TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Spur of the moment trip 6 nights to complete airline points for 2024. Booked 6 nights so one free night for staying five. Used Marriott points for two nights. Chose least expensive room no view. Upgraded at check in. Was advised room I had was in very noisy street area so arrived to a quiet older but pleasant room on the 5th floor. Have stayed at the other original hotel on Waikiki Beach, The Moana Surfrider. The hotel grounds here are remarkable and provide many quiet places. Mai Tai Bar the best. Swam in the ocean daily and rented pink beach umbrella all day behind roped off area which was more private. Attentive, friendly staff everywhere. Bakery on premises, lots of shops, ABC and food choices a short block from the entrance. For a feeling of the past, for beautiful surroundings and elegant finishing touches everywhere this hotel should be experienced. While there were some very young children I would not characterize this as a family destination.

I can't say enough good things about this hotel. It is a classic older hotel that has retained its charm. It has been updated and has every amenity that can be expected at a five-star hotel. It is located on the beach and has views and service that are second to none. I highly recommend staying here. You won't be disappointed.

Potential unrealized. So much could be done with this...property screams for an old world experience. Where is the piano bar? Drinks in an atmosphere that recreates the heyday of this property? A total miss. My suite, garden facing, is expensive and run down and a bit smelly (122). Upside, staff is first rate, friendly, helpful and responsive. The Ritz at Turtle Bay. Bag Waikiki and head to the north shore.

I’m here now. Just checked in today. I was at another hotel was supposed to go to a friends house family emergency so I booked this with Amex Platinum Fine Hotels. The room is tiny at $450 a night. I can’t even open both my suitcases one on the desk. The bathroom is a bachelor at best, 8” of stone on either side of the sink no room to put my razor etc. I was told I was given an”upgraded room.” 5th floor, facing opposite of the ocean I asked for. It’s 1:30 AM and I’m listening to machinery that runs on/off for the 9 hours I’ve been here so far. Then people on the street live music, it’s really noisy. I wish I could actually sleep.

I only spent one night at the Royal Hawaiian, but enjoyed every second of it. A small disclaimer that it was a special treat for me to stay somewhere like this, and I had just come from three days of North Shore camping. All the amenities and food options were amazing, and I had the best night of sleep of my whole trip. The sheets and shower products were wonderful. The property is unique and has lots of charm. The reason I’m writing the review however, is because the staff are so amazing there. Avis in particular both checked me in and out and made me feel so at home. Solo traveling can be a little intimidating and she really offered such a warm welcome and sweet goodbye. She was able to check me in early and told me about things like the hospitality room that I could visit after checking out if needed and available (check out is noon but I had a midnight flight so lots of time to kill). She explained all of the resort information very clearly so that I’d know what to expect. All in all, it just felt really nice to share some laughs with a stranger and be so welcomed and then remembered during check out. She really helped my trip end on a high note. The hospitality room was a game changer compared to showering on the beach before heading to the airport! Beyond Avis I also encountered many friendly pool staff, shop staff, and surf lanai staff. I stayed in an ocean view room on the 15th floor of the tower. I didn’t encounter any mildew smells or unclean conditions like some other reviews have mentioned. The only thing missing was my room didn’t have a bathrobe, which was no big deal for me. I personally don’t mind the room finishes being a bit ‘outdated’ as you just can’t beat the views, location, and service/friendliness from the staff. In my opinion, the rooms have more than everything needed to enjoy yourself and everything was in working order. For me, encountering kind, happy people is way more memorable on a vacation than a bathrooms sink condition/outdated light fixtures etc. I wish I had stayed a second night before heading home!