The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

As it was my birthday, I was upgraded to a suite with a Diamond Head view, which I appreciated. While the suite was not eligible for the 4:00 p.m. late check-out that comes with Titanium status and Amex bookings, the hotel kindly arranged a separate room for a few hours after check-out. This was extremely helpful, and I understand this is not a standard accommodation—indeed, I have never experienced this level of flexibility before. If i had to point out one thing, I have stayed at this property several times as a Marriott Titanium member before. However, I was again asked at check-in whether this was my first stay, which I found puzzling given that my membership number was registered in advance. I am unsure why my stay history is never reflected.

A++++++ best hotel we've stayed at in Hawaii. Amazing ambience and staff were so friendly and helpful. Luau was incredible. So much history. Will definitely stay again!!

First the Pros - beautiful historic resort overlooking Waikiki Beach, large rooms, daily maid service, comfortable bed & nice shower, quick elevators, tucked away from the busy street but still located near restaurants and shopping, offers lots of free daily activities (few examples: Aqua Zumba, historic tour of the hotel, craft classes), Garden View rooms are quiet and cost less. Happy employees. Free concerts and entertainment and a nice Spa. Great coffee machine and fridge. They are only 9 miles from the airport but it takes about 30 to 45 minutes due to traffic (taxi's about $60 & Shuttles run about $20). Cons - small pool on sight but you do have access to the hotel next doors pool, if you want to sit on the beach in front of the hotel in 2 lounge chairs it cost $75 a day, restaurant options are pricey, Fitness Center is small, no microwave and they have a daily resort fee of $52 and $55 for parking.

The Royal Hawaiian has a stunning outdoor setting and an unbeatable Waikiki location—steps from restaurants, shops, and the beach. Pros • Location: Excellent—close to dining, shopping, and direct beach access. • Atmosphere and history: Beautiful historic details and artifacts that give the hotel real character. • Dining: The Mai Tai restaurant was enjoyable. Cons • Room assignment: We requested a king bed for our 30th anniversary but were given a room with two doubles; a small plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and cookies was a nice gesture but didn’t replace the bed we asked for. • Room size and condition: Rooms are very small and feel dated. The bathroom was the smallest I’ve seen in a hotel. Bed was uncomfortable and drapes were torn. • Outlets and convenience: There are too few electrical outlets and no USB ports; we had to use the bathroom outlet to plug in a kettle because the cord was too short. • Pool and beach setup: The pool is small with limited seating. Beach chairs and umbrellas are expensive and often unavailable without advance booking. • Service: Staff seemed tired and not especially helpful. • Bakery: The on-site bakery was disappointing with nearby coffee shops. We recently stayed at the Miami National Hotel, another historic property, and it highlighted what the Royal Hawaiian is missing. The Miami National successfully blends historic charm with modern conveniences—larger, more comfortable rooms, updated bathrooms, and thoughtful preservation that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. By comparison, the Royal Hawaiian feels more like a preserved museum piece: beautiful to look at but lacking the practical updates that make a stay comfortable for modern travelers. Overall: The Royal Hawaiian offers a gorgeous location and memorable historic charm, but the rooms and some services need significant updating while preserving the hotel’s history.

We have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel many times in the past and this is one of the great "Big Three" at Waikiki Beach. While we did not stay in the room on this visit, we attended a large gala dinner which included the banquet room and overflowed into the garden area overlooking the beach. The Royal Hawaiian has not changed at all with all the stately elegance, first rate service, impressive public areas and a prime spot on the beach. While banquet food is always suspect, the Royal Hawaiian catering was exceptional with well prepared and presented food, excellent food servers and great audio-visual facilities. The event was enjoyed by all. It is a wonderful place to have dinner and if you can enjoy one of the rooms that face the ocean, it is a treat.