The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

Accommodations at the Royal Hawaiian Resort Upon returning to Island of Hawaii, I've decided to stay at the Royal Hawaiian Resort with my children for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am reminded of my previous visits to Maui, the Big Island, and the island of Hawaii. This time, however, we find ourselves back on the island of Hawaii. Our previous stay was in Oahu, but this time we have chosen to reside in the Waikiki beach area, surrounded by a plethora of dining options. Positives: Strategically situated near Waikiki beach, the Royal Hawaiian Resort serves as a central hub for the numerous shopping centers in the vicinity. The resort's location is reminiscent of bustling areas like Las Vegas, Fifth Avenue, or New York City. The hotel staff are notably efficient and welcoming, offering warm greetings upon arrival. The rooms and public spaces are meticulously maintained, and the beds are exceptionally comfortable. Negatives: Of all the hotels I have visited worldwide, the Royal Hawaiian Resort stands out as the most bustling. While the front desk staff make an effort to be friendly, they tend to adhere strictly to standard procedures and are less accommodating of special requests, such as room changes. The sheer volume of guests results in a lack of recognition for my Bonvoy status, rendering it essentially meaningless. The resort experiences frequent congestion, with long lines forming for coffee, elevators, running out of the beach towels and front desk services. The bathrooms are notably compact, even smaller than those found in certain European hotels. Although the resort fee is reasonable, the level of service provided does not necessarily justify the associated costs. I am just surprised they are not charging for a glass of water. Overall, great location, poor service designed for masses and crowd control. If you are looking for a quiet hotel, I would look for a hotel off the beach.

Staying at The Royal Hawaiian is a unique Hawaiian experience. The hotel is historic,beautiful and relaxing. From its prime location, lush grounds, open air lobby, Tahitian gardenia fragrance infused common areas and soft Hawaiian music, you are immediately put in a “ Aloha” state of being. I can’t imagine staying anywhere else on Waikiki.

I’ve stayed here many times previously. Average Waikiki beach resort. Located in the heart of their strip madness. Rooms are large, linens are decent. Wi-Fi acceptable. Front desk can get packed on arrival. Beach is right there. Towels and lounger staff need customer service training.

I stayed at the Royal Hawaiian expecting a luxury experience aligned with Marriott’s standards, but what I encountered was shocking. The hotel is dirty, extremely dated, and poorly maintained. The room had broken furniture, a malfunctioning shower head, drawers that wouldn’t open, and an overall sense of neglect. The carpet was filthy, and to make matters worse, cockroaches made an appearance. There is no room service, which is baffling for a property that markets itself as a high-end resort. The entire operation felt badly managed, with staff seeming disengaged and basic guest expectations ignored. Marriott should be ashamed to present this property as part of its luxury portfolio. This is not an “iconic” experience—it’s a misrepresentation that relies on history and branding to justify a high price for a subpar stay. I strongly urge travelers to look elsewhere.

We LOVE to stay at the Royal Hawaiian Resort and recently stayed here using our Marriott Bonvoy Points and being Titanium Staus, we received the Royal Treatment! The experience starts with walking into the entrance to smell the floral scent that must be pumped in, as it is so pleasingly strong. From our room to the breakfast to the pool area, it was simply wonderful, as always!!!