The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, WaikikivsHilton Waikoloa Village
Both hotels are recommended by those who travel for a living. Overall, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort scores significantly higher than Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort comes in at #5 in Hawaii with accolades from 16 publications including Frommer's, Fodor's and Lonely Planet.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki Show All Reviews
2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815
From $254/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Concierge
"After a multimillion-dollar renovation, completed in 2009, fans of the iconic pink palace can breathe a sigh of relief: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is more glorious than ever before."
i
Which room to book: Be sure you're in the historic wing, in a Beachview room.
Fodor's
"There's nothing like the legendary Pink Palace of the Pacific, and an $85 million face-lift in 2009, the iconic hotel set on 14 acres of prime Waikiki Beach is a unique blend of luxury and tradition." Full review
Oyster
Luxury
"Of the three luxury hotels in Waikiki -- the Moana Surfrider and the Halekulani are the others -- the 528-room Royal Hawaiian provides the most stunning design." Full review
Lonely Planet
"With its Moorish-style turrets and archways, the aristocratic, oh-so-pink Royal Hawaiian was Waikiki's first true luxury hotel."
i
For old-school ambience, ask for the historic building; for ocean views, the modern tower.
Travel + Leisure
"Iconic, surfer-filled Waikiki—so famous that its image has even been printed on tens of thousands "aloha shirts"—is almost always full of tourists and happy beachgoers." Full review
DK Eyewitness
"The beloved “Pink Palace of the Pacific” has been a Waikīkī landmark since it opened in 1927. The stucco exterior, the interior decor, and even the towels are pink here."
Rough Guide
"The 1920s “Pink Palace”, commanding the beach, is one of Waikiki’s best-loved landmarks. Its original building, looking out across terrace gardens to the sea, remains irresistible."
Star Service
"Both new and returning guests will find this grande dame a formidable fashion-forward refuge with the kind of provenance that is nearly extinct in the world of hostelry. " Full review
Michelin Guide
"Still chic as ever, the storied Pink Palace of the Pacific was a Hollywood playground when built in the Spanish-Moorish style in 1922."
Gayot
"A storied hotel fondly known as 'The Pink Palace of the Pacific,' The Royal Hawaiian abounds with tales from decades of history as the lodging of choice."
Hilton Waikoloa Village Show All Reviews
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, Waikoloa, Island of Hawaii, HI 96738
From $172/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Frommer's
"It’s up to you how to navigate through this 62-acre oceanfront Disneyesque golf resort, laced with fantasy pools, lagoons, and a profusion of tropical plants in between three low-rise towers." Full review
Gayot
"Over the top and swanky, this 62-acre, 1,242-room resort is located about 40 minutes from the Keahole-Kona International Airport."
i
For added value and special events, the annual Dolphin Days celebration (mid-June) is the best time to visit.
Oyster
Upscale
"The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest and most family-friendly resort in the Kailua-Kona area, and is often referred to as the “Disneyland“ of the Big Island." Full review
DK Eyewitness
"Set in extensive and beautiful grounds, this is the giant among Kohala’s resorts."
Zagat
4.0
"This oceanfront village-type property is a great resort for families, where guests travel by monorail or water tram around lush, expansive grounds."
Afar Magazine
"To cast all your cares on the Pacific Ocean and bask under the warm Hawaiian sunshine, book a room at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort." Full review
The Telegraph
8.0
"A tram and property-encircling moat, complete with motorized longboats, help visitors and timeshare owners navigate three room towers, nine restaurants, three monstrous pools and a series of lagoons." Full review
Travel + Leisure
"Courtesy of Hilton
Navigate this splashy playland on Waiulua Bay via mahogany canal boat or air-conditioned tram." Full review
Fodor's
"Dolphins swim in the lagoon; pint-size guests zoom down the 175-foot waterslide; a bride poses on the grand staircase; a fire-bearing runner lights the torches along the seaside path at sunset." Full review
Frommer's
"It’s up to you how to navigate this 62-acre oceanfront Disneyesque golf resort, laced with fantasy pools, lagoons, and a profusion of tropical plants in between three low-rise towers" Full review