Photo: Ossewa · CC BY-SA 4.0Where to Stay
A practical guide to the best hotels in Honolulu by area, budget and style, from historic Waikiki beachfront icons to quiet resorts near Diamond Head.
Choosing the best hotels in Honolulu starts with deciding how close to the sand you want to be.
Most visitors stay in Waikiki, where hotels line the beach and the streets just behind it, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, surf schools, Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head.
Ala Moana suits travelers who want calmer beaches and the big shopping center, while the Kahala area offers a quieter resort atmosphere east of Diamond Head. Some visitors pair a city stay with a few nights at Ko Olina on the west coast or on the North Shore.
Honolulu hotels range from historic landmarks, including the Moana Surfrider, which opened in 1901, and the pink Royal Hawaiian, opened in 1927, to large resorts with pools and lagoons, refined luxury hotels, design-minded boutique hotels and simple places a few blocks from the beach.
Prices are high in the peak periods around the winter holidays and in summer, and most resorts add a daily resort fee and parking charges on top of the room rate, so compare total prices.
This guide is organized by area and by type of stay, to help you find the right base. We start with our top picks across the city, then sort them by the best areas to stay, couples, views and rooftops, families, luxury, boutique character, spas and budget options.
The best hotel in each category, if you just want to book.
| Category | Our pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Halekulani | Check Price |
| Couples | Halekulani | Check Price |
| With a View or Rooftop | Prince Waikiki | Check Price |
| Family-Friendly Hotels | Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort | Check Price |
| Luxury Hotels | Halekulani | Check Price |
| Boutique Hotels | The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club | Check Price |
| Spa Hotels | Halekulani | Check Price |
| Budget & Value Hotels | Hotel Renew | Check Price |
📍 Waikiki
A Waikiki institution known for its calm elegance, the Halekulani has ocean-view rooms, an oval pool with an orchid mosaic, the House Without a Key for sunset music and hula, and La Mer, one of the city's top restaurants. It is a classic choice for a refined beachfront stay.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
Opened in 1927, the Pink Palace of the Pacific stands in gardens on the beach, with Spanish-Moorish architecture, the Mai Tai Bar and a historic wing as well as a modern tower. It is one of the most famous hotels in Hawaii.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
Opened in 1901, the Moana Surfrider is the oldest hotel in Waikiki, with a colonial-style historic wing, a large banyan tree in its beachfront courtyard and a veranda for afternoon tea.
Book Now📍 Kahala
Away from the bustle of Waikiki, east of Diamond Head, this classic resort sits on a quiet beach and has a lagoon where dolphins live, a spa and several restaurants. Celebrities and presidents have stayed here since the 1960s.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
The sister hotel of the Halekulani offers modern, calm rooms, an infinity pool on the eighth floor and access to many of the Halekulani's services at a lower price.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
Facing Kuhio Beach, this modern resort is known for its large oceanarium in the lobby, its pool deck and its location close to Kapiolani Park and the zoo.
Book Now📍 Ala Moana
At the entrance of Waikiki, overlooking the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, every room in this modern hotel faces the ocean. The infinity pool deck is a highlight.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
A huge resort on the widest part of Waikiki Beach, with several towers, many pools, a lagoon, shops, restaurants and fireworks on Friday nights. It is popular with families.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
A large beachfront hotel in the heart of Waikiki, with many ocean-view rooms and an infinity pool overlooking the beach.
Book Now📍 Waikiki
A beachfront hotel known for its Hawaiian culture program and its relaxed atmosphere, with a pool and a beach bar.
Book NowLocation matters in Honolulu, because each area offers a different experience. Waikiki is best for the beach and walking everywhere, Ala Moana for calmer beaches and shopping, Kahala for a quiet resort stay and downtown for business.
Ko Olina and the North Shore are good choices if you want to see more of Oahu.
The heart of the action, steps from the beach and Kalakaua Avenue.
Quieter, close to Kapiolani Park, the zoo and Kuhio Beach.
Large resorts on wide beaches, near Fort DeRussy.
Near Ala Moana Beach Park and the shopping center.
Near murals, breweries and new restaurants.
Convenient for business and the historic district.
A quiet residential area with a classic resort.
Resorts on calm lagoons on the west coast.
A slower pace near famous surf beaches.
Practical for early flights or short layovers.
Honolulu has many romantic hotels for couples, from historic beachfront icons to quiet resorts and small boutique hotels. Ask for an ocean-view room with a lanai and look for packages with spa treatments or dinner.
Calm elegance and sunset music.
A historic pink hotel on the beach.
A quiet beach away from the crowds.
Large suites with ocean views.
A calm, modern retreat.
A small hotel on a quiet beach.
Historic charm under the banyan tree.
Ocean and Diamond Head views set Honolulu hotels apart. Rooms facing the water look out over the surf and the sunset, while rooms facing east frame the crater, and many hotels have pools and bars high above the beach.
Every room faces the ocean.
An eighth-floor infinity pool.
An infinity pool above the beach.
High-floor views and infinity pools.
Views of Diamond Head and the park.
Ocean-view lanai in every suite.
A pool deck facing the ocean.
Honolulu has many family-friendly hotels, especially large Waikiki resorts with pools and easy access to calm water. Look for suites, kitchenettes and connecting rooms, and check resort fees and parking costs.
Pools, a lagoon and Friday fireworks.
An oceanarium in the lobby.
A calm beach and a dolphin lagoon.
Facing calm Kuhio Beach.
Hawaiian cultural activities.
A family resort at Ko Olina, outside the city.
Honolulu's luxury hotels combine beachfront settings, Hawaiian hospitality, refined spas and excellent restaurants. Most are in Waikiki, with a few resorts in quieter areas.
Refined luxury on Waikiki Beach.
Historic luxury since 1927.
A classic resort east of Diamond Head.
An intimate all-suite hotel.
Resort luxury on the west coast.
Honolulu's boutique hotels offer character and design, from retro Hawaiian style and midcentury touches to small hotels on quiet beaches.
Retro Hawaiian style and a famous pool.
Midcentury style on Kuhio Avenue.
A small hotel on Sans Souci Beach.
Calm, modern design.
A small hotel near Kuhio Beach.
A renovated hotel facing the park.
Several Honolulu hotels have excellent spas, ideal for a lomilomi massage after a day in the sun. Book treatments in advance, especially on weekends.
SpaHalekulani and its Pacific-inspired treatments.
Abhasa Spa in the hotel gardens.
A spa in Waikiki's historic hotel.
A calm resort spa.
A large spa facing the beach.
Honolulu hotels can be expensive, but there are good-value options. Look a few blocks back from the beach, compare resort fees and travel in the shoulder seasons for lower rates.
Good value near Kuhio Beach.
Diamond Head views at a moderate price.
Style a few blocks from the sand.
Lower rates one or two blocks from the beach.
Quieter and often cheaper.
City or mountain views cost less.
Visit in April, May, September or October for lower prices.
Waikiki is the most convenient for a first visit, with the beach, restaurants, shops, surf lessons and Diamond Head within walking distance, and frequent buses to the rest of the city. Staying near Kalakaua Avenue keeps you close to everything.
Waikiki is better for walking to restaurants, nightlife and sights in Honolulu, while Ko Olina, on the west coast about 40 minutes from the city by car, offers a quieter resort experience with calm lagoons. Ko Olina suits travelers who mainly want to relax by the water and plan to rent a car.
Many Waikiki hotels add a daily resort or amenity fee, and most charge for parking. Hotel taxes are also added to the room rate. Check the total price, including fees and taxes, before booking.
Not for Waikiki and central Honolulu, which are well served by TheBus, trolleys and rideshare. Many visitors rent a car for only a day or two to explore the North Shore and the windward coast, which saves on hotel parking.
Families often choose large Waikiki resorts with pools and easy beach access, such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village, or hotels near Kuhio Beach, where a breakwater keeps the water calm. Suites and hotels with kitchenettes are popular for longer stays.
Prices are highest around Christmas and New Year, in summer and during Japanese holiday periods. April, May, September and October often offer better rates and fewer crowds.
