The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
4.4(4.7K)google
3.7(845)yelp
ResortLuxuryBeachRomantic
Overview
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is a beachfront luxury hotel located in Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. It is part of The Luxury Collection brand of Marriott International. One of the first hotels established in Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian is considered one of the most luxurious and famous hotels in Hawaiian tourism and has hosted numerous celebrities and world dignitaries.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeAffectionately known as 'The Pink Palace of the Pacific,' this historic 1927 Moorish-style luxury landmark is stunning year-round. Explore the historic corridors between 2:00 PM and 5:53 PM when bright sunlight maximizes the contrast of the pink stucco walls against teal umbrellas, concluding with a sunset Mai Tai cocktail.
Getting ThereCommanding prime beachfront real estate at 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu. Drivers cruise Kalakaua Avenue into the grand palm-lined porte-cochère, which offers secure on-site multi-level self-parking and valet systems (validation available at hotel dining outlets). It is also steps from the Royal Hawaiian Center transit stops.
Travel Tips
- Non-guests cannot use standard self-parking; use the premium valet service or seek nearby public garages like Waikiki Shopping Center.
- The iconic pink beachfront cabanas and lounge chairs are strictly reserved for registered hotel guests; non-resident visitors may not occupy them.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- To photograph the historic pink facades without severe harsh shadows, shoot from the ocean-side beach between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM before heavy backlighting.
Reviews
Positive
- Dubbed the 'Pink Palace of the Pacific,' this historic resort carries immense visual impact; the classic Moorish pink architecture against Waikiki's azure waters is dreamlike—a legendary aesthetic landmark.
- The location is flawlessly convenient with elite transit! It sits right on Waikiki's golden beachfront sand, seamlessly connecting internally to the Royal Hawaiian Center; transit via bus, trolley, or driving is easy.
- The service and management beautifully define luxury; staff exhibit premium Aloha warmth. Facilities are gorgeously maintained, featuring iconic pink umbrellas, pristine pools, and high-spec accessible paths.
- The resort hosts the beachside Mai Tai Bar and traditional royal Luau dinner shows, offering high cultural value. Amid bustling Waikiki, its lush tropical palm gardens preserve a rare, serene aristocratic vibe.
Heads up
- Internal secondary spending and room rates are outrageously steep! On top of sky-high prices, they force a hefty nightly resort fee, and valet driving parking is crazy expensive, yielding low value for casual tourists.
- Due to its long historic layout, select entry-level rooms in the old wing are tight and cramped with lackluster soundproofing; select gear feels slightly aged from humid sea air, carrying a touch of historical catfish marketing.
- The golden beachfront directly in front experiences explosive visitor density; though the hotel deploys exclusive pink sand loungers, renting those umbrellas requires high secondary fees, mixing crowds noisily.
- Because of its massive fame, daytime public palm corridors and non-guest zones are swarmed with floating crowds snapping photos, and large tour groups walking through can disrupt the core privacy and safety quiet.