The Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki Review: Is the Pink Palace of the Pacific Worth It?
- Hotel Website: The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Premier Ocean View Suite – Ocean view, Balcony, King, 350sqft/32sqm
- Review Score: Results of our review
- Hotel Fact: Often called the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” is that it was leased by the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a major rest and relaxation (R&R) center for Navy personnel before being restored to its luxury status in 1947.
Other Local Luxury Resorts
Iconic “Pink Palace” Charm: Immerse yourself in the historic elegance and distinctive pink aesthetic.
Prime Beachfront Location: Direct access to Waikiki Beach, shared with the Moana Surfrider, for ultimate relaxation and water activities.
Exceptional Service: From seamless check-in to attentive beach service, the staff truly enhances the luxury experience.
World-Class Mai Tai Bar: Savor signature Mai Tais with stunning ocean and Diamond Head views.
Historic Charm vs. Modernity: The Royal Hawaiian consists of two main sections: the historic “Historic Wing” and the more modern “Mailani Tower.” Both offer distinct experiences; the Historic Wing provides an authentic, classic ambiance, while the Mailani Tower often features updated amenities and private lanais with breathtaking views. Some rooms in the Historic Wing might feel more “dated” to those accustomed to ultra-modern decor.
Parking Fees: Valet parking is approximately $65 per car per night (plus tax), and self-parking is around $55 per car per day (plus tax). Prices are subject to change.
Resort Fee: Be prepared for a daily resort fee, which typically covers amenities like Wi-Fi and access to certain facilities.
Pool Access: Guests have access to two pool options: the intimate and tranquil Malulani Pool on-site, and the larger, family-friendly Helumoa Playground (with a waterslide!) shared with the neighboring Sheraton Waikiki. Malulani pool chairs are complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beach Chairs/Cabanas: While the hotel offers excellent beach access, securing a prime beach set (chairs with a parasol) or a private pool cabana usually comes with an additional fee. It’s highly recommended to reserve these early.
Microwaves: Every room has a mini-fridge. Microwaves can be requested for a $50 per stay fee, or guests can use complimentary microwaves in the Mailani Tower lobby.
🍸 Bar
🏖️ Beach
🧘 Fitness classes
🏋️ Gym
📋 Meeting rooms
🏊 Outdoor pool
🍽️ Restaurants
💆 Spa
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 9/10
Vibe: 8/10
Romantic: 8.9/10
Air Conditioning: 7.9/10
Room: 8.9/10
Food: 8.2/10
Location: 10/10
Gym/Fitness: 9/10
Cleanliness: 9.1/10
Wow Factor: 9.2/10
Overall Experience: 8.8/10
A Return to the Pink Palace, Hawaii
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki is our second favorite property in all of Waikiki — and a very close second at that. It sits directly on the beachfront next to the Moana Surfrider, its historic neighbor, with the same direct access to one of the most recognizable stretches of sand in the world. But what separates the Royal Hawaiian from every other hotel on this strip is something simpler: the building itself. The Spanish-Moorish architecture, the signature pink exterior, and the historic grounds put you inside a piece of Hawaiian history rather than just a hotel.
This is our full review — covering the Historic Wing vs. the Mailani Tower, the Premier Ocean View Suite, the Mai Tai Bar, all five dining venues with hours, the Ahaaina Luau, the pools, and whether it earns its place as one of the best beachfront hotels in Waikiki.
Historic Wing vs. Mailani Tower — Which Should You Book?
The Royal Hawaiian is two hotels sharing one address. Understanding the difference before you book is the most useful thing we can tell you about this property.
Historic Wing — Our Pick for First-Timers
The 1927 original building. Spanish-Moorish architecture, arched corridors, original courtyard gardens, and a design vocabulary that exists nowhere else in Waikiki. Rooms may feel less modern than you’re used to — the décor leans traditional — but the setting more than compensates. If you’re visiting the Royal Hawaiian for the first time, this is the experience worth having.
Mailani Tower — For Modern Comfort
- If you’ve stayed at the Mailani Tower before and want the full Royal Hawaiian experience, request the Historic Wing on your next visit. The corridors, the courtyard views, and the connection to the building’s 1927 origins are worth the slightly more traditional décor.
Arriving at The Royal Hawaiian — The Tree-Lined Driveway Sets the Tone
The valet entrance pulls you off busy Kalakaua Avenue through a canopy of mature trees — a corridor of shade and quiet that signals immediately that you’ve left the Waikiki street energy behind. The pink towers emerge as you approach, and the Spanish-Moorish porte-cochère puts the hotel’s aesthetic directly in front of you before you’ve opened the car door. It is one of the better arrival sequences on the island.
Check-in moves efficiently even during busy periods. The property is larger and more spread out than it appears from the street — a layout of courtyards, wings, and covered walkways — so pay close attention to the directions given at the desk. The complexity of the layout is a feature rather than a frustration: exploring it becomes part of the stay.
As Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members, we were welcomed with chilled wine and locally sourced chocolates in the suite — the kind of quiet acknowledgment that makes the status feel worthwhile rather than transactional.
Premier Ocean View Suite — 350 Sq Ft with a Balcony View of Waikiki
We stayed in the Premier Ocean View Suite — ocean view, king bed, balcony, 350 sq ft / 32 sqm. It’s a well-proportioned suite for Waikiki, where room sizes at historic properties can run compact by resort standards. The balcony is the standout feature: a private outdoor perch facing the Pacific with Diamond Head in the distance. Morning coffee here with the ocean below is the right way to start a Honolulu day.
The room itself reflects the Royal Hawaiian’s traditional aesthetic — not a design-forward space, but comfortable, well-maintained, and well-appointed with everything needed for a stay. The air conditioning scored 7.9/10 in our rating — adequate, but not the strongest we’ve encountered at this price point. Every room includes a mini-fridge; a microwave can be requested for $50 per stay, or used free in the Mailani Tower lobby if convenience matters.
- The Premier Ocean View Suite balcony faces the beach directly. Book this category specifically rather than a city or partial view — the framing of the ocean and Diamond Head from the balcony is one of the most recognizable views in Honolulu.
Beach Access, Pools & the Shared Waikiki Beachfront
The Royal Hawaiian’s beachfront is direct and immediate — the walk from the lobby to the sand passes through the grounds and takes less than two minutes. Beach chair service runs consistently along the property’s stretch of Waikiki Beach, with waitstaff circulating for drinks. The beach chairs and prime spots with parasols carry an additional fee — book them early on busy days.
Poolside, guests choose between two distinct options. The Malulani Pool on the hotel’s own grounds is smaller and more intimate — first-come seating, complimentary, and a good escape from the higher-energy beach scene. For guests who want more activity, the Helumoa Playground shared with the adjacent Sheraton Waikiki offers a significantly larger facility including a waterslide. The shared access to that larger pool is a practical bonus without leaving the immediate area.
One honest note: the private beach area in front of the Royal Hawaiian is slightly narrower than the stretch directly in front of the Moana Surfrider next door, which has a broader sand footprint. It doesn’t diminish the experience — the ocean is the same — but guests specifically prioritizing maximum beach real estate should factor this in.
Royal Hawaiian Restaurants — Complete Dining Guide with Hours
Five dining and bar experiences range from a sunrise breakfast patio to oceanfront fine dining, a beachfront bar open until late, and one of the best luau programs in Honolulu. The value across the board is notably stronger than the Moana Surfrider next door, where pricing can run ahead of the quality delivered.
- Azure is closed Monday and Tuesday — plan your special dinner accordingly. The Mai Tai Bar’s kitchen runs until 9:45 PM every night, making it a practical alternative on those evenings without sacrificing the beachfront setting.
The Grounds — A Photographer's Property & a Hidden Gem to Explore
The Royal Hawaiian’s interior grounds are unlike any other hotel property in Waikiki. The Spanish-Moorish architecture, vaulted ceilings, courtyard archways, and deliberate pink colour palette create a visual world that rewards time spent wandering rather than moving directly between destinations. Even during peak Waikiki periods, the interior of the Historic Wing is notably quieter — the design absorbs crowds differently than a conventional resort.
The hotel houses a handful of luxury boutiques along its interior pathways — a good browse for a beach hat (essential) and island-specific items you won’t find at generic souvenir shops. The path toward the yoga area passes the bakery, which is one of the property’s best-kept secrets from guests who haven’t been before. Dedicate at least one unhurried morning to walking the grounds with nothing specific in mind.
Is The Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki Worth It?
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Pictures of The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
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