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One of my most memorable stays on Oahu was at the Royal Hawaiian Resort. It’s a beautiful place and full of history.
I stayed here for over a week and experienced the ocean views and amenities. It was a relaxing luxury beachfront stay right on Waikiki.
But before you spend your pretty little penny on the Pink Palace, I’ll share what to know when staying, what to expect, and tips.
Getting to The Royal Hawaiian Resort Waikiki
From the Honolulu Airport, it’s 10 miles to The Royal Hawaiian Resort Waikiki. This might take 30 minutes with traffic.
The road can get congested, so you’ll want to allot extra time for that. For valet parking, follow the signs.
As the name says, it sits right on Waikiki Beach. The location is ideal because it’s nestled between high-end shops and eateries.
Staying at the Royal Hawaiian Resort
The historic resort was built in 1927 and is owned by Marriott. It’s also known as The Pink Palace and is a popular place to stay.
I read a blog post by a lady who recommended staying at the resort. She said she hadn’t stayed there herself.
Huh? It’s like me saying that you should eat chocolate ice cream, but I don’t eat it myself. Ha!
Well, I have visited Hawaii many times, and I actually stayed at this resort. So I can tell you what it was like.
Checking In
My dad visited back in the day when Waikiki was less popular. When he arrived at Honolulu Airport, he said they put a lei around his neck.
Arriving at the resort, the valet crew greets with a lei, and they grabbed my luggage with a smile.
When I set foot inside, the decor said it all—classy, clean, royal, historic Hawaiian.
They have winding paths with beautiful flowers and plants. The lush setting was perfectly well-kept and so green.
I arrived well before check-in time and lounged around in one of the many places to sit and relax.
I laid on a comfy couch, enjoying the beautiful ocean view. The sun reflected off the beach, lighting up the lounge area.
The resort has boutiques that sell beachwear and souvenirs.
Ocean View Room
After checking in, seeing the ocean view room was like no other. Simply beautiful.
The hotel has two sides: the historic wing and the more modern side. This room had crisp, modern-looking decor.
The room was big, and the bathroom was spacious. There was a nice balcony to sit outside and enjoy the views.
Inside the room was a small refrigerator, coffee maker, and electric kettle. The bathroom had bathrobes hanging in the huge closet.
A few minutes after, Winn delivered the luggage. With his friendly smile, he talked about the services.
Born and raised on Oahu, he knew the island like the back of his hand and gave tips on where to explore. And in return, he got a nice big tip too!
Friendly Hospitality
Most people working at the resort were very friendly like Winn.
The lady who cleaned the room every day always asked if the room was okay. I felt she really cared.
The man who vacuumed the floors in the lounge areas downstairs was also very friendly and greeted me too.
Amenities and Activities
I spent most of the time exploring the island, but was able to relax on the beachfront.
The resort has plenty of activities. Upon checking in, they’ll give you a list of classes to choose from.
They had hula, storytelling, lei and jewelry making, yoga, and more. I intended to sign up for a class, but never made it.
If you plan to stay around the resort during your vacation, they have enough to keep you busy. I saw a few people taking classes.
You need to make a reservation for some of the activities.
In addition, they have information about tour companies in the lobby. They can tell you about different places to visit.
Lounging at Waikiki Beach
This is your place if you’re here to lounge around the pool or beach. I’d come here off and looking for a lounge chair.
I’m wearing the skirt I wore while walking around Waikiki. I made it, and that’s why I like it!
Some people hung out in swimwear, and others in streetwear. It’s pretty casual, however, some people were dressed up.
You can even reserve a private little cabana and live it up like royalty. Although lounging by the beach was great, Waikiki was crowded.
You might get lucky to get a lounge chair. Another guy said he paid a worker $40 to watch his chairs while he went to get lunch.
Many chairs had towels draped over them, but no person was in them. In the two hours I lounged there, the owners didn’t return.
In the evenings, the beach was even more crowded. People gathered around to watch the stunning sunset.
Live music from the area played well into the night. I could hear it well in the room.
Restaurants and Dining
The resort doesn’t include breakfast in the fee. However, it is owned by the Marriott, and every one I’ve stayed in gave me breakfast.
They also don’t have room service. For breakfast, you’ll have to go to their restaurant or bakery, or go somewhere else.
There was a long line and waitlist to get breakfast downstairs at the resort.
Within walking distance, you’ll find many restaurants. I ate breakfast at IHOP a few times, and it wasn’t crowded before 9 a.m.
Since the room had a refrigerator, I shopped at Whole Foods for snacks. It’s not that far away.
The resort has a microwave downstairs for guests to use. Plus, it also has seating with a great view.
If you carry around a reusable water bottle like I do, they have filtered water stations. So you can fill up!
Travel Notes
There are many hotels and resorts around Waikiki. And you don’t need to stay right on the beach to access the ocean.
On one trip, I stayed at a nearby hotel that was half the price and included breakfast. There was easy access to the beach.
Overall
The Royal Hawaiian Resort is known for its history, location, and charm. And I love the pink theme, which matches my shirt, by the way.
Although a bit pricey, I’d say it’s worth it. The experience was fun, and I would stay there again.
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