“I felt so calm that I genuinely wondered – and have continued to since – if it was a feeling I’d ever actually experienced until my five-night visit. To stay at the Royal Hawaiian is to know true relaxation.”
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Press
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort is known throughout the world as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific.” Opened in 1927, the original Spanish-Moorish inspired architecture remains unchanged but updated with 21st century amenities for the perfect mixture of historic and modern. The Royal Hawaiian features the award-winning Azure Restaurant, guest programs that highlight the indigenous culture and history of the islands, and Ahaaina, Waikiki’s only oceanfront luau with views of Diamond Head.
News.com.au
Why This Hotel in Waikiki, Honolulu is the Happiest Place in America
The Telegraph
The Telegraph Reviews the Royal Hawaiian
“The Royal Hawaiian, with its distinctive pink stucco exterior, has been a beloved Oahu landmark for nearly a century. Stellar views of Diamond Head, the Pacific Ocean and a flourishing garden make this historic oceanfront resort a great choice when staying on Waikiki Beach – particularly if you fancy the colour pink.”
Forbes: Lavish Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss at The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki
“The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort is a haven of beauty and relaxation along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss when staying at the iconic property.”
The Wall Street Journal
The Hotel Bathrobe Gets a Makeover
“The pink robe at the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu is a plush throwback to the jet-set heyday of Waikiki…Jason Momoa wore it in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ You’ll wear it after a shower.”
AFAR
Surf Schools, Water Sports, and Ocean Conservation: 7 Hawai’I Hotels for Connecting With the Pacific
"Once a week on the shores of Honolulu’s Waikīkī Beach, a cultural guide at the Royal Hawaiian leads a Hi‘uwai, a traditional Hawaiian sunrise ritual intended for cleansing and purification. As the guide begins a blessing, the group steps into the ocean, then returns to shore, faces east toward Diamond Head crater, and chants “E ala e,” a call for the sun to rise and to mark a new beginning."
The Modern
The Best Hotels in Honolulu for an Incredible Trip to Paradise
"The Royal Hawaiian is pure class, a gorgeous mixture of pink and green, and lovely architectural accents. A stroll through this hotel’s lobby is an absolute dream (and film buffs will recognize the iconic archway from Punch Drunk Love)."
Forbes
4 Ways To Use Points for a Barbie Dream Vacation
"The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Resort Collection property, is known for its rosy facade and has enjoyed the Pink Palace moniker for almost 100 years. Where better to catch some rays with your besties? Barbie lives the high life and the five-star service here is sure to deliver."
Forbes
From the Victorian Era to the Barbie Movie: A Deep-Dive Into Our Love of Pink Interior Design
"On the other hand, it was also Hollywood’s Golden Era, which marked the use of brighter pinks in places reserved for the rich and famous. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu, which is shown below, was built in the ‘30s and is a good example of this color trend."
Hotels Above Par
7 Hotels Barbie and Ken Would Definitely Check Into — From Pink Palaces to Malibu Beach Houses
“Even if you weren’t exactly up to speed on Barbie’s preferred modes of transportation—besides her convertible and camper—chances are you know she loved a luxe Hawaiian vacation, which is why we’re shining the spotlight on the Spanish-Moorish style Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki. This Honolulu-based resort offers private beachfront cabanas, unrivaled views of Diamond Head, and an array of outdoor activities, but it’s the prestige suites that really seal the “royal living” deal for us.”
The Washington Post
8 Hot Pink Hotels for Living Out Your Barbie Fantasy
"Here are eight such escapes in the United States for “Barbie” fans looking for the perfect Instagram backdrops. This 1927 Waikiki hotel is another “Pink Palace,” though it adds “of the Pacific” to the nickname."
Matador Network
The Finest Resorts in Honolulu for the Ultimate Family Vacation or Romantic Getaway
"At The Royal Hawaiian, guests can enjoy luxurious amenities such as a full-service spa, fitness center, beach cabanas and umbrellas, restaurants serving local cuisine, and an array of activities for all ages. From surf lessons to stand-up paddleboard rentals to special events hosted within the resort premises, this is a great resort for families. "
Yahoo! Entertainment
6 Best Beach Resorts in Hawaii for Mothers to Unwind
"This iconic pink hotel offers a range of spa treatments and wellness activities that are perfect for mothers looking to rejuvenate. Your mom can also participate in wellness activities like yoga or meditation, which are designed to promote inner peace and balance. The beautiful surroundings of the hotel will make her feel like she’s truly escaped from the hustle and bustle of everyday life."
TimeOut
8 of the Prettiest Pink Places on Earth
"Also known as the ‘Pink Palace of the Pacific’, it’s hard to miss the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel while strolling down the Waikiki beachfront. Built in 1927, this huge luxury hotel has a distinctive Spanish-Moorish design with a vibey pink stucco façade."
Smithsonian Magazine
How the Mother of Modern Weaving Transformed the World of Design
“In 1937, she designed fabrics for billionaire art collector Doris Duke’s Honolulu residence, Shangri La, in what Gordon calls “a magical installation, because she is rhyming her textiles with the architecture.” Liebes also contributed blinds and upholstery to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu.”
Vogue
A New Book Celebrates the Rich History of the Hawaiian Lei
“If you’ve ever stayed in a fancy hotel in Hawai‘i, you, too, were probably adorned with a fragrant lei when you arrived. But as Estes shares in her book, lei are so much more than a beautiful welcome gesture: They are an integral part of Hawaiian culture at large.”
USA Today 10 Best
The 10 Best Hotels on Oahu That Are Right on the Beach
"For a true Hawaiiana hotel experience, look no further than the Royal Hawaiian, aka the Pink Palace of the Pacific. This gem was built fronting Waikiki Beach, and is Oahu's second oldest hotel, and continues to be one of its most luxurious, even 89 years later."
The New York Times
Why I’m Still in Love With Waikiki
"Minutes after you check in, you will be under a pink-and-white striped beach umbrella, your toes in white sand. Wander over to the bar for a mai tai, commissioned as a special cocktail for this very hotel and created by Victor Bergeron in 1953, and it is like being back in time.”
Accolades
- 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Luau in Hawaii: Aha Aina (#4)
- 2025 Luxury Travel Advisor Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World – North America (#2)
- 2024 Sunset Magazine Travel Awards – Winner: “Best Coastal Gems”
- 2024 Hawai‘i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards – Resort for a Wedding (#1)
- 2024 Hawai‘i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards – Luxury Resort (#2)
- 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Historical Hotel (#5)
- 2023 Reader’s Digest – Best Overall Resort in Hawai‘i
- 2023 Hawai‘i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards – Resort for a Wedding (#1)
- 2023 Hawai‘i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards – Hotel for Romance (#2)
- 2023 Hawai‘i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards – Luxury Resort (#5)
- 2023 U.S. News & World Report Gold Award Best Hotels in Honolulu (#7)
- 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Hotel for a Destination Wedding (#3)
- 2023 Brides Magazine – Best Hawaii Honeymoon Resorts (Best for Activities)
- 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, Top 25 Hawaii Resorts (#9)
- 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Romantic Hotel (#6)
- 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Hotel Bar: Mai Tai Bar (#7)
- 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Hotel Restaurant: Azure (#7)
- 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Historic Hotel (#10)
- 2022 U.S. News & World Report Gold Award Best Hotels in Honolulu (#7)
- 2021 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – Top 25 Resorts in Hawaii, #3
- 2021 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award Best Hotel Restaurant – Azure, #8
- 2021 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award Best Hotel Bar – Mai Tai Bar, #7
- 2021 Best Hotel for Romance, Hawaii Magazine
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