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Royal Hawaiian

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  • 2259 Kalakaua Avenue
     Oahu, Hawaii 96815
    (808) 923-7311Website
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Raven'sWalk
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4 out of 5
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3
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Editor Pick

Royal Hawaiian

Royal Hawaiian

“It has a lot of character,” insisted my friend, Neil. Whenever I hear that description, I ask, “What’s wrong with it?”. “Nothing,” he said, “but it’s old. It has a lot of history.” Neil was trying to convince me to stay at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. He succeeded, and we found ourselves checking into the Pink Palace, as it is nicknamed.

Finding The Royal Hawaiian is no easy task. From the plane, we could distinguish the pink structure on the beach. However, as we drove through Waikiki and turned on Royal Hawaiian, we saw the Sheraton Waikiki first. What was difficult to find was the road that continued on past the Sheraton’s roundabout to the Royal Hawaiian.

Jonelle, a hotel hostess, greeted us with flower leis, including a child’s lei laced with Sweet Tarts and Bottle Cap candies. The front desk checked us in quickly and soon we found our room, where the bell staff had already brought our luggage. Our room faced the ocean on the top floor. The windows opened to the sound of waves and fresh air. Parents, beware that small children should not play close to these open windows, which do not have bars or restraints.

The concierge staff were all efficient and pleasant but I felt they lacked the spirit of aloha, or the warmth of the Hawaiian people. That was because the entire staff consisted of Japanese women, bilingual to cater to Japanese guests. Where we found the spirit of aloha was at the front entrance, where Jonelle, Derek, and Gerard greeted us every morning with tips on what to see and eat during our stay.

Self parking cost $15 per day, while valet service cost us $25 per day. For the first half of our trip, we chose to self-park in the Sheraton Waikiki parking structure. It took us about 10 minutes to walk to the Sheraton, into the parking structure, find the car, drive it back to the Royal Hawaiian and pick up the rest of our group. After a while, we began to think that the extra cost for valet would allow us to relax during our vacation. We were correct, especially after a particularly tiring day hiking or playing.

Every night, the Mai Tai Bar below our room featured music, which helped us get into the island mood when we heard Hawaiian music. Every Monday night, a luau took place below our room, next to the beach. Every morning, we watched the lifeguard staff arrange beach chairs and towels for guests who could walk straight from the hotel right onto the beach.

Yes, the hotel is old, built in 1927. Yes, it brims with character. Yes, we had a great time. What I enjoyed most about the hotel was the feeling that I, too, was royalty. That is how the hotel staff treats its guests. If you’re going to stay in paradise, might as well be in a palace, doused in pink.

From journal A Haole Hanging in Oahu...With Locals

Editor Pick

Royal Hawaiian

  • November 10, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by ak1 from Auburn, Washington
Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian hotel, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, is a hotel known for its elegance and for being a historic building on the island of Oahu. This hotel opened their doors in 1927 and it was one of the first hotels to be built in Waikiki. This pink hotel quickly became a sought out tourist destination and an icon for Hawaii’s tourism.

Walking through this hotel was enjoyable because there were several different shops to look in and plenty of beautiful architecture to see. I remember my friend and I wandered outside of the hotel and they had a wedding taking place. This would be a fabulous place to get married. I felt like the Royal Hawaiian Hotel had truly captivated Paradise with their outdoor scenery, their lush plants and with the décor within their hotel.

On one of my next trips to Oahu I would like to be able to stay at this hotel. I felt like they knew how to treat their guests and they in return thrived on their guest’s happiness, which in my book makes for a great vacation.

From journal My Excursions on Oahu

Royal Hawaiian

  • March 25, 2004
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Raven'sWalk from Burbank, California
When they said this was the Pink Palace of the Pacific, they weren't kidding. Pink everywhere — towels, robes, slippers, shower curtains... For the most part, it wasn't horrible, but I could have done without the pink bedsheets. The decor of our garden side room was tasteful and the king size bed — comfortable. Robes and slippers were provided. Upon arrival we received a lei greeting. Complimentary delicious banana nut bread was provided in our room.

The garden-view rooms is the most inexpensive stay here. The room size was a little smaller than most. But the high ceilings made up for it. The bathroom, unfortunately was small for hotel standards. The layout and size is similar to a house's 2nd bathroom.

We found the service and staff friendly and accomadating. Guests at the hotel get a 20% discount for their luau. The only luau in Waikiki.

From journal Oahu in November

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