Honolulu has the widest range of accommodation in Hawaii, from historic beachfront icons to budget hotels with no resort fees. Most visitors stay in Waikiki, but Ala Moana and the downtown area offer solid alternatives. Here’s where to stay by area, with specific hotel recommendations at each price level.
Where to Stay in Honolulu: Waikiki
Waikiki is where 90 percent of visitors to Honolulu stay. The neighborhood is a dense strip of hotels, restaurants, and shops along a 3-km beach. Kalakaua Avenue is the main street, and hotels on the ocean side cost significantly more than those across the street or along Kuhio Avenue one block inland. Waikiki suits first-time visitors who want to walk to the beach, restaurants, and tours. The tradeoff: it is crowded, with 72,000 visitors on any given night, and parking runs US$40 to US$65 per day at most hotels.
Suggested Hotels in Waikiki
Halekulani
On Waikiki Beach overlooking Diamond Head, Halekulani has been Honolulu’s standard-bearer for understated luxury since 1917. It features three restaurants (including La Mer, Hawaii’s longest-running AAA Five Diamond restaurant), a heated pool with an orchid mosaic made of 1.25 million glass tiles, and a live jazz lounge. Best for couples and honeymooners who value service and serenity over scene. Check rates and availability
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
At 22 acres on the widest stretch of Waikiki Beach, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a self-contained resort with five towers, five pools (including a 10,000-square-foot super pool with waterslides), 20 restaurants and bars, a saltwater lagoon for kayaking and paddleboarding, and Friday night fireworks. The Rainbow Tower offers some of the best ocean-view rooms at a mid-range price point. Best for families who want resort amenities and do not mind a busy, lively atmosphere. Check rates and availability
Waikiki Central Hotel
A no-resort-fee hotel a 2-minute walk from Waikiki Beach, Waikiki Central Hotel offers clean, compact rooms with mini-fridges at about half the price of beachfront competitors. It is steps from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Kuhio Beach, and Queens Surf Beach. Best for budget travelers who want a Waikiki location without paying Waikiki resort fees (which can add US$30-50/night elsewhere). Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Honolulu: Ala Moana
Ala Moana sits between downtown and Waikiki, anchored by the massive Ala Moana Center mall and a half-mile protected beach that locals prefer over Waikiki. Hotels here are slightly cheaper than Waikiki beachfront properties and the area is quieter. It is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride (TheBus route 8, US$3) to Waikiki’s main strip.
Suggested Hotels in Ala Moana
Prince Waikiki
Facing the Kewalo Basin harbor on the western edge of Ala Moana, the Prince Waikiki offers unobstructed sunset views and a 5-minute walk to Ala Moana Beach Park. All rooms face the ocean, and the infinity pool overlooks the harbor. Best for travelers who want a luxury experience away from Waikiki’s crowds with Hawaii’s best sunset views from the room. Check rates and availability
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra
Connected to the Ala Moana Center via a pedestrian bridge, this hotel puts you steps from 350+ stores and restaurants. Rooms are comfortable but not luxurious, and some have kitchenettes. The pool deck overlooks the marina. Best for shoppers and travelers who want easy access to both Waikiki (15-minute walk) and Honolulu’s best mall. Check rates and availability
The Equus
A small, family-run boutique hotel on the Ala Moana/Waikiki border, The Equus has 67 rooms decorated with equestrian and Hawaiian themes. Rates are among the lowest for a hotel this close to Waikiki, and it does not charge a resort fee. Best for budget-conscious travelers who want a quieter, more personal alternative to the Waikiki mega-hotels. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Honolulu: Downtown and Chinatown
Downtown Honolulu is the business and historic district. It stays quiet after 5 PM and on weekends, which means lower hotel rates than Waikiki. The area is well-served by TheBus and a 15-minute drive from Waikiki. Best for business travelers and visitors who prioritize history and Chinatown’s food scene over beach access.
Suggested Hotels in Downtown Honolulu
AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu
A modern, European-style hotel on Bishop Street in the financial district. Rooftop pool, fitness center, and an AC Lounge serving tapas and craft cocktails. Walking distance to Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, and Chinatown’s dim sum spots. Best for business travelers and couples who want a sleek downtown base at a lower rate than Waikiki. Check rates and availability
Executive Centre Hotel
Located on the upper floors of the Executive Centre office tower with views over the harbor and downtown. All-suite rooms with full kitchens make it practical for longer stays. Best for extended-stay travelers and business visitors who need workspace and cooking facilities. Check rates and availability
Hawaiian King
For more on planning your trip to Honolulu, see our month-by-month weather breakdown, best time to visit guide, things to do in Honolulu, annual events and festivals, neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide, practical travel tips, and complete Honolulu travel guide.
A budget-friendly condo-style property one block from Ala Moana Beach Park and a 10-minute walk from Waikiki. Spacious one-bedroom units with full kitchens and private lanais. Best for budget travelers who want a full apartment rather than a hotel room and do not mind a short walk to the beach. Check rates and availability
