We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Hotels + Resorts 10 Best Honolulu Hotels for Every Type of Traveler Couples, families, and groups of friends flock to Honolulu’s beaches, restaurants, and attractions — and there's a hotel here for everyone. By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on June 2, 2024 Photo: Courtesy of Marriott Honolulu, the capital of the “Aloha State,” located on Oʻahu, became a popular vacation destination with the advent of convenient air travel during the 1950s and 60s. Beloved for its gorgeous shoreline, stunning sunsets, tropical scenery, and friendly Aloha spirit, Honolulu has grown as visitors have increased over the years. Couples, families, groups of friends, and business travelers flock to Honolulu’s beaches, restaurants, and attractions like the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, museums, golf courses, and places of natural beauty like Diamond Head. Hotels have been built, renovated, and recreated to meet the demand, and there’s something for every type of traveler, from budget to extravagant. Combining recommendations from travel advisors, frequent visitors, and Travel + Leisure readers who vote in the annual World’s Best Awards, we’ve created this list of Honolulu hotel suggestions. Halekulani Courtesy of Halekulani Book Now Also available to book at TripAdvisor. What We Like Halekulani offers a Hospitality Suite with refreshments, shower facilities, and storage space for guests who arrive before check-in time or need a place to relax or change before a late departure. What to Consider The resort may not be the best choice for families with young children, who may find other hotels with more activities and facilities for youngsters. This T+L World’s Best Hall of Fame resort is set on five acres, with 453 guestrooms and suites in five buildings on the Waikiki beachfront. Furnished in their signature “seven shades of white,” the rooms offer modern conveniences, many with ocean views. “The moment guests arrive at Halekulani, they recognize it as a special place," says T+L A-List travel advisor Marilyn Clark. "Well-known for its outstanding service, phenomenal staff, understated elegance, top-notch spa, and award-winning cuisine, Halekulani is located in a quieter area of Waikiki away from the main thoroughfare, but close to the shops and restaurants on Beach Walk.” Restaurants include the fine dining La Mer and the indoor-outdoor House Without a Key, named for a novel written in Hawaiʻi. Guests should note the dress code for dinner at La Mer: “elegant evening attire,” meaning dinner jackets, Aloha shirts, long-sleeved collared shirts, and dress slacks for men. Orchids, the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Halekulani Bakery offers specialty coffees and pastries, while Lewer Lounge features light jazz entertainment from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Spa Halekulani’s Art of Wellbeing specializes in nutrition, movement, emotional health, and traditional treatments. Clark, a Hawaiʻi specialist at Lighthouse Travel in Huntington Beach, California, says, “Guests should be sure to take a dip in the pool if for no other reason than to see the orchid mosaic at the bottom composed of 1.2 million pieces of glass tile.” The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is on the beach near Waikiki Beach Walk, in a convenient and somewhat quieter section of Waikiki.Distance from Airport: The seven-mile trip from HNL takes 15-20 minutes.Nearby Attractions: Fort DeRussy U.S. Army Museum is next door; Honolulu Zoo is a 20-minute walk from the hotel; Pearl Harbor monument is a 30-minute drive.Accessibility: Halekulani offers ADA-compliant accommodations for mobility and hearing access in various room categories.Rates: Guest rooms start at $790 a day.Parking: Valet ($50) and self-parking are available. The Kahala Hotel and Resort Courtesy of The Kahala Hotel Book Now Also available to book at booking.com. What We Like Seeing the dolphins in the lagoon is something I recall from my first visits many years ago, and the Dolphin Quest is still a visitor favorite. What to Consider This hotel is about five miles from Waikiki, so visitors who prefer that area’s nightlife, restaurants, and activity may not enjoy the Kahala Hotel’s location. A celebrity favorite since its early days in the 1960s, the Kahala, a T+L World’s Best hotel, has hosted U.S. presidents and Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and many other famous names. There’s a small secluded beach as well as a saltwater pool. Guest rooms, one-bedroom suites, and signature suites with one or two bedrooms are tastefully furnished in comfortable, muted shades with modern conveniences. My parents loved this hotel, and we stayed several times over the years. Our favorite thing to do was watch the dolphins in their lagoon, and we usually drove back to Waikiki for dinners. We also made sure to allow one day for snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, about a 20-minute drive, to swim among colorful fish and a Moray eel or two. While we didn’t visit the Kahala Spa, many guests enjoy facials, massages, body wraps, and signature experiences using local Hawaiian ingredients. Guests can dine at Hoku’s, which has views of the Pacific, or at the open-air Plumeria Beach House all day. Dinner is served at The Veranda; there’s live music and afternoon tea on weekends. Arancino offers Italian cuisine for dinner daily, and there’s the Seaside Grill for lunch and cocktails. The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is in the exclusive Kahala residential neighborhood, about five miles from Waikiki.Distance from Airport: The hotel is 12 miles from HNL, about a 20-minute drive.Nearby Attractions: Diamond Head State Monument is two miles away, and the International Market Place is 3.4 miles away. The Honolulu Zoo is four miles away, and Kapiolani Park is 3.8 miles away. The hotel offers a shuttle to Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Kahala Mall.Accessibility: The Kahala Hotel offers ADA-compliant rooms and suites.Rates: Rooms start at $491 a day (with a golf course or mountain view). Dolphin and ocean-view room rates are higher. There's no resort fee.Parking: Valet parking is $50 a dayPets: Small dogs (under 25 pounds) are permitted with a $150 fee. Kaimana Beach Hotel Courtesy of Kaimana Beach Hotel Book Now Also available to book at booking.com. What We Like The hotel is located at the base of Diamond Head on Kaimana Beach, one of Waikiki’s best. What to Consider The hotel has no pool or fitness center and offers limited dining options. This hotel has been around for about 50 years, with renovations bringing it up to date with bright lobby decor and refreshed guest rooms and sweets. Closer to the Diamond Head and Kapiolani Park area than the bustle of Waikiki, the hotel is a favorite with guests looking for a quieter scene and a smaller beach. Bruce Fisher of Hawaiʻi Aloha Travel, vacation specialists in Honolulu, say that the corner ocean rooms offer spectacular views of Waikiki, and the wraparound lanais provide “a truly panoramic experience.” However, according to Fisher, rooms in the lead-in category are quite small. "I would recommend something other than the lower floor rooms as they offer limited views," he adds. Guests enjoy the casual Hau Tree Restaurant, and morning coffee is convenient at Kaimana Coffee, just outside the lobby. The 2022 World’s Best Award hotel seems ideal for a low-key vacation for a beach lover who enjoys spending days on one of Waikiki’s best beaches and exploring the walkable neighborhood or nearby Kapiolani Park. The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is in a quieter spot away from most of Waikiki’s action.Distance from Airport: The hotel is eight miles from the airport.Nearby Attractions: Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo are nearby, and Diamond Head State Monument is less than a mile away.Accessibility: The hotel offers accessible rooms and an accessible Penthouse oceanfront suitesRates: Rooms start at $263 for a city-view room.Parking: Valet parking is $40 a day.Resort Fee: Club Pass $25 a day (plus tax) includes beach host, chairs, towels, WiFi, yoga, reef-safe sunscreen, stand-up paddleboarding, and cultural classes. The Laylow, Autograph Collection Courtesy of Marriott Book Now Also available to book at TripAdvisor and Booking.com. What We Like The hotel is located in a convenient area for local bars, restaurants, and shops. What to Consider The hotel is two blocks from the beach, and few rooms have ocean views. Laura Medina of Carlisle Travel, who until recently lived and worked in Honolulu, described the Laylow as laid back and well-located to take advantage of the surrounding area. Laura commented on the friendly, accommodating staff and their “Aloha style.” “You’ll find the atmosphere to be warm and welcoming, and locals, as well as guests, go there for cocktails and dinner,” she says. “The room prices reflect its location away from the beach and its basic amenities,” Medina adds, “but that’s ideal for some visitors who like its casual atmosphere and friendly style.” The 2022 World’s Best hotel’s mid-century decor combines with modern conveniences like USB chargers and device-enabled televisions. There’s a pool with cabanas, a 24/7 fitness center, and fire pits on their garden lanai. The Hideout restaurant serves modern Hawaiian cuisine in an open lanaʻi setting with live entertainment nightly from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. In the morning, Hideout Coffee is the place for barista-crafted specialty coffees and fresh pastries, while Paia Fish Market and Texas 808 are two independently owned restaurants on the Laylow property. The Details: The Neighborhood: The hotel is tucked away a few blocks from the beach in a lively part of Waikiki on Kuhio Avenue.Distance from the Airport: The hotel is 15 miles from the airport.Nearby Attractions: Short walk to the beach, International Marketplace, Kalakaua Avenue shops and restaurants.Accessibility: Mobility-accessible rooms with roll-in showers and other accommodations are available.Rates: Rooms start at an average of $289 a night for a Marriott Bonvoy member rate.Parking: Available for $40 a day.Resort Fee: The $35 daily destination fee includes Wi-Fi, pool and beach towels, shave ice, fitness center, welcome basket, and cruiser bicycles. Outrigger Waikiki David Murphey/Courtesy of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort Book Now Also available to book at TripAdvisor. What We Like The Outrigger’s beachfront location is a big plus, with views of Diamond Head, lounge chairs, and stunning sunsets. What to Consider The hotel’s convenient location amid Waikiki action may not be ideal for guests who prefer a quiet environment. This Travel + Leisure World’s Best Award hotel features a beachfront location and casual surf culture style. Guest rooms offer views from the Waikiki skyline and mountain vistas to ocean views and oceanfront settings. Voyager 47 Club rooms and suites include Club Lounge access with daily Hawaiian-style breakfast and premium Kona coffee, evening beverages and appetizers, an Outrigger tote bag, and upgraded in-room WiFi. Laura Medina, travel advisor and former Honolulu resident, describes the hotel as well positioned, with a bar on the beach where you can enjoy cocktails, dinner, and sunsets, near but not in the sand. She also pointed out an advantage for families staying at the Outrigger. “It’s located on the beach right next to a park with palm trees, picnic tables, and plenty of shade. Parents can watch their children play on the shore from a comfortable spot in the shade. Duke’s Waikiki, named for Honolulu’s famous surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, is in the hotel’s lobby, featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and live music. Hula Grill Waikiki offers contemporary island cuisine and Diamond Head views from its oceanfront location. There’s Sunrise Shack and Pai’s Deli for casual fare and take-out. A few blocks away from the beach, the Outrigger’s sister hotel, the Outrigger Reef, also offers excellent amenities, and guests should be sure which of the hotels they’re booking to avoid confusion with similar names. The Details: The Neighborhood: Located in the heart of Waikiki, within walking distance of restaurants, hotels, nightlife, and prime beach location.Distance from Airport: The hotel is about 15 miles away.Nearby Attractions: Waikiki Beach, public park, walkable area.Accessibility: The Outrigger offers ADA-accessible rooms in every category.Rates: Standard rooms (city view) start at $276 a night. Voyager 47 Club rooms (city view) start at $388.Parking: Parking is valet-only and costs $50 a night.Resort Fee: A daily resort fee of $45 plus tax includes WiFi for up to four devices per room, in-room coffee and tea, recyclable water bottles, Outrigger logo tote bag, access to fitness center and pool, use of beach towels, and resort cultural activities. Ritz Carlton Residences Courtesy of Ritz Carlton Book Now Also available to book at Expedia. What We Like The apartment-style rooms, up to four-bedrooms, are ideal for families, groups, and long-term stays. What to Consider The hotel is several blocks from the beach, about a 10-minute walk. This World’s Best hotel features 552 guest rooms, which includes 246 suites, in two ocean-facing towers. The condo or apartment-style accommodations are available as one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom suites with ocean views, floor-to-ceiling windows, fully-equipped kitchens, and bathrooms with soaking tubs. The living areas are stylishly decorated with comfortable seating and convenient desks. Complimentary WiFi is included. Fisher points out that the property “is sometimes a tough sell when people are paying top dollar and not directly on the beach, but the pool area compensates for the lack of convenient beach access.” Two infinity pools with private cabanas, one adult pool, and one family pool are the highest in Waikiki, with beautiful city and ocean views. There’s complimentary access to the well-appointed Fitness Center, and the Ritz Carlton Spa menu includes a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments. Restaurants include La Vie, for French cuisine and nightly piano music, and Sushi Sho, for upscale Omakase sushi with an optional pairing of Japanese Sake. Quiora features Mediterranean and Italian dishes in an al fresco setting with ocean and skyline views. For convenient snacks and take-away foods, there’s a gourmet market, Dean & DeLuca, and Island Country Markets, with a bakery, deli, wines, and barista. The Details: Neighborhood: Located in the heart of Waikiki, in a lively area about halfway between Kalākaua Avenue and Ala Wai BoulevardDistance from Airport: The hotel is 15 miles from the airport. Nearby Attractions: Iolani Palace, Shangri La Museum, US Army Museum of Hawaiʻi, designer boutiques. Accessibility: The hotel offers accessible rooms (including hearing accessible), walkways, and parking.Rates: Guest rooms start at an average of $665 a night; a one-bedroom suite is $933; and a three-bedroom suite starts at $3,086. All include breakfast.Parking: Valet parking is available only, for $50 a day. Prince Waikiki Courtesy of Prince Waikiki Book Now Also available to book at TripAdvisor. What We Like The floor-to-ceiling windows in guest rooms offer ocean, sunset, and Ala Wai Harbor views. What to Consider Beach fans should know it’s about a 10-minute walk to the shore, but business guests appreciate the hotel’s convenient location near the Convention Center. Located on the western end of Waikiki, the modern hotel offers guest rooms, suites, Club rooms with exceptional amenities, and one-bedroom suites. Fisher points out that the guest rooms don’t have outdoor lanais, but the expansive windows provide beautiful views. Guests can take a guided tour of the hotel’s extensive art collection, and the hotel also offers complimentary admission for two to the Honolulu Art Museum. There’s a hot tub, a saltwater pool, an adults-only infinity with private cabanas, and a poolside Hinana Bar for cocktails and casual fare. Golf fans will appreciate having access to the Hawaiʻi Prince Golf Club, a golf course with 27 holes designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The hotel provides a shuttle for the 40-minute drive to the course. At the Naio Bliss Spa, massage, facials, and body treatments are offered in a comfortable atmosphere. The Fitness Center is open 24/7. Guests dine with a stunning marina view at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. Honolulu Coffee Company in the lobby is a convenient stop for pastries, cakes, and specialty coffees. The Library offers Apple computers, PCs, printers, and a quiet reading place. The Details: Neighborhood: Overlooks the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in central Honolulu near shopping and restaurants.Distance from Airport: Just over seven miles from the airport.Nearby Attractions: Within walking distance of Ala Moana Beach Park, Convention Center, and Ala Moana CenterAccessibility: The hotel offers ADA-accessible guest rooms and suites.Rates: Rooms start at $288 (advance purchase) or $402 (best daily rate)Parking: Self parking is $45, valet is $50.Resort Fee: The daily resort charge of $42 includes WiFi, in-room coffee and tea, fitness center access, digital newspapers from Press Reader, an art tour, museum tickets, and golf and tennis discounts. The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort Courtesy of Marriott Book Now Also available to book at TripAdvisor and Expedia. What We Like The oceanfront hotel has direct Waikiki Beach access, with views of Diamond Head and stunning sunsets. What to Consider Many kids’ activities are shared with the Sheraton sister property next door, which may not be convenient for families with children to keep entertained. The “Pink Palace,” as the hotel is nicknamed, is one of the oldest hotels on Oʻahu, dating back to 1927. Set on 14 acres, with 528 rooms in its Historic Wing and Mailani Tower, the Royal Hawaiian opens directly to the beach and Kalākaua Avenue. In years past, I’ve stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki next door, spent time in the Royal Hawaiian’s shops and restaurants, and went to one of their famed luaus. Travel advisor Laura Medina commented that the hotel is well-kept, and locals particularly appreciate that its original style has been maintained through renovations over the years. “Even though it's a higher-end property, it feels like a relaxed luxury with beautiful gardens and open spaces. When you enter from Kalākaua Avenue, you almost immediately feel separated from the city in a serene atmosphere,” Medina tells T+L. Medina commented on the view of Diamond Head from the beach, which makes it a perfect location for weddings. She also enjoys sitting on the beach watching surfers, sunsets, and catamarans. There’s a pool surrounded by pink umbrellas and cabanas, a fitness center, and Abhasa Spa, with treatments offered in its spa garden. The beachfront Mai Tai Bar serves lunch and dinner and, of course, Mai Tais and other cocktails. Azure offers views of Diamond Head and a four-course dinner, and guests can start the day with a beachfront breakfast at Surf Lanaʻi. The Aha'aina Luau is held every Monday and Thursday. The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is centrally located near stores, restaurants, and other hotels in a lively, walkable area.Distance from Airport: Nine milesNearby Attractions: Fort DeRussy Park, Kalākaua Avenue stores and restaurants.Accessibility: The hotel has a limited number of ADA-accessible rooms.Rates: Rooms start at $488 (Marriott Bonvoy member rate), including a $42 resort fee. Parking: Valet parking is available for $65 a day.Resort Fee: The $42 resort fee includes a welcome bag of signature banana bread muffins, Go-Pro rental, cultural activities, morning yoga, and WiFi. Alohilani Courtesy of Alohilani Book Now Also available to book at Expedia. What We Like The Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar is hip and happening. What to Consider The parking and lobby areas can be very crowded, so if you have a car, plan your excursions in advance. “From the airy lobby filled with modern art to the Japanese-Italian creations at La Bettola (try the uni pasta!) and the daily fish feedings you can witness with your morning coffee, the Alohilani is a standout choice on Waikiki Beach,” says novelist and travel journalist Amanda Eyre Ward. Located steps from the sand in the heart of Waikiki, Alohilani Resort offers guest rooms, suites, and one and two-bedroom Seascape and Oceanfront Suites with spacious private lanaʻis. Pale, cream shades dominate the furnishings, and Ward describes the decor as sophisticated and modern. The fifth-floor saltwater infinity pool overlooking Waikiki Beach offers daybeds and private cabanas by day, and at night, SWELL features poolside live local music, appetizers, and cocktails. Alohilani’s restaurants, helmed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, attract locals and guests. “La Bettola by the 280,000-gallon Oceanarium is a stunner,” Ward says about the classic Italian dining spot. There’s also Momosan Ramen, SWELL Restaurant and Pool Bar, Makana Lani buffet for breakfast, dinner, weekend brunch, and afternoon tea. “Honolulu is several cities at once,” Ward tells T + L. “For a taste of the upscale, design-centric side, choose the Alohalani.” The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is in the center of Waikiki’s restaurant, shopping, and tourist area.Distance from Airport: 9 1/2 milesNearby Attractions: Waikiki Beach, Kūhiō Beach, Kalākaua Avenue shops and restaurantsAccessibility: Alohilani offers ADA-accessible accommodations in every room category, and the main entrance, elevators, and pool entrance are accessible.Rates: Standard rooms start at $285 plus taxes.Parking: Valet parking is $55; self parking is $48.Resort Fee: The daily resort amenity fee is $50 and includes WiFi, bottled water, fitness center, surfboard storage, tennis courts, in-room coffee, and credits towards beach rentals.Pets: Pets (up to two per room, under 75 pounds) are permitted with a fee of $100 for up to five nights and $200 for six nights or more. Espacio Courtesy of Espacio Book Now Also available to book at Expedia. What We Like The Espacio concierge can arrange after-hours access to Honolulu’s must-visit museums, such as the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art. What to Consider Room rates at the ultra-luxury resort may be out of reach for many visitors. Directly across from the beach, Espacio is conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki. Travel and food journalist Katie Lockhart stayed at the plush resort last year and especially loved the views, private sauna, and the balcony she describes as “bigger than any city studio apartment.” Each of the resort’s nine suites measures 2,250 square feet of space on an entire floor of the oceanfront high-rise. “The resort is conveniently located on Kalākaua Avenue near the beach, shops, and restaurants, but honestly, I loved just relaxing and enjoying the massive suite,” Lockhart tells T+L. “And the jacuzzi on my balcony was enough to keep me happy.” Each suite also features a dry sauna and soaking tub, and guests can reserve loungers alongside the rooftop pool. Dinner at the resort’s five-star restaurant Mugen was an authentic fine dining experience. “I loved the creativity of French-Japanese fusion,” Lockhart says. “The Parisienne gnocchi was exceptional.” In-suite breakfasts, with ocean views, of course, were another indulgence. For beach-goers, the resort provides umbrellas, chairs, and beach towels. The Details: Neighborhood: The hotel is located near shopping and restaurants in the heart of Waikiki.Distance from airport: 15 ½ milesNearby Attractions: Waikiki Beach, Kūhiō Beach, shopping, and restaurants on Kalākaua Avenue are all nearby.Accessibility: Guest rooms, public areas, and walkways are ADA-accessible.Rate: Suites start at $1,700, with variable pricing depending on the day.Parking: Valet parking is available for no additional charge Know Before You Go While Honolulu is a vacation destination, it’s also a busy city with traffic and crowds, so be prepared to encounter delays in getting places. Plan ahead and allow enough time for any restaurant reservations, luaus, or museum entry times you might arrange. If you have a car, it may take some time for the valet to retrieve it, so there may be a wait when departing from your hotel. Uber and Lyft are available in Honolulu.Honolulu is home to hundreds of places to stay, from upscale resorts to guest houses and vacation rentals. As in most vacation destinations, closer to the beach means higher prices. If you want to experience Honolulu on a budget, you can find lower prices a few blocks from the beach in hotels with fewer amenities. Save on dining and have fun at the same time by going to farmers markets, street fairs, and casual restaurants. Do your research in advance and watch for resort fees and extra charges.Learn some Hawaiian words beyond “Aloha” (which means both hello and good-bye) and “Mahalo” (thank you), but those are a good start. “Ono” means delicious, to compliment a chef, and “E komo mai” means welcome. “Keiki” means children, and “Ohana” means family or close friends. You may notice street signs using Hawaiian words and punctuation, including the apostrophe-like okina, indicating a stop in pronunciation.Try local Hawaiian foods like Loco Moco, which is made of rice, gravy, a burger, fried eggs, and malasadas, similar to sugar donuts. Poke, becoming popular outside of Hawaiʻi, combines raw fish and seasonings. Be sure to have a refreshing Shave Ice (not “shaved!”) flavored with a fruity syrup. Saimin noodle soup is delicious, and don’t be surprised to see Spam sushi (musubi), Portuguese sausage, and rice and macaroni salad on your lunch plate. You may not love poi, which is made from the taro plant, but try it.If time allows, explore Oʻahu by renting a car for a day or two. Drive along the west coast or head to the north shore, which is famous for surfing waves. Plan ahead and make reservations for tours of the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, luaus, or special events. Learn about Hawaiian art, culture, and history with a visit to the Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, or Hawaiʻi State Art Museum. How We Chose These Hotels Living on the West Coast has made Hawaiʻi a frequent vacation destination for Patricia Doherty even before she started visiting the islands as a travel writer. Her experiences, combined with up-to-date advice from travel advisors, fellow journalists, and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, in keeping with T+L Hotel Values, formed the background for these recommendations.