Beachfront Hotels on Waikiki Beach: Our 8 Best Picks for Every Budget

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

You’ll find us at one of these beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach at least once a year. Waikiki is one of our favorite places to stay on Oahu (Turtle Bay is our favorite!), and we always opt for a beachfront location.

But staying in a hotel on Waikiki Beach isn’t a must! Waikiki is small, and there are no private beaches in Hawaii, so see if the price, level of luxury, and the amenities are right for you.

We share our pros and cons on the eight best beachfront hotels in Waikiki. We also list all the Waikiki beachfront hotels (across the street counts!) at the bottom. Let’s dive into the reviews.

Video Guide to the Best Beachfront Hotels on Waikiki Beach

Let us show you around Waikiki! Here is a tour of the best beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach.

Yes, the Hale Koa is missing, but as an Armed Forces Recreation Area, one must have served or know someone who has served to stay.

5 FAQs on Waikiki Beachfront Hotels

Let’s review the most frequently asked questions about hotels on Waikiki Beach.

First off, let’s get our bearings. Waikiki is located in southeast Oahu. The neighborhood sits in the cosmopolitan city of Honolulu. Waikiki starts at the Ala Moana Shopping Center and extends to Queen Kapi’olani Regional Park, which buts up to the base of Diamond Head.

My favorite thing about Waikiki is the iconic view of Diamond Head, or Le’ahi in Hawaiian.

1. How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Waikiki Hotel?

Oahu has the lowest average daily rate of all the Hawaiian Islands. This is due to the large quantity of budget hotels in Honolulu and Waikiki.

The average daily hotel rate on Oahu is about $260 in the shoulder seasons and $306 in the busy summer vacation season. Waikiki hotels average between $250 and $285 per night. Data is per the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s infrastructure research.

Most beachfront hotels in Waikiki are luxury properties. Therefore, you can expect to pay between $655 and $805 per night for a standard room on Waikiki Beach.

You can find value hotels such as the Outrigger Waikiki Beach, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach. You can expect nightly rates of $300 to $450 for these value Waikiki Beach hotels.

Prices vary widely based on the best time of year to visit Oahu, spring break, and holidays.

2. Is It Worth It To Stay on Waikiki Beach?

Waikiki is an ideal place for a beach vacation without paying for a beachfront hotel. You can stay a couple of blocks from Waikiki Beach thanks to the area’s walkability and public beach access.

For example, the Outrigger Beachcomber is across the street from Waikiki Beach, but it isn’t beachfront. You can even get ocean views from the upper floors! This hotel is one of our readers’ favorites for the price, location, and quality.

Waikiki Beach is public, so you don’t have to stay at a beachfront hotel to access the beach. Take advantage of the public access paths between hotels. You can even walk through the hotels to access the beach.

The Waikiki neighborhood is not very large! You can stay in a hotel on the Ala Wai Canal, with mountain views, and walk two or three blocks to Waikiki Beach. You can save hundreds a night with this option. While Kuhio Avenue and the backstreets of Waikiki can be a bit grimy, they are safe for walking.

As noted in our “What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii” list, Waikiki is too tourist-heavy for some visitors. But, we enjoy the benefits of this resort area. It is worth a stay.

3. What is the Best Beachfront Hotel in Waikiki?

Our favorite beachfront hotel on Waikiki Beach is The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort by Marriott.

We enjoy staying at The Pink Palace for its historic charm (it is almost 100 years old), its architecture, and its central location in Waikiki. We also like the gardens and the location on Waikiki Beach. For a beach vacation in Waikiki, this is a great hotel to book.

Drawbacks to The Royal Hawaiian include rooms that are starting to feel dated and standard rooms that are smaller than those at many luxury resorts. Rooms in the historic section don’t have private lanais (porches), but their tower does.

Other popular hotels on Waikiki Beach are the Moana Surfrider, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the Sheraton Waikiki. More on those is below!

4. Where is the Best Place to Stay in Waikiki?

Waikiki is full of hotels, hostels, resorts, vacation rentals, condos, and more. They are constantly building new places to stay!

Finding the best place to stay in Waikiki can be overwhelming. Understand the type of accommodation you need, your price range, and the amenities that you want. To help, see our list of our favorite places to stay.

• Where to Stay in Waikiki: 12 Best Resorts and Vacation Rentals
• Where to Stay in Honolulu
• Where to Stay in Hawaii with Points – see our Oahu hotels!
• 7 Best Luxury Hotels on Oahu
• Where to Stay on Oahu with Kids

5. What Are the Best Honolulu Hotels on the Beach?

While the area outside Waikiki in Honolulu has hotels, only a few are on the beach. In fact, there are no beachfront Honolulu hotels on the Ewa side (west side) of Waikiki, the main part of Honolulu.

Closer to Diamond Head, just outside of Waikiki, is the Kaimana Beach Hotel on Kaimana Beach. The Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head is next door. These are located at the base of Diamond Head, near Queen Kapi’olani Regional Park.

One of our favorite luxury hotels on Oahu is just inside Honolulu. The Kahala Hotel is a luxury hotel on Kahala Beach. The beach feels private, and it is one of the calmest beaches in Hawaii.

Waikiki is the place to stay in Honolulu for beachfront hotels.

Things to Do Once You Pick Your Waikiki Beachfront Hotel:

• 34 Great Things to Do in Honolulu
• Things to Do in Waikiki
• Hawaii Cruise Travel Guide – are you cruising from Oahu, see here!

Best Beachfront Hotels on Waikiki Beach

We are sharing the best beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach in the order they are located, starting on the west side of Waikiki and heading east, toward Diamond Head.

We are not listing them in order of our favorites. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is far from our favorite. We don’t hide the fact that we consider The Royal Hawaiian the best beachfront hotel in Waikiki. But many people don’t share that opinion!

We will share the pros and cons of each beachfront hotel as we help you pick the right one! Click the links for our more detailed review and to book the hotels on Waikiki Beach.

Thanks for booking your hotel through our website; that helps us write more unbiased reviews. We are also a direct partner with Marriott; see the buttons below to book directly with Marriott.

1. Hilton Hawaiian Village

My Hawaiian hero, Duke Kahanamoku, grew up in Waikiki, in the village of Kalia, where the Hilton Hawaiian Village now sits. Duke learned to surf on Waikiki Beach. He became the father of modern surfing by bringing the sport to the mainland.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village was built in 1955. Since the original 70 thatched-roof cottages, the resort boasts numerous towers, pools, restaurants, a chapel, shopping centers, and a man-made lagoon. The Kahanamoku Lagoon.

What We Like About the Hilton Hawaiian Village

• The Rainbow Tower is iconic and provides stunning views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The Rainbow Tower, built in 1968, has the world’s largest and tallest ceramic tile mosaic.
• Lively! Thanks to all the guests and restaurants, the hotel is always buzzing with activity.
• You never have to leave the resort. The resort has everything you need, from food to entertainment, for a beach vacation. But, we do recommend escaping from the HHV and Waikiki! Fort DeRussy Park is next to the resort.
• You have a large selection of room types. Choose from a private lanai to a suite to whatever you’re looking for.
• Hilton Honors is a decent reward partner, so you can find deals when you book with points. See our Hawaii Hotels with Points for details.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The hotel is large! It is the largest hotel in America, outside of Las Vegas.
• It can feel crowded. Like a cruise ship on land, the thousands of rooms can mean busy pools, resort activities, and grounds. I would not call this a peaceful place to stay.
• Price! We find this hotel is overpriced for the quality and the experience. It is a popular hotel, so Hilton commands higher rates. Do your price shopping!
• The hotel is dated. The older towers, such as the Rainbow Tower, need a remodel. The newer towers have more modern rooms.
• As this is a Hilton, the rooms are standard, with no frills or Hawaiian charm.
• The Hilton Hawaiian Village is on the far side of Waikiki, a 1/2-mile to one mile walk to the best shopping and restaurants.
• Waikiki hotels are not known for their pools, due to the limited amount of real estate. For how large the HHV is, we are surprised they don’t have better pools for adults and kids.

2. Hale Koa on Waikiki Beach

Whenever we post a video about Waikiki, our viewers love to mention the Hale Koa. It is the most frequently mentioned of the beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach. Many Hawaii visitors love this 50-year-old property. And, I get it.

The Hale Koa was built as a recreation resort for military service members. Located in Fort DeRussy Park, the hotel continues to serve our service members. You have to be serving or a veteran to stay here, or be invited by said parties.

While we have received offers from viewers to stay here, we have not accepted them. Maybe someday soon, just to get a more accurate review!

As we haven’t stayed here, we can’t comment on the rooms. Per reviews, the rooms are clean, simple, and a bit outdated, and 70% of Google reviewers are positive.

What We Like About the Hale Koa

• The hotel is prominently located on a significant stretch of Waikiki Beach. It is located next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, so you can use its amenities, like restaurants and activities, by walking along the beach path.
• It is hard to beat the price thanks to the military discount. Expect a relaxing, comfortable stay for the price.
• There are an adult pool and a family pool, both located near the beach.
• The luau and beach bar are highly recommended.
• We are fans of sprawling gardens at Hawaii hotels, and the Hale Koa does not disappoint. As it is part of Fort DeRussy, you can enjoy a tropical Hawaiian vacation here.
• The hotel staff is friendly, making for a lovely, family-friendly stay. See our Hawaii with Kids Guide if you’re visiting with family.

Drawbacks to Consider

• This is a no-frills hotel, as you’d expect for the room rate.
• As with the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you are at the far end of Waikiki Beach.
• Food is a common complaint. The buffet breakfast and other dining options are not to everyone’s liking.

3. Halekulani Hotel

The Halekulani Hotel is the premier luxury hotel on Waikiki Beach. The hotel is popular with Japanese visitors, and it caters to them, making for a unique stay.

Our favorite thing about the hotel is its fine dining establishments. House Without a Key, Orchid, and Le Mer are oceanfront and delicious.

We visit House Without a Key for its nightly live music and hula show—a real treat for the show, the drinks, and the food.

We also enjoy staying at the Halepuna Hotel across the street, the sister hotel to the Halekulani. The beach access to Waikiki Beach makes for a better beach than the Halekulani Hotel.

What We Like About the Halekulani Hotel

• The resort was fully remodeled during the pandemic. You can expect modern and luxurious rooms when you book here.
• The location in Waikiki is tucked away, off the main road of Kalakaua Avenue, but close to shops and restaurants on Lewers Street.
• The service and grounds are impeccable.
• The Haleakulani Hotel is not large, so you can expect an intimate stay with amazing service.
• The Halekulani Bakery is across the street! A great place for morning coffee and French pastries.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The Halekulani is a hotel on Waikiki Beach, but the beach is very small. Due to erosion, most of the beach in front of the hotel has been lost. But they can gate off a small section of Waikiki Beach to make it feel private.

Hawaii with Points – the best resources for reward travel to Oahu:

• Booking a Trip to Oahu with Points
• 5 Cash-Draining Mistakes Hawaii Travelers Make
• The Best Credit Cards for Hawaii Travelers

4. Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

Here is another fan favorite of our readers and YouTube subscribers, the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. These next few beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach are our favorites for the location in central Waikiki and the great beach out front.

It is located next to The Royal Hawaiian, behind the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (mall). As a Marriott property, reward members can find decent deals if they time the dynamic point pricing well.

What We Like About the Sheraton Waikiki

• The location on Waikiki Beach is excellent. It is about 200 yards to walk out onto Kalakaua Avenue for shopping and restaurants. There is also a shopping center at the base of the hotel.
• You will find excellent pools, for Waikiki standards. The adult infinity pool is the best pool in Waikiki. The kids’ pool is also the best in Waikiki, with waterslides and multiple levels.
• You can walk out of the family pool and onto a prime spot on Waikiki Beach, in front of the Royal Hawaiian.
• All rooms have a private lanai, and most rooms have ocean views.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The hotel is dated. This is the main reason we don’t enjoy staying here. The rooms and amenities feel worn.
• For the price, we would rather stay next door at the more luxurious and quieter Royal Hawaiian.
• The Sheraton Waikiki can get busy. Pool chairs at the pools can fill up quickly, and they are packed closely together. Consider booking a cabana!
• Due to erosion, there is no beach directly in front of the resort. This is minor, as you can walk from the corner of the resort onto Waikiki Beach. Plus, the lack of a beach means the infinity pool falls into the Pacific. We very much consider this a hotel on Waikiki Beach!

5. The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort in Waikiki

Finally, we arrive at our favorite hotel on Waikiki Beach: The Royal Hawaiian. Erica, my wife, used to have extended work trips to Honolulu. Her team would stay here or the Moana Surfrider, making these places feel like home to her.

The Pink Palace is nearing 100 years old and shows no signs of decreased quality and service! This feels like a time capsule of Hawaii. We stay here at least once every year or two. See our video below for a full tour!

What We Like About the Royal Hawaiian

• The Royal Hawaiian has the best spot on Waikiki Beach. It sits at the end of the busy part, but few walk down here as the beach stops with erosion. The beach is wide, so there are plenty of beach chairs.
• Beach chairs fill up during the holidays, but at other times of the year it is easy to get a spot.
• The pool is small and simple but luxurious, with a hot tub and a few steps to the beach.
• For families, you get access to the Sheraton Waikiki’s family pool!
• The hotel has sprawling grounds and gardens, rare in Waikiki.
• The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is out the back door, great for food, a hula show, or shopping.
• The luau is a great option, and we rank it among the Best Oahu Luaus. Other dining options are excellent, too. Especially, the Mai Tai Bar for sunset drinks.
• For a luxury beachfront hotel in Waikiki, the room rate is reasonable.
• The Royal Hawaiian is big, but not large. It rarely feels crowded.

Drawbacks to Consider

• As a historic hotel, the standard rooms are small, even for Waikiki standards. They are also starting to get a little dated.
• You will not find private lanais (balconies) unless you stay in their tower (on the left in the picture below).

Things to Do in Waikiki and Oahu:

• 6 Best Waterfalls on Oahu
• 7 Best Private Tours on Oahu
• How to Visit Pearl Harbor on Your Own
• Polynesian Cultural Center Review

6. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

A value hotel that is directly on Waikiki Beach! For us, this is the best of the beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach for the price. You can’t beat the location and the price.

What We Like About the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

• The Outrigger Waikiki has a great location on the beach and in Waikiki. It is a short walk out of the lobby to explore Waikiki.
• The hotel is home to Hula Grill and Duke’s, both fun and lively restaurants. Duke’s has live music on the beach every night—usually, a classic rock band.
• The resort is small, with just one tower, making for an easy walk and a cozy vibe.
• Rooms have balconies, and many of them get views of Waikiki Beach.
• Shop for vacation packages that include the breakfast buffet at Duke’s.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The Outrigger Waikiki is a no-frills place. The standard rooms are a bit dated, but that is reflected in the reasonable nightly rate.
• The restaurants always have a wait, so make reservations or have a plan B! See our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary for our favorite places to eat in Waikiki.

7. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

The First Lady of Waikiki is another hotel on Waikiki Beach that we put on a pedestal. We love the lobby, the historic charm, and the beachfront location. This was the first hotel on Waikiki Beach, and the first elevator (still working) in Hawaii.

This is the place to enjoy your morning coffee on its porch as Waikiki goes by. Or enjoy a Mai Tai and the sunset from the back porch, also in a rocking chair.

What We Like About the Moana Surfrider

• We enjoy Westin properties for their service, smell, and vibe. The Moana Surfrider does not disappoint.
• This is the first and still retains its luxury among the beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach. Enjoy sitting under the Banyan Tree for a drink and live music. The location is ideal!
• The lobby is gorgeous and gets decorated for the holidays.
• Enjoy the on-site restaurants, all with ocean views.
• Stay in the historic part of the hotel for the best experience. The Ewa side tower was recently renovated, so check that out for new rooms.
• The pool is beachside and is large for a Waikiki pool.
• This is not a large hotel. We enjoy the boutique feel of the lobby and the service.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Our last stay was in the Diamond Tower. The walls are paper-thin, so we got woken up most mornings.
• Some rooms are awaiting renovation. They are still clean, comfortable, and modern, but some are ready for an upgrade.
• Check prices to see if it makes sense compared to other beachfront hotels in Waikiki, such as the Royal Hawaiian.

8. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach

The last on our list of the best beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach! This is the first one that isn’t directly on the beach, but across the street. We list more hotels on Waikiki Beach below, across the street.

We include the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach on our list because it opens onto the beach. It is easy to get your feet in the sand when leaving the lobby compared to the hotels below.

Also, this is a Hyatt hotel in Hawaii, so it is our favorite for reward travel. Use your points from our favorite travel credit cards here! In the Hyatt vs Marriott Rewards in Hawaii, Hyatt wins for the point redemption value!

What We Like About the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach

• Reward travel! This is a great hotel to book with points. This and the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach are good for using your points.
• It has a great location in Waikiki for restaurants and shopping. It is also close to Waikiki’s large park with a zoo and aquarium. See our Waikiki Things to Do for details.
• The pool is on an upper floor, overlooking Waikiki Beach and away from the hustle of the street.
• The shopping center at the base of the hotel is large and convenient.
• Private lanais (balconies) are in all the rooms. Many rooms have unobstructed ocean views.

Drawbacks to Consider

• As with many Hyatts in Hawaii, this is a large resort. While that means lots of shopping and dining options, it can also make the pool and lobby busy.
• Waikiki Beach in front of the hotel is a popular area, making for large crowds compared to other parts of Waikiki Beach.
• The pool and rooms are a bit dated and in need of a remodel.

Hotels on Waikiki Beach That Did Not Make Our List

These Waikiki hotels are across the street from Waikiki Beach or within a block of it. They are very close to the beach, but are not conveniently located.

We don’t consider these the best beachfront hotels in Waikiki because they lack the beach vibe one would expect from a beachfront hotel.

Many of these are value-hotels, not luxury accommodations. They are clean, comfortable, and very close to the beach —check them out for more details!

Beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach: Near the Hilton Hawaiian Village

• Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
• Waikiki Shore by Outrigger
• Castle Waikiki Shore

Beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach: Near Diamond Head, across Kalakaua Street

• Park Shore Waikiki Hotel: near the Queen Kapi’olani. It overlooks Waikiki Beach.
• The Twin Fin Hotel
• ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach: a large hotel that can have good rates, and is a great location.
• Waikiki Circle Hotel: a classic, vintage hotel in central Waikiki
• ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki: the most expensive hotel in Waikiki, where you can book a whole floor.

Final Thoughts on Beachfront Hotels on Waikiki Beach

Our family is a big fan of these beachfront hotels on Waikiki Beach. They provide a welcome escape from the hustle of Waikiki. Being off Kuhio Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue makes them quieter and more relaxing.

If you’re looking for a luxury Hawaii vacation for less, shop rates between these hotels as prices can vary widely. Booking a last-minute trip to Hawaii? Check out these hotels on Waikiki Beach for some deals, too!

I hope these reviews have helped you determine where to stay on Waikiki Beach. Now that you know where to stay, finish your vacation planning with our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary. We provide perfect days out, where to eat, what to do, and our favorite tours.

Download and you’re ready to board the plane to Honolulu!