Shangri La
Shangri La
4.5
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
Shangri La is a museum for learning about the global cultures of Islamic art and design through exhibitions, digital and educational initiatives, public tours and programs, and community partnerships.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Shangri La and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
627 within 3 miles
Attractions
365 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- bluesmama11Castleton On Hudson, New York4,251 contributionsBeautifully furnished home of exquisite artAmazing place to tour. So interesting and gorgeous, both inside and outside this home. They take you in a shuttle van from the Honolulu Museum of Art and bring you back. Advance tickets are required and then don’t do tours everyday, It’s really wonderful and a must for art lovers.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 25, 2024
- patinhongkongErmoupoli, Greece482 contributionsExquisite Islamic artwork in a truly wonderful locationShari La is the former home of the fabulously wealthy Doris Duke, who built her dream home on this gorgeous peninsula and filled it with superb Islamic art. Visits start and end at the Hawaii Museum of Art in downtown Honolulu from where a bus leaves for the Diamond Head mansion. Once there, curators explain the pieces on show on walls, floors and ceilings, before visitors are allowed time to wander round inside and out and take photographs. Ice cream on the lawn concludes the visit.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 8, 2024
- Trail664933717411 contributionShangri-La Museum and TourThank you for setting it up from JCB Plaza in July 2024. That was a great statement. The presence and priceless Israeli culture suddenly appeared in a quiet residential area. The staff also told us how much they care about keeping this precious heritage alive. Thank you very much. Honolulu became a must-visit place for the next time. We even had some delicious ice cream on the way back.Visited July 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 8, 2024
- drmaderOrinda, California2,998 contributionsBreathtakingWe were told by several friends to go here.. to view Islamic and Moroccon art. Would usually be a museum goer much on a Hawaiian vacation ..occasionally to Pearl harder or state parks but actual Museums here cater to residents probably or if you need a break from sun. This was incredible. From the leafy driveway and grounds , to the pool, fountains, courtyard , and incredible tile work, wooden ceiling, marble bathroom and columns and religious artifacts, stunning ocean view and jetty..we so enjoyed it here ..learning more about this heiress who started collecting at 22 years old. The cliff side setting and stately home was just amazing . Closes annually for renovations in fall, only open TH-Sat normally. Reserve early. A highlight of our trip for sure !Visited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 22, 2024
- WaterloonieSanta Barbara, California1,690 contributionsA beautiful and educational exhibit of Islamic art in the former home of tobacco heiress Doris Duke. Highly recommended.The exquisite seaside former home of Doris Dike is the home of her spectacular collection of Islamic art from around the world. So beautiful and historic, the collection is both educational and breathtaking. Highly recommended.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
953 reviews
Excellent
773
Very good
135
Average
30
Poor
7
Terrible
8
Larry M
Vancouver, Canada423 contributions
Jan 2022
This mansion can only be visited in conjunction with a visit to the Honolulu Museum of Art. You’re taken to the mansion by shuttle from the museum; once there, you have 90 minutes or so to explore the mansion. Staff give a number of (optional) excellent explanatory talks, which are highly recommended, although attending the talks results in a limited amount of time for browsing. Note that reservations must be made for this tour, and when reservations open (see Art Museum Website), they tend to sell out fast. On our tour, there were several standby participants, but some folks were denied access, possibly due to Covid spacing requirements on the shuttle. One great thing about the tour - presumably to entice people to assemble for the return shuttle trip, they serve the absolute best ice cream sandwiches EVER just before the shuttle leaves for the art gallery!
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K Chris F
Kawaguchi, Japan6 contributions
Jul 2023
We booked directly on the HoMA website on June 1 for a date in July.
Easy to recommend. Each group that goes to Shangri La is small, and there are enough tour guides there that you can ask many questions of and get such detailed and passionate answers. If you get the chance, book it -- it's gorgeous.
Easy to recommend. Each group that goes to Shangri La is small, and there are enough tour guides there that you can ask many questions of and get such detailed and passionate answers. If you get the chance, book it -- it's gorgeous.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vonOtter
New York City340 contributions
Feb 2023
When at Honolulu a visit to Doris Duke’s former home, now a museum dedicated to art from the Islamic tradition, is a must see. At every turn beauty surrounds you, ceiling to floor. The glazed, terracotta tiles are the stand-out throughout the house; but those tiles in the Dining Room are breathtaking. Make certain to see Miss Duke’s white marble-clad bathroom; and look up at the ceiling there and in her dressing room. The number of days Shangri La is open are limited, as are the number of guests permitted per tour. The advice is book early, because this gem is not to be missed!
Written March 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin B
Maplewood, NJ29 contributions
Aug 2019
Shangri La is literally like no place else on earth. Although one may criticize Doris Duke for combining elements that would never be seen together (or even in the same country), that is precisely the beauty of the place. It is as unique as the surfing heiress herself. Doris Duke's impeccable taste (and her unlimited funds) is manifested in every element of her home. The tour, which is the only way to experience Shangri La, is amazing. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and engaging, especially for folks who don't know a lot about Islamic and Middle Eastern art and architecture.
Full disclosure: I am an art historian and I had the great good fortune to work on the book Doris Duke's Shangri La: A House in Paradise (2012). The book is full of amazing photographs and stories of Doris Duke's travels and support of local artisans.
Make sure you reserve your tickets early (and plan to spend some additional time at the Honolulu Museum of Art before or after the tour of Shangri La).
Full disclosure: I am an art historian and I had the great good fortune to work on the book Doris Duke's Shangri La: A House in Paradise (2012). The book is full of amazing photographs and stories of Doris Duke's travels and support of local artisans.
Make sure you reserve your tickets early (and plan to spend some additional time at the Honolulu Museum of Art before or after the tour of Shangri La).
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingVegan
Sunnyvale, CA35 contributions
Mar 2020
Tickets through Honolulu Museum of Art, which shuttles you to site near backside of Diamond Head. Includes ticket to Honolulu Museum of Art exhibits after you tour. Tickets sell out quickly with around 30 at a time split into 2 groups for 90 min tour. A very nice collection of islamic art and furnishings/decor and house dating from 1920s and 30s. $25 per person. Great views of coastline. Beautiful grounds.
Honolulu Museum of Art is also a large, fantastic collection of asian art from all ages. Well worth it.
Honolulu Museum of Art is also a large, fantastic collection of asian art from all ages. Well worth it.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
San Diego, California544 contributions
Aug 2022
The former home of heiress Doris Duke becomes Shangri La, a museum of Islamic art and design. The five-acre site is on the ocean with beautifully landscaped grounds. Access is via a fifteen-minute bus ride from the Honolulu Museum of Art. A reservation and additional ticket are required for Shangri La.
The craftmanship of the architectural details is outstanding. Highlights include carved marble panels, amazing detailed walls, ceilings and columns, tile settings on the floors and walls, rare vases and other artwork.
Tour is largely self-guided. Three docents were onsite to answer questions. There were three short oral presentations in the introduction gallery, the central courtyard and the Mihrab gallery. All three presentations were worthwhile. The new Qajar gallery was my favorite.
The craftmanship of the architectural details is outstanding. Highlights include carved marble panels, amazing detailed walls, ceilings and columns, tile settings on the floors and walls, rare vases and other artwork.
Tour is largely self-guided. Three docents were onsite to answer questions. There were three short oral presentations in the introduction gallery, the central courtyard and the Mihrab gallery. All three presentations were worthwhile. The new Qajar gallery was my favorite.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo S
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia49 contributions
Oct 2022
Shangri La is a must do when visiting Oahu. A beautiful property filled with Islamic art from varying periods. The staff on hand were wonderful imparting their knowledge which added to a visitor's appreciation of the art. Be sure to pre-book via the Honolulu Museum of Art. You will be shuttled from the Museum to Shangri La (return); then there is the opportunity to enjoy the art at the Museum.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma
Christchurch, New Zealand517 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We loved our visit to the home of Doris Duke, she has a fascinating story and her home and all of her collections are just out of this world!
I managed to book us tickets for our trip to Hawaii this time around (the last time we were in Hawaii we didn’t realise there are only a set amount of spaces per day and they need to be booked at a certain time).
There are guides there to talk to as you wish and you can wander around at your own leisure taking photos and simply just take it all in. A prime spot over looking the ocean and out to Diamond Head.
Didn’t want to leave!
I managed to book us tickets for our trip to Hawaii this time around (the last time we were in Hawaii we didn’t realise there are only a set amount of spaces per day and they need to be booked at a certain time).
There are guides there to talk to as you wish and you can wander around at your own leisure taking photos and simply just take it all in. A prime spot over looking the ocean and out to Diamond Head.
Didn’t want to leave!
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HKS2014
Wailea, HI35 contributions
Dec 2019
I have been to O'ahu many times but this was my first visit to Doris Duke's home. The visit was arranged by our son, who first took us to the Honolulu Museum of Art. Had a lovely lunch there before boarding a bus that took us to Shangri-La. While arriving to Shangri-La, our group was divided for two separate tours. We had a very knowledgeable guide, whose narrative was interesting! An excellent time was had by all and I highly recommend you go and see the islamic art collected by Doris Duke.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gkez1
46 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
A must see! Beautiful artwork on a fabulous estate in Diamond Head. The volunteer guides were very knowledgeable & provided 2 talks on the tiles, etc. Upon completion of the “tour” we were provided with ice cream & water. Make your reservations early as they only allow a limited number of guests.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do you get on a wait list? Can you just show up to the bus stop and pray that there is space?
Written December 14, 2019
We did not know you needed tickets. When we showed up the tour was full and they put us on a wait list. We had a very nice lunch and, because 4 people did not show up on time (they are very punctual about the tours), we got to go.
Written December 14, 2019
Can you visit without a tour? As it appears that tickets are sold out for the remainder of the week.
Written December 2, 2019
No. The only way to visit is buying tickets at the Honolulu Museum of Art. It includes transportation, tickets and a guided tour.
Written December 3, 2019
Good morning, would you mind letting me know if the renovation/restoration works at Shangri LA are still underway and do they have much impact on viewing the property?
Thank you
Written June 11, 2018
The renovations do not impact on the tour at all. The only area that is being renovated is the pool area. But the tour is absolutely worth it. Please go.
Written June 11, 2018
kacchanai
Tokyo, Japan
Although it is not possible to enter the age 12 or under, can you hold it and hold back so that it will not go down, can you watch it with an adult?
Written March 3, 2018
According to the information from Shangri La Reservation Offfice,
under 8years old child can not participate in this tour.
But I don't have confidence.
You should better to ask to Shangri La Reservation Offfice directly.
Written March 4, 2018
Does the $25 general admission fee include access to the Honolulu Museum of Art? Or do I have to pay another $20 for the museum. Thank you in advance for answering.
Written July 18, 2017
My recollection is that both are included. You basically get to wait in the museum until the tour bus leaves. The cafes are excellent for lunch.
Written July 18, 2017
Although locals do swim in front of there, access is not from the Shangrila property and ticket holders are brought to the location by bus and given a tour of the house and garden.
Written June 10, 2017
how did you get to the museum. We are arriving on a cruise ship.
Written October 1, 2016
I won't knock the previous comments but if you're only in Oahu for a few days, you MUST book the Shangri La tour in advance and the tours are not available every day, or even every month (as I found out when I visited in September). Also, just to be very clear, you do not drive to Shangri La--you drive to the Honolulu Museum and they will transport you to Shangri La via shuttle bus. And finally, I found UBER to work quite well around Honolulu.
Written October 2, 2016
hi, how much time will I spend when taking the tour to Shangri La?
Written April 17, 2016
The tour itself is about 1.5 hours at Shangri La. The bus ride provided from the museum 20 minutes. Precaution...bus leaves on time. All worth your time...The museum entrance fee is included and the restaurant in the museum is good. I would not recommend a rush...enjoy your vacation!
Written April 18, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 16
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing