Honolulu hotels

Kaimana Beach Hotel sits right on the sand, so it’s easy to spend an entire day right there on the property. And let me tell you, it sure doesn’t hurt that the beach is one of the quietest in Honolulu. When I visited, I dined at Hau Tree Restaurant’s open-air terrace, sat in a complimentary Peligo beach chair to soak up some vitamin D and worked on my wave-catching skills at Kai Sallas’ on-site surf school.
On my list for next time: snorkel the shallow reef, bike through the neighborhood (Electra cruisers are complimentary for guests) and take a sunset yoga class with Diamond Head as my backdrop. Hands down, my favorite thing about this hotel is the bold boho lobby. With its framed artwork collage and repurposed furniture, it’s one of the most photographed in all of Waikiki.

The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, one of the top-rated hotels in Honolulu, is a place your whole crew will dig – even your four-legged family members. Dog-walking and doggie daycare is available, plus there are no pet fees. If your dog loves the ocean, consider canine-friendly stand-up paddleboarding or surf lessons with SUPDog Hawaii, who even have a pro photographer on staff to document the fun.
Located two blocks from the beach, this hotel offers the perfect combo of nostalgia and modern design, from the “Wish You Were Here” mosaic on the bottom of the pool to the whimsical paintings that decorate its kitchy-classy interior. For meals, Mahina & Sun’s is a solid choice. Try Kauai shrimp risotto, Taro burgers, and handcrafted cocktails.
It’s within walking distance of the Royal Hawaiian Center shopping mall, so if you forget to bring sunscreen, you can just pop right over. The hotel’s rotating calendar of events includes dance parties, markets, and movie nights.

There’s a lot to love about Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Kids will appreciate weekly tank talks at the 280,000-gallon oceanarium, which houses 350 protected marine creatures and daily fish feedings with on-site aquarists.
Once you’ve had your fill of the life aquatic, there are rooftop batting cages and tennis courts. Adults will love dining at Morimoto Asia, going to Drip Hawaii, Waikiki’s first IV lounge and med spa and hitting up the sustainable happy hour menu at SWELL.
Top off the day with sunset yoga and take in the ambiance of the Light Monument, a video art installation projected on the 17-floor beachside tower. When it’s time to hit the beach, you don’t have far to go: it’s an easy walk from the hotel. Once you’re there, use resort credits to rent surfboards, umbrellas and snorkels.

With welcome baskets stocked with slippers, reusable water bottles, snacks, and chocolates on arrival, Laylow Waikiki, one of the best hotels to stay in Honolulu, will have you at aloha. This super stylish hotel in the heart of Waikiki is mid-century modern at its best.
The on-site restaurant Hideout serves modern Hawaiian meals with a side of live entertainment, carefully crafted cocktails, and brunch every Sunday (may I suggest buckwheat pancakes topped with macadamia nut butter? A uniquely Hawaiian taste experience!).
Take ukulele lessons, lei-making classes or snag some R&R poolside, all the while enjoying frozen fruit snacks and shave ice to cool you down. When you’re ready to venture out, grab cruiser bikes and make a beeline for the beach.

When you walk into the Halepuna resort hotel, it’s clear that the creators carefully considered every detail – from the artfully designed common spaces and rooms stocked with commissioned works by local artists to the holistic focus on wellness.
When you get hungry, head to the bakery next to the lobby or walk across the street to sister hotel Halekulani. Schedule sunset dinner at House Without a Key, an iconic restaurant made famous by an Earl Derr Biggers novel of the same name. Live music and locally-inspired dishes under a 136-year-kiawe tree are sure to make you smile.
I noshed on the roasted beet salad, hamachi kama, and the signature steamed onaga (a local fish) along with a heaping side of sweet potato mash made with coconut milk. Nightly music and hula start at 5 pm. Still haven’t made up your mind? Your room key gives you free entry to the Bishop Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Manoa Heritage Center.

The six-story, 400-room Royal Hawaiian has been wowing travelers since it opened in 1927. Its Spanish-Moorish architecture is inspired by movie star Rudolph Valentino, and the fact that it’s pink – it’s affectionately known by locals as the Pink Palace – makes it stand out in a good way as one of the unique hotels in Honolulu.
Choose between rooms in the Mailani Tower, which boast ocean views, and rooms in the Historic Tower, where the rose-tinted quarters are worthy of an Instagram room tour.
Start your day by ordering a stack of the famous Pink Palace Pancakes and wind down by making leis (a garland or necklace of flowers given in Hawaii as a token of welcome or farewell), taking hula lessons or signing yourself up for a historical tour to learn about the hotel’s royal ties. Fun fact: Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace was located in what is now the hotel’s courtyard.

There’s so much to love about the Ritz, part of the Marriott Bonvoy Hawaii. For starters, the rooms are spacious, making multi-generational travel easier. There’s also a poolside tradition each day at 2 p.m. where your family can choose from rotating flavors of locally made ice cream like ube (purple yam) or sweet guava sorbet.
Venture beyond the hotel and have the concierge arrange a visit to Kualoa Ranch for a hands-on experience in the wetland taro field to learn traditional Hawaiian farming. The lava-rock slide at Diamond Head Tower along with the Toto toilet in each room (complete with seat warmer and bidet), will score points with any kid. Adults will be in wellness heaven at the spa, the two infinity pools, and the resort’s two hot tubs.

The first thing you’ll notice when settling into your room at the Prince Waikiki is how spacious it feels, thanks to the high ceilings and large windows. First stop: 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar where almost all the produce (lettuce, lilikoi, edible flowers, garlic chives, chili peppers, and yuzu) comes either from the hotel’s rooftop garden or local farmers.
The larger garden at Hawaii Prince Golf Club is home to beehives, aquaponics, taro root, papaya, citrus trees, lychee, mango, and Hawaiian sugar cane. Spend time at the infinity pool, poolside bar, and pool deck, or learn to make a papale nui, a hand-woven coconut palm hat.
The best part is, if you want to do a bit of shopping, it’s an easy walk to Ala Moana Center. While you’re at it, pop over to the Honolulu Museum of Art – the hotel offers guests complimentary admission.

It comes as no surprise that Moana Surfrider is known as the “First Lady of Waikiki.” It was the first luxury hotel to be built in Honolulu and has stayed like that over the years. After all, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Choose from 20 different types of rooms and several open-air restaurants.
Here’s a personal recommendation: make sure to capture photos by the grand staircase. After breakfast at The Veranda (think mochiko waffles and mango pancakes), while away the day in a rocking chair or sign yourself up for a deep-tissue massage and a honey sugar scrub at the Moana Lani Spa.
Enjoy daily morning yoga, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing lessons, and guided historical walks.

The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a place the whole family will love and one of the best hotels in Honolulu. The one-acre Queensbreak pool, for example, is what vacation dreams are made of. I am talking about two heated pools, an extra-large whirlpool, a play area, bar and lounge areas with firepits and cabanas. Invite your friends to join you with a Resort Pass that grants them day access to the pool.
Give back to the island with a trip to Kualoa Ranch as part of the Malama Hawaii program. Back at the hotel, kids will adore the game room that houses pool tables, foosball, two shuffleboard courts, air hockey, and movie night at the pool.
Fuel up at the resort’s luau, held three times a week. Watch impressive fire knife champs, hula dancers, and keiki (children) performers. You can also dine at the resort’s five restaurants.