The Royal Hawaiian – Honolulu, Oahu
Review by Krystal | Stayed: June 2026
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🛏️ Room Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🏊 Amenities | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🍽️ Dining | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| 👩💼 Service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💰 Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| ❤️ Overall Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
👨👩👦 Best For: First-time visitors • Couples • Special occasions • Luxury travelers
⭐ Would We Stay Again? Absolutely.
Overview
Some hotels are simply a place to sleep. Others become part of the vacation itself.
The Royal Hawaiian quickly became one of our favorite hotels we've ever stayed at.
From the moment we arrived, it was easy to understand why this iconic resort is known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific." The property perfectly blends historic charm with modern comfort, creating an atmosphere that feels both elegant and welcoming.
What impressed us most was the attention to detail. Every corner of the resort felt thoughtfully maintained, from the immaculate grounds and beautiful architecture to the lush tropical landscaping that made every walk around the property feel special.
Even before unpacking our bags, we knew this stay was going to be memorable.
Location
The Royal Hawaiian sits directly on Waikīkī Beach in one of the best locations on Oahu.
Being able to walk out of the resort and immediately access the beach, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment made the location incredibly convenient. We rarely felt the need to drive anywhere while staying in Waikīkī.
The beachfront views of Diamond Head only made the location even better.
Whether we were walking to dinner, exploring Kalākaua Avenue, or simply relaxing on the beach, everything we wanted was just steps away.
Room & Accommodations
Our room was comfortable, clean, and fit the classic elegance of the resort.
While The Royal Hawaiian embraces its historic character, the accommodations still offered the modern comforts we expected. The room provided a relaxing place to unwind after long days exploring Oahu.
One thing we especially appreciated was how peaceful the resort felt despite being located in the middle of bustling Waikīkī.
Bathroom
The bathroom was well maintained, clean, and functional throughout our stay.
While it wasn't the standout feature of the room, everything was in excellent condition and exactly what we expected from a luxury resort.
Dining
One of our favorite places at the resort was the Mai Tai Bar.
The cocktails were excellent, the food was good, and the oceanfront setting made it one of our favorite lunch spots during our stay. Portions were a little smaller than expected, but the quality of the food and unbeatable views more than made up for it.
Whether enjoying lunch or simply stopping for a tropical drink, we highly recommend making time to visit during your stay.
Another highlight was the Royal Hawaiian Bakery. Every morning, there was a line, and after trying it ourselves, we completely understood why. The coffee was excellent, the pastries and baked goods were fresh and delicious, and it quickly became one of our favorite ways to start the day. If you're staying at the resort, it's well worth stopping by—even if you have to wait a few extra minutes.
Amenities & Common Spaces
This is where The Royal Hawaiian truly shines.
The tropical landscaping throughout the property is absolutely stunning. Towering palm trees, colorful flowers, and beautifully maintained gardens create a peaceful atmosphere that feels worlds away from the busy streets just outside the resort.
We also spent several evenings relaxing by the pool, which quickly became one of our favorite places to unwind after exploring the island. The pool area was clean, quiet, and just steps from Waikīkī Beach.
Every common area reflected the same level of care and attention that made the entire resort feel special.
Service & Staff
The hospitality at The Royal Hawaiian was outstanding.
Every employee we encountered, from the front desk to housekeeping, was genuinely friendly and welcoming. Small interactions throughout our stay consistently made us feel like valued guests rather than just another reservation.
One issue did arise during our visit when my parents discovered multiple roaches in their room after returning from dinner one evening.
To the hotel's credit, the staff responded immediately and moved them to a different room that same night. We were extremely pleased with how professionally and efficiently the situation was handled.
That said, because their original room was occupied by new guests the following day, it did leave us wondering whether enough time had passed to fully address the issue before another family checked in.
Although this was certainly disappointing, it never overshadowed the overall experience thanks to the exceptional way the staff handled the situation.
Price & Value
The Royal Hawaiian is certainly not the least expensive option in Waikīkī.
However, we felt the overall experience justified the premium price.
Between the incredible beachfront location, exceptional service, beautifully maintained grounds, and the unique history of the property, staying here felt like much more than simply booking a hotel room.
For us, this was one of those rare hotels where the experience became part of the destination.
What We Loved
- Incredible beachfront location
- Beautiful tropical landscaping
- Historic charm mixed with modern comfort
- Outstanding staff and service
- Relaxing pool area
- Excellent Mai Tai Bar and Bakery
- Walking distance to Waikīkī shopping and restaurants
Would We Stay Again?
Without hesitation.
The Royal Hawaiian delivers far more than just a place to sleep—it delivers an experience.
Between the incredible service, breathtaking grounds, unbeatable beachfront location, and rich history, this quickly became one of our favorite hotels we've ever stayed at.
Every hotel has the occasional issue, and while the room incident was unfortunate, the professionalism of the staff reinforced our confidence in the resort.
We would absolutely stay here again and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable stay on Oahu.
Windows of Travel Tips
- Spend time exploring the grounds both during the day and after sunset.
- Have lunch or a drink at the Mai Tai Bar; it's one of the best settings on the property.
- Take advantage of the resort's central Waikīkī location by walking to nearby restaurants and shops.
- If you're celebrating a special occasion or visiting Hawaii for the first time, The Royal Hawaiian is well worth considering.
Continue Planning Your Hawaii Trip
🏝️ Read our Complete Hawaii Trip Report
⚓ Read our Pearl Harbor Tour Review
🍽️ Read our Best Restaurants We Tried in Hawaii
🎥 Watch our Oahu & Royal Hawaiian YouTube Vlog (Videos coming soon!)