We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
All 82 Honolulu hotels

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort: Traveler Reviews

5.0 of 5
2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815
Hotel website
Hotel deals
Hotel amenities
Special Offer
Book Early and Save
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
Enter dates for best prices
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
Show Prices
Compare best prices from top travel partners
Expedia.com Booking.com LuxuryCollection
and 11 more sites!
81%
Ranked #16 of 82 hotels in Honolulu
Most recent review
Write a Review

1,346 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    766
    317
    165
    56
    42
See reviews for
Families
365
 
Couples
668
 
Solo
51
 
Business
59
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4 of 5 stars
  • Value
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Sydney, Australia
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
10 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Luxury on the beach - you must stay at least once”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 12, 2012

Always wanted to stay at 'The Pink Palace'. The grounds are as beautiful as everyone says and the location on Waikiki beach is perfect. Prices within the hotel incl. chair hire on the beach, food + general amenities are pricey - even for a well travelled holiday goer.
It was a really enjoyable experience however if you are going to stay here, I would advise staying in a Beach View room.
We stayed in the Garden Room and would have enjoyed the hotel and experience much more with a beach view.
Rooms are very feminine and grandeur in style, with great beds. There was a lovely gesture of Banana Bread in room and lei's on arrival.
Service overall good but wished front desk was a little more accommodating as we had requested a change of room for Beach view (which we never do) but felt we kept having to chase it up with concierge.
All in all a great experience and an experience you have to try once, but next time will consider Ala Moana.
Also, we didn't use the pool at all as it was constantly full and lots of kids, preferred to stay on the beach front (beige chairs not pink). Also must note: it can get noisy!

Room Tip: Would suggest a Beach Tower Room
See more room tips
  • Stayed August 2012, traveled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Jmapelle_Sofi about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RHCoordinator, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, responded to this review
November 13, 2012
Aloha Jmapelle_Sofi,

Mahalo for your kind compliments of The Royal Hawaiian. For a global traveler such as yourself, it is an honor to have you recognize that “a great experience and an experience you have to try once,” as we truly take pride in providing experiences that are beyond expectation. Hearing feedback from guests such as you is one of the many reasons our ambassadors are so proud to be a part of The Royal Hawaiian. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nashua, New Hampshire
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Second Oldest, But You Wouldn't Know it.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 11, 2012

Lovely. Nice, clean, comfortable rooms. Lots of pink, but not a draw back. It looks lovely. People are very nice and want to make your stay a great experience. The staff is very attentive to your needs. The view from our room was magnaficent. Food and drinks very good. Excellent service. Nice pool, but small. About 18 umbrellas around it. Not enough in the intense sun or for a hotel this size. We paid a resort fee, which I don't mind paying, but if you want a lounge chair on the beach it is an additional $40.00 a day or $20.00 for an hour. Take the free tour of the hotel. Lots of history about the hotel and the island.

Room Tip: All rooms are probaly lovely. Ocean view is magnaficent, but more expensive than garden. Air condi...
See more room tips
  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Pat L about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RHCoordinator, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, responded to this review
November 13, 2012
Aloha Pat L,

Mahalo for taking the time to submit your review and for choosing The Royal Hawaiian for your Hawaiian vacation. We truly appreciate your feedback and endorsement of our resort. I will be sure to share your kind comments with the Royal ambassadors. We take great pride in providing exceptional care of our guests and are happy to hear that you experienced it first hand. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Royal Hawaiian as our ohana.

With warmest aloha,
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
St Paul, MN
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
“Quiet Gem on Waikiki Beach”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 10, 2012

I visited my son who lives in Honolulu last week. I have been to Honolulu on two other occasions and this time I wanted a quiet hotel. The Royal Hawaiian was the perfect choice. It is a beautiful hotel hidden away from the busy street. The grounds are lovely with trees, flowers and a small park in the middle of the buildings. It was so easy to forget the madness of the area. There are many quiet areas to sit and relax and read. I loved the rocking chairs on the porch.Yet I was close enough to walk the beautiful paths to the shopping area.I stayed in the ocean tower. The room was basic but had all of the amenities I needed. The view from the balcony was lovely. On the first day I rented 2 chairs and an umbrella on the beach for $42.00. I enjoyed the beach but did not like the crowd. The beach in front of the hotel is one of the best on Waikiki but crowded. All of other days I lounged at the small pool. It was just what I was looking for. The chairs are free but the setting is peaceful and lovely. The pool is small but perfect for a quick dip. I was within feet of the ocean yet away from the crowds. The pool attendant was attentive with ice water and afternoon pineapple. Drinks were very good especially the mai tais and citrus lemonade. The lunches at the beach restaurant could be eaten at the pool and were very good.
The hotel is centrally located and very close to the many excellent restaurants.
My son took me to secluded beautiful beaches on the east and north shore. They are the real Hawaii and if you can I strongly recommend a visit.

Aloha

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Mexicomamma about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RHCoordinator, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, responded to this review
November 13, 2012
Aloha doeeyesNc,

Mahalo for the gracious review. Our staff truly takes pride in providing service that is beyond expectation. Hearing feedback from guests such as you is one of the many reasons ambassadors are so proud to be a part of the "Quiet Gem of Waikiki Beach." We look forward to welcoming you back to The Royal Hawaiian, the luxury destination of Waikiki. Warmest aloha,
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NC
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Historic charm, wonderful service, best spot on Waikiki”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 9, 2012 via mobile

Recently stayed here for our anniversary and was very pleased. I fell in love with the hotel itself, and the staff made us feel very special during our stay. The hotel was built in the 20's so it offers historic charm with modern amenities. The location was perfect: a little set away from the strip and at the very end of Waikiki beach; perfect for watching sunsets. We stayed in a royal grove room which could be noisy (there is an upscale retail mall outside your window), but generally the noise died down after 10pm or a little later on the weekends. It was not a problem for us. Waikiki is bustling and noisy in general. There is a resort fee, but it was plainly stated before booking and upon check in, so it was not a surprise. It covers valet service and wifi. We loved the drinks at Mai Tai Bar, but the food was a little pricey for what you got. However, it comes with a Waikiki beach view! So, it's not a real complaint! We ate at Azure which was good, but not amazing. The only thing I think I would have enjoyed more would have been more historic info about the hotel and Waikiki dotted around the grounds. At turndown service, small cards were placed bedside that told a short story about the hotel. There were also some photos on the walls of the hotel at an earlier period. We chose the hotel for it's historic charm, so we would have welcomed more information or even a small display of things from its past. Also, the restaurant would have been more memorable if the hotel's historic charm came through somehow. The music and lighting wasn't distinguishable from many other upscale tropical city hotels. The vibe was cool, but a little distancing. Overall though, really loved this hotel and thank them for making us feel so special. I won't include any other details, but if you are going for your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to tell them!

Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask doeeyesNc about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RHCoordinator, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, responded to this review
November 13, 2012
Aloha doeeyesNc,

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback about your most recent stay. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional experiences for our guests. We appreciate your kind comments about the attentive staff and how they made “you feel very special during your stay.” We were equally thrilled to hear that you were enchanted by the “historic charm” and “modern amenities” of the resort.

Your feedback will be shared with our senior management team. We look forward to welcoming you back to our island home. Warmest aloha,
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lighthouse Point, Florida
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Character and Class, like no other!!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 9, 2012

My husband had booked an oceanfront junior suite. When we arrived we were greeted with beautiful orchid leis and a delicious tropical punch. Roland at guest services upgraded us through our Starwood Preferred to the Nani Pumehana Garden Suite on the second floor in the historical section. Roland was very accommodating by letting us view several suites as they all vary slightly to get the criteria we were looking for. The oceanfront junior suite was 540 square feet and the garden suite was considerably larger. The suite was beautiful with it's tasteful tropical decor and was well appointed. The only down side is it looks into the spa cabana, but who can complain with having such a nice upgrade. All the hotel staff were friendly and first rate from housekeeping, valet, Bob our beach attendant, concierge, restaurant staff and Michele in Guest Services. As owners of resort restaurants we are very critical of customer service and were pleasantly surprised as our expectations were exceeded at The Royal Hawaiian. There is nothing like the charm and history of the great Pink Palace with it's beautiful architectural detail and craftsmanship of days gone by. A must is the Aha'aina Luau, a bit pricey but the show was well worth it. The location of the Royal Hawaiian is bar none the best in all of Waikiki. Beach location is breathtaking with the view of Diamond Head and to the side of the hotel are world class shopping malls with everything imaginable all within walking distance. We truly enjoyed our experience and will definitely be back!

Room Tip: Become a Starwood Preferred guest.
See more room tips
  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Yvonne H about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RHCoordinator, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, responded to this review
November 15, 2012
Aloha Yvonne H,

It was a pleasure reading your review and the kind words written about our ambassadors and the love you have for the Resort’s historical charm. It is with great pride to know that as “owners of resort restaurants” you are very “critical of customer service and were pleasantly surprised” as your “expectations were exceeded at The Royal Hawaiian.”

We believe The Royal Hawaiian epitomizes the elegance and grace unique in the Hawaiian value of ho’okipa. This is the welcoming of guests and strangers alike with complete generosity of Aloha spirit and hospitality. Hearing feedback from guests such as you is one of the many reasons our ambassadors are so proud to be a part of The Royal Hawaiian.
We will be sure to share your compliments with our ambassadors. We look forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful island home.
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
 
 
Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk
Great value on a similar hotel
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Highly rated hotels in Honolulu
Luxury
Hilton Waikiki Beach
Hilton Waikiki Beach 4.0 of 5 stars 1,516 reviews
Good for business
Hotel Renew
Hotel Renew 4.5 of 5 stars 1,537 reviews
Near the beach
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach 4.0 of 5 stars 434 reviews
Near the beach
Coconut Waikiki Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Hotel
Coconut Waikiki Hotel, a Joie de... 4.5 of 5 stars 1,190 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d209422?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d596760?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87040?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d86966?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Travelers also viewed these Honolulu hotels
Trump International Hotel Waikik... 4.5 of 5 stars 923 reviews Halekulani Hotel 4.5 of 5 stars 1,247 reviews Outrigger Reef on the Beach 4.5 of 5 stars 2,764 reviews Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki ... 4.0 of 5 stars 5,263 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1484551?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d90015?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87052?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87016?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 82 hotels in Honolulu, ranked by popularity

Been to The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort

Also Known As:
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Hotel Honolulu
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Royal Hawaiian
Royal Hawaiian Honolulu
Royal Hawaiian Hotel
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort Hawaii/Honolulu
Address: 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Hawaii > Oahu > Honolulu
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Business Center Fitness Center Kids Activities Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#1 Romantic Hotels in Honolulu
#8 On the Beach Hotels in Honolulu
#8 Luxury Hotels in Honolulu
#9 Business Hotels in Honolulu
#15 Family Hotels in Honolulu
Price Range: $$$$
Hotel Class:5 star (5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Royal Hawaiian, a Waikiki Beach Hotel, has Abhasa Spa, renowned restaurants, and a pool with a waterslide and cabanas. We have gorgeous indoor and outdoor event space for weddings and meetings. ... more   less 
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Expedia, Booking.com, Starwood, Hotels.com, BookIt.com, Amex, Otel, Travelocity, Venere, Olotels, Stentorian NV, Priceline, HotelsClick and Tingo so you can book your The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
Enter dates & see best prices*
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
Show Prices