Waikiki has more hotel rooms than any other destination in Hawaii, and the range is enormous. This guide cuts through the options to identify the best properties at every level.
The Royal Hawaiian has been the defining address on Waikiki Beach since it opened in 1927, and the pink Moorish-Spanish towers remain the most recognizable landmark on the strip. The hotel sits directly on the beach (one of only a handful of Waikiki properties with true beachfront access) and the Mai Tai Bar, set on the sand under torches at sunset, is the most atmospheric bar in Hawaii. Now part of the Marriott Luxury Collection, the Royal Hawaiian has been carefully restored without losing its historic character. The rooms in the historic wing are smaller than the modern tower but far more evocative; request a high floor in the historic wing for the best combination of character and views. The Moana Surfrider, which opened in 1901 as the first hotel in Waikiki, is the oldest hotel in Hawaii and one of the oldest resort hotels in the United States. The original Colonial-style main building (the Banyan Wing) is centered on a vast banyan tree planted in 1904, and the Banyan Court terrace is one of the most pleasant places in Waikiki for afternoon tea or an evening cocktail. Now managed by Westin, the hotel has been expanded with a modern tower, but the historic wing retains its period charm. The beachfront position is excellent and the service standard is high. Halekulani is the finest hotel in Waikiki by a significant margin; a low-rise property that occupies a prime beachfront position and operates at a level of refinement that is rare in a resort destination. The rooms are large, the service is attentive without being intrusive, and the hotel is one of the very few in Waikiki that does not charge a resort fee. La Mer, the hotel's flagship restaurant, is the most formally elegant dining room in Hawaii, serving French technique applied to Hawaiian ingredients in a setting that overlooks the ocean. Orchids, the more casual restaurant, is excellent for breakfast and Sunday brunch. Halekulani is not the cheapest option in Waikiki, but it is the best value at the luxury level. The Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is the best hotel on the island for families and for travelers who want a resort experience away from the crowds of Waikiki. Located on the west side of Oahu, about 30 minutes from Honolulu, Ko Olina is a planned resort community built around four man-made lagoons with calm, swimmable water. The Four Seasons occupies the best position on the best lagoon, with a pool complex that is the finest on the island, multiple pools, a lazy river, and a dedicated children's pool. The west-facing position means spectacular sunsets from the beach every evening. Turtle Bay Resort is the only full-service resort on the North Shore, a 1,300-acre property on a dramatic headland at the northern tip of Oahu. The location is unlike anything else on the island; surrounded by ocean on three sides, with two golf courses, five miles of coastline, and surf breaks directly accessible from the property. Surf lessons, horseback riding, and seasonal whale watching are available on-site. The rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious, and the property has a relaxed, unpretentious character that suits the North Shore perfectly. The 45-minute drive from Honolulu is a feature, not a bug. The Ala Moana Hotel is the best non-beach option in Honolulu; a large, well-run hotel connected by a walkway to Ala Moana Center, the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Ala Moana Beach Park, which is the preferred beach of Honolulu residents and significantly less crowded than Waikiki. The rates are meaningfully lower than comparable Waikiki properties, and the central location makes it easy to reach both Waikiki and the airport. A good choice for travelers who prioritize value and convenience over beachfront access. The Laylow Autograph Collection is the best design hotel in Waikiki; a mid-century modern boutique property that opened in 2017 and immediately became the most stylish address in the neighborhood. The architecture references Hawaii's 1960s resort aesthetic with clean lines, tropical landscaping, and a pool that feels more like a private club than a hotel amenity. The Hideout restaurant is one of the better hotel restaurants in Waikiki. The location is one block from the beach rather than on it, which is reflected in the rates; meaningfully lower than the beachfront properties for a product that is in many ways more interesting. Booking tips for Waikiki: the resort fee situation is significant and nearly universal; most Waikiki hotels charge $35–$50 per night on top of the room rate, covering amenities like Wi-Fi, beach chairs, and fitness center access. Always factor this into price comparisons. Diamond Head view rooms command a premium but are worth it for the iconic backdrop; true oceanfront rooms are rarer and more expensive than the marketing suggests. High season runs December through March and June through August; the shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October offer the best combination of good weather and lower rates.
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