‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

Renovated in 2018 and located steps from the sand, the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has a fresh look and an upbeat, friendly atmosphere. Guests pass through an outdoor courtyard with hardwood floors and low-lying furniture to enter the lobby. O Bar, a bright and stylish lounge in the lobby, features modern minimalist furniture in earth tones, accented with crafty sculptures, potted trees, and black-and-white photography. But the main attraction is the 280,000-gallon oceanarium. Visible from O Bar, the three-level aquarium is filled with colorful native Hawaiian fish, and guests can watch twice-daily feedings. The fifth-floor infinity pool has a nicely designed deck, but the views of buildings, and crowds of kids and families can distract from the atmosphere. Couples are often found enjoying cocktails in O Bar or poolside, where there are fire pits and occasional live music. 

The Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is located across the street from bustling Waikiki Beach. Restaurants, shops, and other hotels line the surrounding streets. The nearest attractions include Honolulu Zoo, a six-minute walk, and Waikiki Aquarium, a 12-minute-walk. The Hawaii Convention Center is a 10-minute drive away. It’s also a short drive to cultural venues such as Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art (eight minutes) and Honolulu Museum of Art (12 minutes). Pearl Harbor is just under 25 minutes by car.  There are lots of outdoor adventure opportunities in the area as well, from snorkeling at Hanuama Bay (25-minute drive) to hiking at Diamond Head (five-minute drive). Guests can also help plant trees around the Big Island as part of the hotel’s reforestation efforts. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is just over a 20-minute drive away.

The 839 rooms and suites at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach are decorated much like the hotel’s public spaces, but with a little less pizzazz. Contemporary and minimalist, rooms are decorated with pale-brown carpeting and walls, natural-tone wood furniture, and white bedding. Framed beach paintings offer a little color, and small marble-base tables are stylish, if understated. Most rooms have small balconies (known as lanais) with patio furniture. Premier Ocean Front rooms overlook the beach, but the various Ocean View rooms only offer obstructed glimpses of the ocean -- some guests don’t recommend paying extra. White and natural-wood vanities are located outside of the bathrooms. Small bathrooms have light-wood floors, shower/tub combos, and free Malie Organics toiletries, plus heated bidets in beachside rooms. Also standard are microwaves (for a fee), mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, plus 51- or 55-inch flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites are available and have spacious sitting rooms and bigger lanais, plus perks like iHome Clock Radios, wet bars, and soaking tubs and rainfall showers. 

The central feature of Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is its location, just beyond the sand of Waikiki Beach. Equally popular are the hotel’s two restaurants led by Masaharu Morimoto. Morimoto Asia Waikiki serves upscale Asian fusion, while Momosan offers ramen and an outdoor tropical beer garden. Buffet breakfast is available for a fee, and there are two bars, including O Bar in the lobby. Swell Bar is located at the fifth-floor infinity pool, a stylish space with daybeds and cabanas (for a fee), but the views are mediocre and it gets crowded. Room service is not available. There are five different meeting and event spaces, including the 6,300-square-foot Alohilani Ballroom. Guests can also use the spacious, nicely decorated work space with computers and printers, located off the lobby. The modern, well-equipped fitness center has cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights, plus eucalyptus-infused chilled towels. There are also two tennis courts available at no charge, fitness and yoga classes (for a fee), and a spa offering massages and facials in private cabanas. The kids’ club is for ages 5 to 12 and offers full- and half-day programs, plus a kiddy pool. On-site boutiques sell clothing, as well as gifts and souvenirs. Note that there is a resort fee, and limited parking is available for a fee.