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We traded in van life for a luxury beachfront resort on Oahu. It’s nice to treat yourself sometimes, The Royal Hawaiian Resort way!
We stayed here for over a week, so I got a good feel for the place. I’ve also stayed in a few other hotels in Waikiki, so I know what’s out there.
Before you spend your pretty little penny on the Pink Palace, you’ll want to know the details. I’ll share our experience, what to know and expect, and personal photos from our stay.
Getting There
We flew into Oahu and rented a car to get to The Royal Hawaiian Resort Waikiki. It’s about 10 miles away from Honolulu Airport and takes us 30 minutes to drive to the resort.
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 was ideal because we didn’t have to walk far to get to all the stores and restaurants lining Waikiki.
It’s steps away if you want to hang out at the beach. Nestled between high-end shops and eateries, you won’t run out of options.
Staying at the Royal Hawaiian Resort Waikiki
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 we 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.
When we arrived at the resort, the valet crew greeted us with a lei and a beaded necklace. They grabbed our luggage from the rental car with a smile.
When I stepped 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.
We arrived well before check-in time, so we lounged around. They have 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. We ended up buying a designer Hawaiian shirt.
Ocean View Room
After we checked in and went to our room, the ocean view was like no other. Simply beautiful.
The hotel has two sides: the historic wing and the more modern side. We had crisp, modern-looking decor.
The room was big, and the bathroom was spacious. We had a nice balcony to sit outside and enjoy the views.
Inside our room was a small refrigerator, coffee maker, and electric kettle. The bathroom had bathrobes hanging in the huge closet.
A few minutes after we got to the room, Winn came with our luggage. With his friendly smile, he told us about the services.
I told him about our plans, and he gave us tips. Born and raised on Oahu, he knew the island like the back of his hand.
And in return, we gave him a nice big tip before he left.
Friendly Hospitality
Most people working at the resort were very friendly like Winn. Most people.
The lady who cleaned our room every day greeted us in the hallway. She always asked if we found the room okay.
That made us feel like she cared about our stay. So, we tipped her well each day.
The man who vacuumed the floors in the lounge areas downstairs was also very friendly. He always asked how we were doing.
Amenities and Activities
As usual, we spent most of our time exploring the island. However, we also relaxed on the beachfront.
The resort has plenty of activities. When we checked in, they gave us 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. We saw a few people taking classes.
Since we were always out and about, I missed out. Plus, 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.
We were lucky to grab some lounge chairs, as most were taken. 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 this well in our 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.
We tried to get breakfast downstairs at the resort. There was a long line and waitlist, so we left.
There are many restaurants within walking distance. We ate breakfast at IHOP a few times, and it wasn’t crowded before 9 a.m.
Since the room had a refrigerator, we 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, we stayed at a nearby hotel that was half the price and included breakfast. We still had easy access to the beach.
The problem with that hotel was that someone stole our jewelry from our room. Plus, the workers weren’t as friendly there.
Final Thoughts
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.
We even saw a production crew filming on location during our stay. However, the only stars we saw in Oahu were high in the sky!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts that you might find interesting. You’ll want to check them out.
- For more things to do around Waikiki, I have a post for you.
- I wrote about things to do in Honolulu, if you’d like to explore beyond Waikiki.
- For exploring beyond the Honolulu area, check out things to do in Oahu.
- If you are here solely for the stunning backdrops, I’ll tell you where we saw beautiful views in Hawaii.
And I’d love to hear all about your adventures!
Originally published: January 13, 2025
