The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

We were guests in a 2 double premier ocean view room in the Mailani Tower on June 3 thru June 5, 2026. The room was lovely, the view from the balcony was spectacular. Comfortable mattresses, spacious bathroom, and an unusually large balcony (lanai.) The pool was small and yet still charming. Actually the pool size didn't matter because Royal Hawaiian guests have access to the Sheraton's large pool playground. And frankly we weren't there for the pool, we were there for... the beach. There are 2 reasons that the Royal Hawaiian is such a special and unique hotel: 1) the proximity to the beach. The vast majority of the hotels in Waikiki are across the street from the beach, whereas the Royal Hawaiian is right next to the sand. 2) the gardens. This may seem like an unimportant detail, because most people (myself included!) don't pick their hotel because of pretty flowers. But the landscaping is what sets this hotel apart from every other Waikiki hotel. Once you arrive at the Royal Hawaiian, you're no longer in urban downtown Honolulu. You step out of a big city and into a pink Moroccan palace inside a lush tropical rain forest filled with singing birds and enormous trees and exotic plants. It's tranquil and beautiful. You're walking into a surreal dream that's genuinely awe-inspiring. It's all an illusion, of course, because actually you ARE in a big city full of the traffic and noise that every big city has. Nevertheless, the illusion is convincing and satisfying, entirely because of the architecture and the gorgeous gardens. Finally, a word about the service. Every employee we encountered was friendly and professional. We never had any problems with the staff, everyone delivered great customer service. In particular we were especially impressed with Dana, a server at the Mai Tai Bar. We dined at the Mai Tai Bar twice, and the second time there was an unpleasant situation that was entirely our fault. Dana helped us solve this problem, even though it was not easy to solve. She handled the situation perfectly and we appreciate her efforts.

The Royal Hawaiian may have become my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at. From the moment we arrived, it was clear why this iconic resort is known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.” The property is absolutely stunning, blending historic charm with modern comfort in a way that feels both elegant and welcoming. What stood out most during our stay was the attention to detail. Every corner of the property felt thoughtfully cared for—from the immaculate grounds to the beautiful architecture and common spaces. The lush tropical foliage was incredible, with vibrant plants, towering palms, and colorful flowers creating picture-perfect views at every turn. It truly felt like an oasis in the heart of Waikīkī. The staff were exceptional throughout our stay. Everyone we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely seemed to care about making our experience memorable. That level of hospitality elevated an already beautiful property into something truly special. The beachfront location is hard to beat. The beach area was well maintained and offered stunning views of Diamond Head and the turquoise waters of Waikīkī. Whether relaxing on the sand or simply taking in the scenery, it was the perfect place to unwind. We also spent time at the pool in the evenings and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The pool area was beautiful, clean, and relaxing, providing a great place to unwind after a day of exploring while still being just steps from the beach. One of our favorite spots on the property was the Mai Tai Bar. The cocktails were excellent, and the food was delicious. Portions were on the smaller side, but the quality and oceanfront setting made it one of our favorite places to grab lunch and drinks during the day. I would be remiss not to mention one issue that occurred during our stay. My parents discovered multiple roaches in their room after returning from dinner one evening. After finding several insects within a short period of time, they contacted the front desk. To the hotel’s credit, the staff responded quickly and moved them to a different room that same night. We were very satisfied with how promptly and professionally the situation was handled. That said, because their original room was only a few doors down from ours, I noticed new guests checking into that same room the following day. While I can’t speak to their experience or what treatment may have been performed, it did leave me wondering whether enough time had passed to fully address the issue. Even with that concern, our overall experience at The Royal Hawaiian was outstanding. The incredible service, breathtaking grounds, beautiful beachfront setting, and attention to detail throughout the property made this a stay we’ll remember for years to come. The Royal Hawaiian delivers more than just a place to sleep—it delivers an experience. For us, it was one of those rare hotels that feels every bit as special as its reputation suggests. Would I stay again? Absolutely.

My 4th trip to the Pink Palace. I always love staying here, and will come back but have a few notes for the future. 1. The resort fee : I wish there were more amenities that I could use like a hot coffee bar in the morning, a beach umbrella for a day etc included in the resort fee. It is a hefty price, and I don’t necessarily care for the activities. I would love to get more value for $62 a day - which is essentially a meal ( and one I don’t get to choose ). 2. Room service would be great ! Being able to order hot coffee and breakfast vs. standing in line etc. same with the pool service, at the to go line I waited for 15 minutes and was never served. The food options are limited ; I wish there was another quick option without leaving the property. Otherwise everything else was great. I know the property is having renovations done and I look forward to seeing them the next time I arrive.

We recently stayed for a long weekend and honestly wished we could have extended the trip. From check-in through departure, the experience was exceptionally well done. The front desk team went out of their way to make us feel welcome, taking the time to ask thoughtful questions about our room preferences, views, floor, and layout to find the best fit. That level of care and personalization is rare and felt much more comparable to a true luxury property such as a Rosewood or Four Seasons than a typical large resort hotel. That same attention to detail carried throughout the stay, and it was clear the staff genuinely cared about the guest experience. As for the property itself, while it is an older resort, it is impeccably maintained and visually stunning. The large pink main building set against the beach and ocean creates an unforgettable setting. One especially unique feature—something really only found in classic grand hotels—is the abundance of spacious, varied sitting areas, lounges, courtyards, and quiet gathering spaces throughout the property. There are so many comfortable places to relax that the hotel almost feels like a destination in itself. It is honestly difficult to fully describe and really has to be experienced in person to appreciate. We attended the luau during our visit and there was a minor issue with the reservation. These things happen anywhere, but what matters is how they are handled. The staff addressed it professionally and graciously, invited us to relax with a drink while they sorted things out, and quickly accommodated us. We ended up having a wonderful evening. Breakfast each morning in the main restaurant was another highlight. The service was not only prompt and professional, but genuinely warm and friendly. Everyone seemed sincerely invested in making guests feel welcome, which unfortunately has become increasingly rare even at high-end properties. Even housekeeping stood out, always greeting us warmly and adding thoughtful touches during turndown service. One particularly memorable example of hospitality came from a bartender at the outdoor bar who took the time to recommend a nearby lounge that would suit both my interests and my wife’s preferences perfectly. The recommendation ended up being excellent and reflected a level of attentiveness and personal engagement that defines true hospitality. We spend a considerable amount of time in hotels and resorts, and this property stands out as one of the very few large-chain hotels we have visited in the past decade that genuinely delivers exceptional service consistently across the board. Credit is due not only to the employees, but also to management for clearly fostering and maintaining that culture of hospitality. We truly cannot think of anything the hotel could have done better. Thank you for a wonderful end to our vacation.

Would definitely stay somewhere else. Absolutely beautiful property and lobby and wonderful location but the rooms seem to have been forgotten. The only upside are the beds, as those are comfortable. I have stayed in hotels ranging from a motel 6 to the Ritz Carlton and Fairmont hotels. The rooms here are definitely at a best western/two star hotel standard. There wasn’t a single towel when we arrived and the towels they gave us are super thin and scratchy. Very outdated, small, and cheaply designed. The number one reason I wouldn’t stay here again though is because THE WALLS ARE EXTREMELY THIN. We can hear everything our neighbors are saying and we were woken at 6 am to the screaming kids next door. They continued to scream and bang on things for the next hour. Really, we can hear everything they are doing. For reference, we are staying in the tower with an ocean view room with lanai.