The Royal Hawaiian is arguably the best-known hotel along Waikiki Beach. Sometimes referred to as the Pink Palace, the Oahu landmark opened in 1927. Nearly a century later, it remains a great place to stay when visiting Honolulu, especially if you enjoy the color pink.
Accommodations
The Royal Hawaiian Resort features 528 rooms and suites spread between the historic building and the newer Mailani Tower.
Rooms in the historic building are darker, in part due to wood furnishings, but white bed linens and shiny pink patterned wallpaper offer a fun vibrancy. Windows provide ample natural light.
The Mailani Tower was added in 1969, so while the rooms aren’t new, they are certainly more contemporary than their historic building counterparts.
All rooms, regardless of location, offer the same amenities, including a small refrigerator, coffee maker, electric kettle, Kauai-based Malie Organics bath amenities, and pink reusable water bottles.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in a historic room overlooking the beach. I could open the windows, but I did not have a balcony.
Where should you stay? It’s personal preference, really. All of the accommodations in the Mailani Tower boast balconies with ocean views, while a majority of the rooms in the historic building face the mountains and gardens. The hotel was built by the Matson Maritime Company in the 1920s for guests arriving on their ships. It seems that by the time travelers completed the sailing to Hawaii, they were tired of looking at the ocean.
Public Spaces and Facilities
If you love the beach, you’ll likely spend much of your time splashing in the surf or sitting in the sand. This stretch of Waikiki Beach is popular, so you won’t be alone. The hotel does offer loungers and umbrellas, but they aren’t complimentary.
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The Malulani Pool is on the small side, though during my stay, I never had trouble finding a spot. (If you seek shade, it’s a bit trickier.) Royal Hawaiian guests also have access to the Helumoa Playground pool area at neighboring sister property, Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. Although that might sound inconvenient, it’s very close, especially if you are staying in the historic building.
Assorted cultural resort activities, including hula lessons and lei making, are open to all guests. Pay attention to the schedule, as some of the offerings are held at nearby sister properties, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Waikiki, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.
I didn’t get to test it out, but the Abhasa Spa offers massages, facials, and body treatments. The nearby fitness center is open around the clock.
Dining Options
Beachside Azure is the resort’s upscale dinner offering. Guests can choose between a four- or five- course menu. Highlights for me included the sikil pak (green tomato and pumpkin seed dip, crudités served with queso fresco), and the smoked vegetarian poke (ube, ogo, kukui nut, sea asparagus and sweet onion).
The Mai Tai Bar offers a more casual experience for lunch, dinner, and of course, Mai Tais studded with colorful paper umbrellas.
Breakfast selections at Surf Lanai include Pink Palace Pancakes (yes, they are pink), an assortment of Eggs Benedict options, and lighter choices such as an acai bowl and yogurt parfait.
Grab and go coffee, tea, and pastries are available from The Royal Hawaiian Bakery, just steps from the hotel’s front desk.
The hotel is in the thick of bustling Waikiki Beach, so there are countless restaurants within easy walking distance.
Good to Know
The hotel is an easy walk from an assortment of hot spots, including the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, International Market Place shopping mall, and Waikiki Surf Alley.
It’s just under nine miles to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
There are 13 adapted rooms available (across both the historic building and the Mailani Tower) for guests with mobility disabilities. Assistive listening and sight-impaired devices are available upon request.
Rates start at $509. Be sure to account for the added $52 daily resort fee. Valet parking and self-parking are available for hotel guests for an additional fee.
Check rates for The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
I’m lucky enough to travel to Oahu frequently. Some of my other favorite hotels include: Halepuna Waikiki and its sister property, Halekulani, The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay, and The Kahala Hotel & Resort.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by The Royal Hawaiian Resort, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
