Last updated: October 31, 2026 · By the Hotels by Hood team
Short on time? Our top picks in Waikiki
Best value: Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani — ★ 9.1/10 · from $244/night
Best splurge: Halekulani — ★ 9.2/10 · from $563/night
Closest to the sand: Aston Waikiki Beach Tower — ★ 9.1/10 · from $509/night
In this guide
Why Waikiki
Waikiki is Hawaii’s easiest beach vacation: a two-mile strip of sand on Oahu with surf lessons, shopping and restaurants all within walking distance, and Diamond Head on the skyline. For Americans there is no passport needed, and flights from the West Coast take about five to six hours.
Top things to do:
- Waikiki Beach — swim, rent a board or take a beginner surf lesson.
- Diamond Head State Monument — a short, steep hike with views over Waikiki. Out-of-state visitors need a reservation.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial — book USS Arizona Memorial tickets in advance.
- Hanauma Bay — snorkeling in a protected bay; reservations are required.
Which area should you stay in?
✓ Central Waikiki (Kalakaua Avenue): the busiest stretch, closest to shopping and restaurants.
✓ Diamond Head end: quieter, near Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo.
✓ One or two blocks back: lower prices, still a short walk to the sand.
✗ Downtown Honolulu: fine for business, but you will want to be in Waikiki for a beach trip.
Hotels at a glance: 6 stays rated 9+
| Hotel | Guest rating | Reviews | From / night | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani | 9.1/10 | 4,799 | $244 | Waikiki (about 240 m from the beach) |
| Halekulani | 9.2/10 | 2,576 | $563 | Waikiki (beachfront) |
| Ka La’i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts | 9.1/10 | 2,442 | $427 | Waikiki (about 400 m from the beach) |
| Aston Waikiki Beach Tower | 9.1/10 | 1,391 | $509 | Waikiki (about 100 m from the beach) |
| The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach | 9.1/10 | 295 | $735 | Waikiki (about 600 m from the beach) |
| Panoramic Oceanview Resort (full-kitchen units) | 9.2/10 | 338 | $292 | Waikiki (about 1.1 km from the beach) |
Prices exclude taxes and resort or parking fees.
The hotels
1. Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani — Best value
★ 9.1/10 from 4,799 guest reviews · 4.5-star · Waikiki (about 240 m from the beach)
The most-reviewed hotel in this guide (nearly 4,800 reviews) and the lowest price we found — sister hotel to the Halekulani across the street.
What we like
✓ Lowest price here ($244)
✓ Most reviewed pick in this guide
✓ About 240 m to Waikiki Beach
Keep in mind
✗ Not directly on the sand
From $244 / night
2. Halekulani — Best splurge
★ 9.2/10 from 2,576 guest reviews · 5-star · Waikiki (beachfront)
Waikiki’s classic luxury hotel, rated 9.2 — tied for the highest score in this guide. Agoda lists it with no resort fee.
What we like
✓ Right on the beach
✓ Listed on Agoda as no resort fee
Keep in mind
✗ One of the pricier picks
From $563 / night
3. Ka La’i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts — Best for space
★ 9.1/10 from 2,442 guest reviews · 5-star · Waikiki (about 400 m from the beach)
A 5-star Hilton LXR property with over 2,400 reviews, at a lower price than the other 5-star picks here.
What we like
✓ 5-star for less than the Halekulani
✓ Over 2,400 reviews
Keep in mind
✗ About a 5-minute walk to the sand
From $427 / night
4. Aston Waikiki Beach Tower — Closest to the sand
★ 9.1/10 from 1,391 guest reviews · 4-star · Waikiki (about 100 m from the beach)
The closest hotel to Waikiki Beach in this guide — about 100 m, across Kalakaua Avenue.
What we like
✓ Closest to the beach here
✓ Toward the quieter Diamond Head end
Keep in mind
✗ Pricier than most 4-star options
From $509 / night
5. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach — Most luxurious
★ 9.1/10 from 295 guest reviews · 5-star · Waikiki (about 600 m from the beach)
Residence-style 5-star rooms rated 9.1 — the top-end choice in this guide.
What we like
✓ 5-star residences
✓ 9.1/10 guest score
Keep in mind
✗ The most expensive hotel here
✗ Fewer reviews (about 300)
From $735 / night
6. Panoramic Oceanview Resort (full-kitchen units) — Best for families
★ 9.2/10 from 338 guest reviews · 4.5-star · Waikiki (about 1.1 km from the beach)
Every unit has a full kitchen, there are two pools on site, and it is rated 9.2 — handy for longer stays and families.
What we like
✓ Full kitchen in each unit
✓ Two swimming pools
Keep in mind
✗ About 1.1 km to the beach
✗ A rental-style listing rather than a full-service hotel
From $292 / night
Getting there and around
- Flying in: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is about 30 minutes from Waikiki by car or shuttle.
- Getting around: Waikiki is walkable. TheBus covers most of Oahu, and you can rent a car for a day for the North Shore.
- Fees: check the resort fee and parking charges before booking — they can add a lot to the nightly rate.
FAQ
Do I need a car in Waikiki?
Not for Waikiki itself — it is very walkable. Rent a car for a day if you want to see the North Shore or the east side of Oahu.
Which part of Waikiki is best?
Central Waikiki is best for shopping and nightlife; the Diamond Head end is quieter and closer to Kapiolani Park.
How much is a 9+ rated hotel in Waikiki?
On the date we checked, the hotels in this guide ranged from $244 to $735 per night before taxes and fees.
Already know your dates?
See live prices for every hotel in Waikiki, not just the ones in this guide.
More United States guides
- Where to Stay in Waikiki: 6 Beach Hotels Rated 9+ on Agoda (2026)
- Where to Stay in Orlando: 8 Hotels Rated 9+ Near the Theme Parks (2026)
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How we pick hotels · Every hotel we list is rated 9.0+ by guests.
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