Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / Honolulu / The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States · The Luxury Collection · Core Luxury
Opened on 1 February 1927 on Waikiki Beach, the coral-pink Spanish-Moorish resort was instantly nicknamed the 'Pink Palace of the Pacific.' Warren and Wetmore, architects of Grand Central Terminal, designed it for Matson Navigation Company's luxury liner passengers; after serving as a WWII military R&R center, it reopened in January 2009 as a Luxury Collection resort with about 528 rooms.
- 528 rooms
- Opened 1927
- Neighborhood: Waikiki
- Rooms from 350 sq ft (33 m²)
- Architect: Warren & Wetmore
- Interiors: Frances Elkins
About The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
- During World War II it was requisitioned as an R&R center for the U.S. military.
- Designer Frances Elkins redecorated its public rooms in 1947, and the Royal Beach Tower addition followed in 1969.
- After an extensive 2008 renovation, it reopened in January 2009 as The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, now with about 528 rooms.
History
The Royal Hawaiian opened on 1 February 1927 on Waikiki Beach, an instant icon nicknamed the "Pink Palace of the Pacific" for its distinctive coral-pink Spanish-Moorish architecture. It was designed by the New York firm Warren and Wetmore (architects of Grand Central Terminal) and built by the Matson Navigation Company and Territorial Hotel Company to house passengers of Matson's luxury liners.
The resort was requisitioned as an R&R center for the U.S. military during World War II, then restored, with public rooms redecorated by designer Frances Elkins in 1947. The Royal Beach Tower (originally the Sheraton-Royal Hawaiian addition) was added in 1969. Over the decades the hotel passed through Sheraton and ITT Sheraton / Kyo-ya ownership.
Following an extensive 2008 renovation, the hotel reopened in January 2009 as The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. It offers roughly 528 rooms across the historic building and the Mailani/Royal Beach Tower.
The setting
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki sits toward the south of Waikīkī in Honolulu. Duke's Waikiki is about 2 minutes on foot. Royal Hawaiian Center is about 3 minutes on foot, and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach is about 3 minutes on foot. Waikiki is the American beach night that still works: Diamond Head as the end wall, a public-park beach, and hotels that open onto sand and a Kalakaua parade of lights. 9 miles from Honolulu Airport.
Restaurants and bars
- Mai Tai Bar — Restaurant
- Azure — Restaurant · Seafood
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Private beach
Awards
- AAA Four Diamond (2026)
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