11 Best Hotels in Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, Oahu

Its name translates to the "house befitting heaven," and this beachfront haven does, indeed, seem like a slice of heaven thanks to impeccable service and spacious guest rooms that are artfully appointed with marble and wood, neutral color schemes, modern furniture, updated technology, and bathrooms with oversize soaking tubs as well as showers. The large heated pool features a stunning orchid mosaic, created using more than a million glass tiles, and there are jaw-dropping ocean views from a large lanai. Fine-dining options here include Orchids, which hosts a popular Sunday brunch, and the award-winning La Mer, with its beautiful Diamond Head views. Book a day of divine pampering at the SpaHalekulani, and settle in for sunset drinks, Hawaiian music, and hula at the House Without A Key or a handcrafted cocktail and live jazz at the chic Lewers Lounge.

Hidden away in the upscale residential neighborhood of Kahala (on the other side of Diamond Head from Waikiki), this elegant oceanfront hotel with top-notch service, opened in 1964 and one of Hawaii's first luxury resorts, has hosted celebrities, princesses, the Dalai Lama, and nearly every president since Lyndon Johnson. It's flanked by the Waialae Country Club's golf course and the ocean, surrounding it in natural tranquility—all just a 10-minute ride from Waikiki by free shuttle. A walkway has benches tucked into seaside nooks for lazy viewing, and the oceanfront fitness center offers outdoor yoga and Pilates. The poolside bar and grill will serve you at your lounge chair on the beach or by the pool, you can enjoy a casual meal at the Plumeria Beach House, elegant afternoon tea is offered on The Veranda, and fine dining is available at Hoku's or Arancino.

The reef just offshore makes the waters here calm enough for young kids. You can also sign up for dolphin interactions in the 26,000-square-foot lagoon or simply sit and watch the dolphins play throughout the day. The 550-square-foot guest rooms, decorated in an understated Islands style with mahogany furniture, are spacious though a tad worn; bathrooms have two vanities, and the lanai are big enough for lounge chairs. If you're a golf fan visiting the second week of January, ask for a room overlooking the course for a bird's-eye view of the PGA Sony Open from your lanai. If dolphins are your thing, request a room overlooking the lagoon.

Waikiki's oldest hotel (1901) is still a wedding and honeymoon favorite, with a sweeping main staircase and Victorian furnishings in its historic and expensive Moana Wing and more contemporary rooms in its 1950s-era Diamond Head Tower and refurbished Surfrider Tower, where oceanfront suites have two separate lanai—one for sunrise and another for sunset. Relaxation here involves lounging on the private beach or in a pool cabana, taking afternoon tea on the veranda, indulging in a treatment at the Moana Lani Spa, or enjoying beach or street views from rocking chairs on the main lobby's front or back porches. Enjoy live music and hula at the Banyan Court each evening, or dine at the oceanfront Beachhouse at the Moana. Don't miss the prized banyan tree, which dates from the hotel's early days. Note that rooms vary in each of the property's towers, so ask specific questions when booking. The hefty resort fee covers cultural activities, yoga classes, and Wi-Fi.

There's nothing like the iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific," which is on 14 acres of prime Waikiki Beach and which has held fast to the luxury and grandeur that first defined it in the 1930s, when it became a favorite of the rich and famous. Originally built for luxury-cruise passengers, it hosted galas in its early years and was later requisitioned by the U.S. Navy as a rest and relaxation center during World War II. Today, the property blends modern comforts with historic elegance. Guests appreciate the architectural detailing of the historic wing—with its canopy beds and earth-tone color schemes—but if you want a lanai for sunset viewing, opt for rooms in the oceanfront tower. As the original guests weren't interested in a water view after weeks on the high seas, the historic wing's garden-view rooms are the largest and can potentially be booked for a lower price. Ask about the fascinating (and free) historical tours offered weekly. The beachfront Mai Tai Bar is a local favorite for cocktails and sunsets, and the walk down the hotel's lovely foyer and onto the lawn is very grand indeed.

Towering over its neighbors along the beachfront, this big, busy hotel offers stunning views from most of its modern rooms, which received a major renovation completed in 2023 that features neutral shades with splashes of color. On-site amenities are plentiful and include one of Oahu's largest ballrooms, shops, and even a walk-in health clinic. The Helumoa Playground, with two swimming pools and a 70-foot waterslide, is a kid magnet, while the Edge of Waikiki infinity pool is a more subdued, adults-only swimming and lounging destination. Order a stellar cocktail and a bite to eat from the local-style pupu menu at RumFire, an oceanfront watering hole, or grab a drink at the relaxing Edge Bar and toast the sunset.

Here, in the center of Waikiki, you get the elegance of a luxury all-suites condominium combined with the intimacy and service of a boutique hotel. Facing Kuhio Beach, this 39-story tower offers spacious (1,100–1,400 square feet) one- and two-bedroom suites with gourmet kitchens and windows that open to views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean. The property is a favorite for families looking for sophisticated space and facilities, all within a quick stroll to the beach. Amenities include in-unit washer-dryers, free in-room Wi-Fi, large flat-panel smart TVs, chef-inspired kitchens, pullout sofas, luxury bedding, large lanai, and dining areas to accommodate the whole family. Beyond your room, the resort offers an expansive pool deck, poolside cabanas, barbecue stations, a fitness center, and a yoga studio.

As its name suggests, this is one of the most luxurious hotel experiences in Hawaii, with nine designer suites, each occupying an entire floor and featuring smart-home technology, a large private lanai with a hot tub, two or three bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and spacious bathrooms with saunas. Stylish accents include beautiful Italian marble and Moroccan metalwork. Daily in-room continental breakfast, butlers, and a private luxury car are included in the rate. Guests also have access to private chefs and grocery-shopping services, as well as a small rooftop infinity pool. Mugen, the exclusive Asian Fusion restaurant, is on-site as well.

Outrigger's star property sits on one of the finest sections of Waikiki Beach, a location that, along with an array of cultural and dining options and great live-music and bar scenes, makes it a favorite. Guest rooms in the 16-story resort have lanai with either ocean or Waikiki-skyline views and soundproof windows. Duke's Waikiki, a quintessential beach bar, hosts famed Grammy-nominated Hawaiian musician Henry Kapono every Sunday afternoon for a rollicking good time around the pool. The scene is so iconic that Kapono sings about it in a song titled "Dukes on Sundays." The Blue Note Hawaii offers nightly jazz, rhythm-and-blues, or other music by top-shelf local, national, and international artists. The Outrigger's Voyager 47 Club, a spacious indoor-outdoor, ocean-view lounge, serves continental breakfast, happy hour beverages, and snacks to guests who upgrade for access. Take a break from all the buzz with a Hawaiian seaweed wrap, a hot stone massage, or some other treatment in the rooftop spa.

The sleek, modern Prince—which looks to Asia both in its high-style decor and such pampering touches as the traditional oshiburi (chilled hand towel) for refreshment upon check-in—has luxury oceanfront rooms and suites overlooking the Ala Wai Boat Harbor at Waikiki's ewa (western) edge. It's close to Honolulu's downtown business district, the Hawaii Convention Center, and world-class shopping at Ala Moana Center. There's no beach here, but the sprawling, contemporary pool deck with cabanas and plenty of seating is an ideal spot to relax and soak in the island vibes. Ala Moana Beach Park is a 10-minute stroll along the harbor, and the hotel also offers discounted golf rates at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club (and a complimentary shuttle there). 

The only Ritz-Carlton on Oahu welcomes well-heeled guests from across the globe with its signature elegance and impeccable service. Although the beach is a 10-minute walk away through Fort DeRussy Park, the hotel's two infinity pools with cabanas are lovely sunbathing alternatives. As the name implies, the hotel is part residential condo and part resort, with studios and one- to three-bedroom suites that have gourmet kitchens and ocean views. On-site dining options include La Vie, which features a French tasting menu; Sushi Sho, a single-table gourmet experience; and Quiora, an Italian restaurant that sources ingredients locally. The hotel is also home to upscale grocer Dean & DeLuca, a 24-hour fitness center, and a luxury spa, and there's endless shopping in the immediate area.

Set on 5 acres across from Kuhio Beach and close to Kapiolani Park, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium, this flagship Marriott offers daily activities for children and adults and has an expansive pool deck with ocean views, several pools, plenty of cabanas and lounge chairs, and the large, outdoor Queensbreak restaurant. Rooms, all with private lanai, vary in size and configuration: those in the Kealohilani Tower are some of the largest in Waikiki; those on the Diamond Head side of the Paoakalani Tower offer breathtaking views of the crater and Kapiolani Park. Royal Kaila Spa offers an extensive menu of services, and the 3,000-square-foot, 24-hour fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and state-of-the-art equipment.