The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

My family stayed here from April 4 to April 11, 2006, in rooms 602 and 603. We arrived at around noon on that first Saturday and were able to check in at around 1:30 PM. We were given 2 cards for complimentary banana muffins from their bakery and the receptionist had a couple extra boxes with her that she passed to us while we waited. My family loved them! We have stayed at this hotel a few times in the past and have loved every visit so we keep coming back. The location in the heart of Waikiki is perfect. We go with my mother-in law and father-in-law who aren't into spending time at the pool or beach and they are able to head out on their own to shops and restaurants while my wife and I take our 12 and 9 year old to the pools and the beach. At other resorts across Hawaii we aren't able to do this and we feel that my in laws might get bored at more remote locations so this location is perfect. We stayed in the main historic building and I love the vaulted ceilings in the rooms and the decor. Room 602 gave us a little more bathroom space than we've gotten in the past which was nice as that's the main drawback of staying in a hotel that is 100 years old. I'm sure that the tower building has more bathroom space and we'll probably try a room there sometime as it would also be nice to have a balcony. But we love the history and character of the main building and I end up booking rooms there every time. We've gotten a junior suite in the past but the basic room was able to handle four of us in one room this trip. It rained a bit on our last few days and the hotel had umbrellas that they handed out to stay dry. The islands have been receiving a ton of rain lately so on this trip we stayed closer to the hotel in Waikiki and still had a great time. Fortunately/unfortunately my wife and daughters love to shop and there are tons of options within walking distance. We loved the Cirque du Soleil show 'Auana which was right across the street and the Rock a Hula show that was nearby at the Royal Hawaiian Center. We drove 25 minutes to visit the Experience Nutridge Luau which we also enjoyed. We self-parked our rental car at the Sheraton/Royal Hawaiian parking structure and it was easy to get in and out. We're already looking forward to our return visit to the Royal Hawaiian in a couple years. Everyone here is always so kind and welcoming. It is definitely our favorite hotel on Oahu.

Our stay at the Royal Hawaiian was amazing. The property is nothing short of spectacular. The first impression on arrival was very cool. It’s hidden behind modern buildings that reveal this absolute gem of a place as you pass through the historic gates and through the gorgeous front lawn. The service was first rate and our ocean view room on the 15th floor of the tower was perfect. Breakfast at Surf Lanai each morning was really good and the tropical drinks from the bar in the evening were delicious. You can’t get a better place to stay on Waikiki Beach than the Royal Hawaiian. It’s the perfect location for the beach, shopping, dining, and relaxing.

Another great stay. Louise at the front desk went out of her way to make it extra special. We love the location for our family. While a larger resort may feel a little more happening for (older) kids at night, the location just off Kalakaua in the heart of Waikiki gives us access to everything. The hotel is a perfect break from all the action - anytime we want a little peace and quiet or to get away from the crowds, it's just steps back to the hotel. Lots of other reviews offer insight into what to know about the hotel, the area and making the most of your stay, but my #1 piece of advice is to plan your beach/pool seating ahead of time. Meaning, reserve your beach chairs with Waikiki Beach Services (either brown or pink umbrellas), reserve a cabana at RH, or use your hotel access to reserve spots at the Sheraton (young kids like that pool) -- all ahead of time. It's never been crazy competitive where you need to book when reservations open up - just advice to look into this BEFORE you arrive, and I recommend sooner vs. later. It'll make your stay that much more enjoyable. Over the years, that's the self-optimization we've made to make our trips to the RH more enjoyable.

First Impressions: The original architecture is gorgeous. Stunning Porte Cochere and elegant entry with a covered terrace looking into a court yard garden. Entering into the hotel you feel transported to another time in a cloister away from the hustle/bustle of downtown Waikiki. The hotel has an old school feel to which we were drawn. Check In: The staff at the front desk gracious. The pink wrist band key—brilliant. Up the elevator in the historic wing to our 6th floor room. Hit in the hallway with the cloying synthetic scent of gardenia—-a diffuser spotted by the elevator bank—migraine alert—skin starts to burn—-not a good sign. Completely UNNECESSARY with clean ocean breezes wafting thru hotel!! Thankfully the hotel, after I complained, was successful temporarily pausing the fragrance dispenser on our floor. The door to the room—gorgeous original carved. Thank goodness preserved. The spacious room has an epic view of the ocean. The room furnishings which I did not immediately appreciate have grown on me as my eye has adjusted to the dark browns, greens, beige and pops of pink. The Frette pink robes and the complimentary pink water bottles are very appreciated! The bathroom is a little lacking and really needs two sinks. For the room decor I would suggest getting rid of the carpets and put in hardwood floors (may already have hardwood under carpeting) with area rugs. Beds and linens very comfortable. Plenty of closet space. Common Areas: Gorgeous spaces that could use a little tweaking. The covered porch looking into the garden is lovely. The tables and chairs perfect for morning coffee but WHERE is the complimentary morning coffee that one expects in a five star hotel? The bakery concession on the porch has tacky refrigerators that are completely inappropriate for the venue. The whole area cries for a simple yet elegant hotel lobby bar. A couple of tables for mahjong in the lobby would be a very nice amenity!! The open lobby spaces are so inviting that you want to have a drink handy to enjoy the tranquility. Much appreciated—-the Flow Water Dispenser in main lobby—A+ Activities: Wonderful yoga class. Great instructors. Thank you. Staff: To a person the staff have been warm and welcoming. Security: The elevator bank in the historic wing should be key code protected. Anyone can wander into the hotel particularly from the main shopping drag allowing one to access upstairs quickly and easily—very porous. Conclusion: The hotel with a few additional details could be truly spectacular. We are enjoying our stay and appreciate the kind service from all of the dedicated staff.

Beautiful resort, nice people however not relaxing! Don’t book here unless you like to spend your vacation waiting in lines. You have to be in line at 6am to even have a chance of being able to pay $85 for a beach chair, gym is sub par, wait for breakfast is at least 30 minutes, bakery has a huge line and then just closes at noon.Had a voucher for Daly muffins but unable to use for this reason.