mailani Premier Ocean King | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Mailani Premier Ocean Double, Balcony | 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Historic Ocean Double, Guest room, 2 Double, Ocean view | 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Historic Garden Jr. Suite, Junior Suite, King or Double | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Historic Ocean Deluxe, Larger Guest room, King or Double | 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children |
| Historic Garden Suite, Suite, King, Garden view | 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Mailani Ocean Corner King | 1 double bed and 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Mailani Loft Suite King | 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children |
| Historic Ocean Suite, Suite, King, Ocean view, Historic Wing | 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Mailani Tower Ocean Suite | 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children |
| Suite, King, Oceanfront | 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children |
| Oceanfront King Room – Hearing Accessible | for 2 adults, 1 child |
| Historic King Room with Resort View – Mobility and Hearing Accessible with Tub | 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child |
| Historic King Room with Ocean View – Mobility and Hearing Accessible with Transfer Shower | 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child |
| Tower Ocean Suite with One King or Two Double Beds and Roll-In Shower – Mobility and Hearing Accessible | for 2 adults, 1 child |
Reviews of The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Melanie from Canada (9/10)
Everything….its a stunning property.
Situated in the heart of Waikiki… it does not disappoint. The staff are so amazing.
Like old Hollywood 🤩🤩🤩🤩Nick from Australia (9/10)
Incredible location, beautiful rooms, and good Mai Tais!
Lucy from Australia (9/10)
Staff went above and beyond at all times.
Richard from New Zealand (9/10)
Beautiful historic hotel located in the heart of Waikiki Beach set in peaceful gardens. For our 11 night stay we were fortunate to be allocated a dual aspect garden king room with a glimpse of the ocean and Diamond Head.
Steven from Canada (9/10)
The hotel had everything you need. We didn’t have to leave the resort because we were so comfortable.
Lysa from United States (9/10)
The best location , could access everything easily and on one of the best beaches. The hotel itself was beautiful!
Kevin from United Kingdom (9/10)
Beautiful hotel!
Patrick from Australia (9/10)
all good
old world charm,
restaurants were good
beach at your doorstep clean sand and safe for kidsIzabelawojcik from Poland (9/10)
Central location but separated from the street by buildings and incredible garden. Architecture and history of the hotel is just amazing, people were coming just to tour it. One of a kind souvenir shops. Room was modern, clean and comfy. Beds were very comfy. View from the ocen view room is just breathtaking. Electronic bidet (more like a Japanese toilet) was a great addition.
Anne from New Zealand (9/10)
It was a luxury experience- everything was wonderful and relaxing
Surroundings
What’s nearby:
- Kuhiobeach: 850 m
- Fort DeRussy: 700 m
- Magic Island: 2.9 km
- Kapiolani Park: 2.6 km
- Kuhio Mini Park: 1.1 km
- Fort Derussy Beach Park: 500 m
- US Army Museum of Hawaii: 600 m
- Ala Wai Neighborhood Park: 2.2 km
- Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park: 1.3 km
- Honolulu Stadium / Old stadium park: 2.5 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Azure: 50 m
- Restaurant Mai Tai Bar: 50 m
- Restaurant Monarch Room at the Royal Hawaiian: 50 m
Top attractions:
- Shangri La: 5 km
- Bishop Museum: 8 km
- Iolani Palace: 5 km
- Lyon Arboretum: 8 km
- Honolulu Museum of Art: 4 km
- Foster Botanical Garden: 6 km
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific: 6 km
Natural beauty:
- Waterfall Manoa Falls: 3.9 km
- Peak Diamond Head (217m): 3.3 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Kuhio Beach: 800 m
- Waikiki Beach: 50 m
- Kahanamoku Beach: 1.3 km
- Fort DeRussy Beach: 400 m
- Queen’s Surf Beach: 1.3 km
Closest airports:
- Molokai Airport: 76 km*
- Kalaupapa Airport: 88 km*
- Honolulu International Airport: 13 km
Facilities
General:
- Designated smoking area
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Car hire
- Lift
- Family rooms
- Barber/beauty shop
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
Parking:
- Valet parking
- Parking garage
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Accessible parking
Outdoors:
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun terrace
- Private beach area
- Terrace
- Garden
Wellness:
- Fitness
- Full body massage
- Hand massage
- Head massage
- Couples massage
- Foot massage
- Neck massage
- Back massage
- Spa lounge/relaxation area
- Steam room
- Spa facilities
- Body wrap
- Body scrub
- Body treatments
- Hair styling
- Hair colouring
- Hair cut
- Waxing services
- Facial treatments
- Beauty Services
- Sun umbrellas
- Sun loungers or beach chairs
- Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- Massage
- Spa and wellness centre
- Fitness centre
Activities:
- Beach
- Hiking
Food & Drink:
- Coffee house on site
- Breakfast in the room
- Bar
- Restaurant
Accessibility:
- Lower bathroom sink
- Higher level toilet
- Toilet with grab rails
- Wheelchair accessible
Languages spoken:
- English
- Japanese
Cleaning services:
- Daily housekeeping
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- 24-hour security
- Safety deposit box
Reception services:
- Concierge service
- Luggage storage
- Tour desk
- Express check-in/check-out
- 24-hour front desk
Business facilities:
- Business centre
- Meeting/banquet facilities
Outdoor swimming pool:
- Open all year
- Pool with view
- Shallow end
- Pool/beach towels
- Sun loungers or beach chairs
Entertainment and family services:
- Babysitting/child services
House Rules at The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Pets:
- Pets are not allowed.
Groups:
- When booking more than 9 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.
Check-in:
- From 15:00
- Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
Check-out:
- Until 12:00
No age restriction:
- There is no age requirement for check-in
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
Guest reviews
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