Honolulu is home to some 47,000 hotel rooms. And while it’s virtually impossible to have a bad time in paradise, some of these establishments are in an elite league of their own. Like the very best wines or a timeless rock ‘n’ roll record, the superiority lies in the details.
Finding the perfect hotel can be a challenge, and I’ve definitely been there — booking a hotel room, only to realize it’s in a sketchy part of town, miles away from the nearest beach. But don’t worry, we won’t let that happen to you. Honolulu, one of the top destinations in Hawaii, offers an array of stunning hotels that guarantee a memorable experience with prime locations, luxurious amenities, and views you won’t get anywhere else. These are not only some of the best hotels in Honolulu, but the best hotels in Hawaii (and perhaps even the world).
Sheraton Waikiki
The Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort just completed a massive renovation, and it shows. The $200 million facelift involved upgrades to all 1,636 rooms of the sizable hotel. The hotel is a beehive of activity, home to a sprawling lobby and a great pool with waterslides and a pair of hot tubs. Hungry guests should get brunch at Kai Market, home of satisfying options like paniolo steak and eggs, fluffy kahanamoku buttermilk pancakes, and balanced Mai Tai cocktails.
Highlights of the hotel include the oceanfront infinity pool — the largest of its kind in North America, a relatively quiet little private beach, an expansive, upscale shopping center on the main floor, and four onsite restaurants. Sustainability is a big part of the program as the hotel was the first in the state to offer EV charging stations and has achieved the LEED Gold Certified status. Larger groups or families are advised to book a spectacular Ohana suite, complete with a pair of lanais, a pair of bedrooms, and a roomy floor plan, along with one of the best views of Diamond Head in Waikiki.
Royal Hawaiian
The Royal Hawaiian is pure class, a gorgeous mixture of pink and green, and lovely architectural accents. A stroll through this hotel’s lobby is an absolute dream (and film buffs will recognize the iconic archway from Punch Drunk Love). The hotel boasts 528 rooms and 34 suites across the historic wing and Mailani Tower. There’s elegance around every corner, and even the aroma is captivating, a fresh mix of gardenia and jasmine.
The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927 and has since been deemed “the pink palace of the Pacific.” Seek out the baked goods at the shop on the main floor and take in the grounds in the evening when the pink lights illuminate the relaxing, jungle-like vegetation. Check out the Mai Tai Bar for a namesake cocktail (the first Waikiki hotel to offer the drink back in 1953) and the Surf Lanai for decadent short rib benedict or something healthier like a gravlax bagel and fresh papaya.
The Aha Aina luau is a must — equal parts educational and entertaining. The live band is razor sharp, the dancers are gifted, and the host tells a mean story. While a lot of luau food tends to be an afterthought, it’s white tablecloth caliber at the Royal Hawaiian, involving dishes like lobster tail and beef tenderloin along with well-made cocktails and beautiful presentation. The luau takes place on Mondays and Thursdays on sacred grounds where Hawaiian royalty once gathered. Like the Sheraton, the Royal Hawaiian is also LEED Gold Certified.
Moana Surfrider
The first hotel in Waikiki, the Moana Surfrider, has an original structure dating back to 1901. The building is a true wonder, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The place is home to the island’s first electric elevator, enormous hallways, towering columns, and eye-catching carpet featuring local flora such as breadfruit.
Skip the beach bar and opt for an authentic tea ceremony. From the airy veranda overlooking a banyan tree as old as the hotel itself, one can do some time traveling in between bites of finger sandwiches and pastries and sips of Hawaiian coconut or passion orange guava tea. The experience makes for a memorable lunch, is even kid-friendly (the little ones get teapots full of juice or milk), and feels like a luxury enterprise plucked straight from the Victorian era.
Be sure to walk around the main lobby and snag a rocking chair on the main balcony above the entrance for world-class people-watching. Historic artifacts and old photographs are peppered throughout the well-appointed original building, and the energy of Waikiki is palpable here.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
The Kahala Hotel & Resort stands as Hawaii’s reigning luxury resort and is located just minutes away from the shopping and entertainment of Waikiki. Set on a secluded beach, this five-star hotel is famous for attracting presidents, royalty, and celebrities alike.
Guests at the Kahala are treated to signature experiences like “Dolphin Quest,”which is a one-of-a-kind program set in a 26,000-square-foot natural lagoon where you can get up close and personal with dolphins. The resort is also home to the Kahala Shopping Gallery, a luxury shopping arcade featuring unique boutiques and designer stores.
You can also visit the Kahala Spa for rejuvenating treatments, or take a dip in the oceanfront swimming pool with amazing views of the Pacific. On top of its luxurious amenities, the resort is committed to sustainability and cultural preservation through its Kahala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture, and the Arts (KISCA).
Halekulani Hotel
One of the best hotels in Honolulu, Halekulani has been welcoming guests for over a century. Known for its impeccable service and luxurious accommodations, this iconic hotel offers rooms that provide the ultimate comfort. The Premier Suites are especially remarkable, offering amazing views of Waikiki Beach, the Pacific Ocean, and Diamond Head. Guests staying in the Premier Suites also have the exclusive opportunity to reserve a personalized spa experience, with options like massage, reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture, or even personal training sessions.
When it comes to dining, Halekulani’s La Mer restaurant stands out as an AAA Five Diamond and Forbes 5-Star dining experience. If you prefer an active start to your day, join a guided morning stretch on the beach or book a personal training session to keep your body in motion. For those looking to immerse themselves in the surf culture of Hawaii, Halekulani offers “The Art of Surfing” experience. This unique activity provides an expert-led introduction to Hawaiian waters, the birthplace of surfing, teaching you about the influence of half moon phases on waves and ensuring you’re equipped with a hand-shaped surfboard tailored just for you.
There is no shortage of hotels in Hawaii, but all of the above stand out in all the best ways. Now’s a great time to escape the droll of the cold weather on the mainland and take in some sun in Hawaii. The wildfires are a thing of the past, and the islands could use some of your tourism.
