The Best Resorts to Book in Honolulu, Hawaii

Living up to its nickname – the Pink Palace of the Pacific – the striking Royal Hawaiian is a perfect blend of local traditions and modern amenities. Since its arrival in 1927, this resort in Honolulu has strived to give its guests a unique five-star experience. Eat until you burst at the award-winning Azure Restaurant, swing by the original Mai Tai Bar, follow your nose to the Royal Hawaiian Bakery or enjoy Waikiki’s only oceanfront luau.

An astonishing 280,000-gallon (1m-liter) Oceanarium greets you in the open-air lobby of this popular Honolulu resort – one of many eye-popping moments during your stay. There’s also a deck with private cabanas that has a saltwater infinity pool and a pool bar that serves drinks day and night all within a short stroll from Waikiki Beach. Named in honor of Queen Lili’uokalani – the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom – it shares the same location as her beachside home.

One of the many freebies at the Kahala Hotel & Resort are surf and paddleboard lessons – something you’ll need to make the most of the hotel’s location on the Ka Iwi coastline. You don’t have to go too far to see the local wildlife here – book into the chic Dolphin Lanai room and you’ll have a view of the Dolphin Lagoon, home to some playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Moana Surfrider has earned its reputation as the First Lady of Waikiki. A Honolulu institution that first opened its doors in 1901, the resort offers a blend of Victorian style and modern comfort. In addition to the sophisticated rooms, there’s a magnificent banyan tree – planted in 1904 – an outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, six on-site bars and restaurants, plus the only beachfront spa in Waikiki.

Choose between a city, harbor, pool or ocean view when booking a room – most of which have private balconies – at this slick Honolulu resort. Live music beside one of two pools adds to the vibrant atmosphere at the hotel most nights, while a trendy lobby bar and nightclub plus three upscale restaurants, including a gourmet Japanese option, will ensure that you have plenty to do before even stepping outside the door.

Positioned in the heart of Waikiki Beach next to Diamond Head, this Honolulu resort has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Another huge drawcard here is the Queensbreak amenity deck – the area’s largest outdoor entertainment space that has two pools and a restaurant and bar bobbing around among palm trees overlooking Queens – the famous surf break in Waikiki.

Sitting right on Waikiki Beach – just 1mi (1.6km) from the Aquarium and 2mi (3km) from Ala Moana Beach Park – Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is made for those who love the ocean and its critters. Perks at the hotel include beach access, an outdoor pool, a spa, a state-of-the-art fitness room, a buzzing live jazz bar, a beachfront restaurant, a coffee shop and a sandwich café.

Chances are you’ve spotted this Honolulu resort’s colorful exterior in the background of many movies and TV shows. An iconic feature of the city skyline, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is set across five towers – with each spacious room featuring views of the resort, the Honolulu coastline or the Pacific Ocean. The hotel also boasts Waikiki’s widest white sand beach and Waikiki’s only saltwater lagoon.

Surfers who stay at this Hyatt Regency might want to pay their respects to the man who started it all – the Honolulu resort is directly across from the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern wave riding. The hotel has some of the largest guest rooms in all of Waikiki – each with a private lanai and a layout that preserves the Hawaiian cultural context.