We had only one night in Waikiki on the return portion of our trip, so we considered a few different options. I’ve reviewed the Hyatt Regency before, which I quite like. This time around I wanted to try one of the SPG options. Starwood has three hotels more or less next to one another on Waikiki beach — the Moana Surfrider (a Westin), the Sheraton, and the Royal Hawaiian.
All three hotels are Category 6 SPG properties, meaning a free night costs 20,000 Starpoints. Since I value Starpoints at ~2.2 cents each, they’d have to cost more than $440 per night for redeeming points to be a good deal. So instead I looked at the best options on a paid stay. We decided on the Royal Hawaiian, which was ~$350 for our one night stay (though I was able to use an Amex Offer and get $60 off). Ford booked us through Starwood Luxury Privileges, which came with a $100 food & beverage credit, free breakfast, a room upgrade, etc., in addition to my standard SPG Platinum perks.
The Royal Hawaiian shares property with the Sheraton, so we were driven in through the Sheraton entrance. However, the Royal Hawaiian, which is also known as the “pink palace,” has a much cuter exterior.
Royal Hawaiian exterior
Before I get too deep into this review, I think it’s worth noting that Waikiki across the board is charmingly past its prime. Everything is sort of shabby chic, and feels like it’s just a couple of years beyond when it should have been renovated… and this hotel is no exception.
The Royal Hawaiian has a huge lobby with many different areas. There’s a long hallway which comprises the “interior” part of the lobby.
Royal Hawaiian lobby
Royal Hawaiian lobby
Then there are several beautiful exterior pathways.
Royal Hawaiian exterior hallway
There’s also a bakery shop in the outdoor portion of the lobby.
Royal Hawaiian Bakery
Then there’s a large garden, with a path leading to the main road in Waikiki.
Royal Hawaiian garden
Reception was located inside the entrance and to the left, and once there we were promptly helped. I instantly felt like I was in Japan, as a majority of the guests were Japanese tourists, and as you’d expect, a large percentage of the hotel staff were Japanese. The fact that Waikiki feels like Japan is one of my favorite things about it.
The lady checking us in was friendly, and handled the check-in process as efficiently as possible.
Royal Hawaiian reception
However, I don’t think I’ve ever received as many informational papers when checking into a hotel as I did here.
There was a letter outlining what the $35 per day resort fee includes.
There was a letter explaining all the benefits we’d receive on account of my SPG Platinum status.
There was a letter explaining that we’d receive access to the Mailani Tower lounge. In addition to the main pink building, the hotel has a tower which is considered to be more premium, and while our room wasn’t in that tower, we did receive access to the lounge on the ground floor.
Then there was a letter explaining how we could use our $100 property credit that was included with our Luxury Privileges rate.
We also received a voucher for a “personalized amenity” from the Royal Hawaiian Bakery, which I think they offer all Platinum guests.
Lastly we received breakfast vouchers.
We took the elevator up to our room, located on the third floor.
Royal Hawaiian elevators
Upon exiting the elevator we turned left and followed the signage in the direction of our room.
Royal Hawaiian hallway
We were assigned room 376 — as it turns out, this was a named suite. Sweet!
Royal Hawaiian room exterior
Royal Hawaiian floorplan
The suite was large and charming, but definitely past its prime and in need of a renovation. But like I said, that didn’t bother me too much, since an outdated room just feels sort of right in Waikiki.
The suite had a large living room with two couches and two chairs in the center of it.
Royal Hawaiian suite living room
Royal Hawaiian suite living room
Royal Hawaiian suite living room
Further into the suite was a circular dining table that could seat four.
Royal Hawaiian suite living room
Nearby was a desk with an iPad and phone.
Royal Hawaiian suite desk
Next to that was the in-room coffee machine, mini-fridge (which had a fruit amenity in it), and bottled water.
Royal Hawaiian in-room coffee machine
Royal Hawaiian in-room mini fridge
The bedroom was separated from the living room by a door, and featured a comfortable king size bed, and a chair in the corner.
Royal Hawaiian suite bedroom
Royal Hawaiian suite bedroom
Royal Hawaiian suite bedroom
The bathroom was reasonably basic. There was no tub, though it had double sinks, and then had a separate room with the toilet and walk-in shower.
Royal Hawaiian suite bathroom
Royal Hawaiian suite shower & toilet
Toiletries were from Malie, which is the same brand they had at the Andaz Maui.
Royal Hawaiian toiletries
Then behind the bathroom was a closet.
Royal Hawaiian suite closet
The room primarily overlooked the roof, though had a view of the beach in the distance. Given that the Royal Hawaiian is only a few stories high, you’re not going to get the same views as some of the high rise hotels, so there are pros and cons to that.
Royal Hawaiian suite view
We also received a very nice welcome amenity. My SPG Ambassador, Mike, is awesome. I had told him we were celebrating Ford’s birthday on this trip, and he really hooked us up.
Royal Hawaiian welcome amenity
Royal Hawaiian welcome amenity
In terms of the hotel’s other features, as I mentioned above, we had access to the Mailani Lounge, located on the ground floor of the hotel’s tower. From 5PM until 7:30PM guests staying in the tower (plus Platinum guests) receive complimentary cocktails and light snacks here. As you’d expect, this gets extremely crowded, given how many people have access.
The room itself is beautiful, with a variety of seating options.
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club
There are soft drinks and water available all day.
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club coffee machine
Then in the evenings there’s an attendant who serves alcoholic drinks (it’s not self serve), and then there’s also some pretty basic food. This isn’t a dinner substitute, but it’s a nice offering nonetheless.
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening drinks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
Royal Hawaiian Mailani Tower club evening snacks
For booking through Luxury Privileges we had breakfast included, which was served at Surf Lanai from 6:30AM until 11AM. There was both indoor and outdoor seating, and of course we chose to sit outside, with a beautiful view of the ocean.
Royal Hawaiian Surf Lanai Restaurant
Royal Hawaiian Surf Lanai Restaurant
Royal Hawaiian Surf Lanai Restaurant
Generally I expect hotels like this to have watered down breakfast benefits, but we received the full $42 per person buffet, which also included being able to order something off the menu.
The breakfast menu read as follows:
The buffet was good, though not as extensive as at the Four Seasons or Andaz that we had stayed at prior.
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
Royal Hawaiian breakfast buffet
From the menu I ordered the crab omelet, which was tasty. The server taking care of us was nice, and checked on us constantly.
Royal Hawaiian breakfast
Right after breakfast we took a walk on Waikiki Beach, which I love to do before it gets too crowded during the day. The Royal Hawaiian has direct beach access. In the below picture, you’ll see the Sheraton immediately to the left.
Royal Hawaiian & Sheraton Waikiki
And in the below picture you’ll see the Mailani Tower to the right.
Royal Hawaiian Waikiki
We had a lovely walk along Waikiki Beach, which lasted about an hour.
Waikiki beach
The hotel also has lounge chairs by the beach, though we didn’t use them.
Waikiki beach
The hotel’s pool is tiny. Unfortunately this is often the case in Waikiki, given that space comes at a premium, and the main draw is the ocean.
Royal Hawaiian pool
The hotel has a very basic gym on the basement level, which is sort of depressing, given that it’s lacking natural light.
Royal Hawaiian gym
Royal Hawaiian gym
Before leaving the hotel we headed to the Royal Hawaiian Bakery to see what the Platinum “treat” was. As it turns out, you can just pick out several things from their pastry display. We didn’t want to eat all the carbs but rather I just wanted a picture, so we ended up giving the pastries away.
Royal Hawaiian Bakery treats
Royal Hawaiian Bakery treats
I had some work to do before leaving for the airport, and we still had the property credit to spend, so we ordered room service lunch before heading to the airport.
Royal Hawaiian room service lunch
The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki bottom line
Overall we had a fantastic stay at the Royal Hawaiian. On the plus side, I thought the public spaces, hotel exterior, etc., were gorgeous, and very appropriate for the area. The breakfast was great, and the staff we interacted with were all friendly (in fairness, we were only here for a night, though).
As far as the rooms go, I appreciate the mid-century classic look in Waikiki, though I think the rooms could definitely use a refresh. The public areas feel chic, while I think the rooms feel a bit shabby chic.
Overall I would recommend the Royal Hawaiian. It’s a charming hotel, and really stands out in the Waikiki “skyline.” Just don’t expect modern rooms.
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