The Kahala

Honolulu, Oahu

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Diamond Head Ocean View Room
Hoku's
Diamond Head Ocean View Room
Hoku's

The hotel

The Kahala has always been one of Hawaii's top hotels, with a celebrity guest list that's included nearly every president since Richard Nixon! Even Cond Nasté Traveller thinks it has the 'Best Rooms and Restaurants in the US'. And when you get there you'll see why. Your spacious room will overlook either the ocean, mountain or lagoon. There's a beautiful pool area to relax by and even the fitness centre has ocean views to give you a boost. When it comes to eating here, you can choose between four stylish restaurants - the award-winning Hoku's, with its innovative fusion menu, comes highly recommended.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kids Club
  • Valet parking
  • Wheelchair access
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Beachfront location
  • Restaurant
  • Scuba Diving

Where is it

Nestled on an exclusive crescent ivory sand beach, just east of Diamond Head on the island of Oahu.

Hotel information

338 rooms on 10 floors with 3 lifts. Newly renovated rooms all with air-conditioning, cable TV, complimentary WiFi, telephone, plush bathrobes, large bathrooms with Floris amenities, and hairdryer. Scenic Rooms sleep maximum 2 adults and 1 child (up to 17 years). Only rooms on the ground floor have a terrace.

Ocean View Rooms and Partial Ocean View Rooms, Ocean Front Rooms have a Juliet balcony. Ocean View Lanai Rooms, Ocean Front Lanai Rooms, Scenic with Lanai Rooms and Partial Ocean View Lanai Rooms, have full balconies with furniture and sleep maximum 2 adults and 1 child (up to 17 years).

4 restaurants: Hoku's (fine dining), Plumeria Beach House (à la carte and buffet), The Veranda (afternoon tea) and Seaside Grill. Swimming pool. Use of beachside chi health energy fitness centre with steam rooms, Jacuzzi and dry sauna. Award-winning spa suites. Water sports* including surfing* and scuba diving*. Keiki kids' club*. Guests are welcomed with a cool towel and Aloha lei at check in. Business centre. There is a free shuttle service to Waikiki with its shops, bars and restaurants. Valet or self-parking $32 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: There's a $8 daily donation for the Koa Tree Planting Fund (payable locally, subject to change).

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2626)
  • Very good (605)
  • Average (206)
  • Poor (93)
  • Terrible (77)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding

Jul 1, 2020 LKies

My mother and I spent a weekend at the property and it was so relaxing and enjoyable. We had a spacious lanai that made sitting out on it the highlight of her stay. The ocean view was incredible. We could also see Diamond Head. We spent hours watching fishermen, surfers and families enjoying the water. The hotel surprised and delighted us when we… Read more
My mother and I spent a weekend at the property and it was so relaxing and enjoyable. We had a spacious lanai that made sitting out on it the highlight of her stay. The ocean view was incredible. We could also see Diamond Head. We spent hours watching fishermen, surfers and families enjoying the water. The hotel surprised and delighted us when we saw they had delivered a fabulous chocolate dessert plate with a handwritten note by staff members wishing my mom her 94th birthday. The dolphin show on property was fun to watch. The property was not fully functioning due to Covid. However, they did a great job accommodating us. Big Mahalo to Kahala Resort and it’s entire staff. Job well done. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Exquisite hotel and beach property

Jun 30, 2020 kawikanui01 O'ahu, Hawaii

We live on Oahu and chose the Kahala for a family stay-cation. We booked online for 2 nights, but the hotel was so beautiful that we extended for a 3rd night. We stayed during Covid, but the hotel took many precautions to ensure all guests were as protected as possible—plastic dividers at the front desk, hand sanitizer available throughout the… Read more
We live on Oahu and chose the Kahala for a family stay-cation. We booked online for 2 nights, but the hotel was so beautiful that we extended for a 3rd night. We stayed during Covid, but the hotel took many precautions to ensure all guests were as protected as possible—plastic dividers at the front desk, hand sanitizer available throughout the common areas, and masks worn at all times on the property by guests and staff. The rooms are “vintage elegance”. They’re large, with just the right amount of furniture to maintain the space, and the bathrooms are beautiful. Although the hotel is very modern, it felt like the rooms have this nostalgic luxury feel to them. Typical hotel rooms don’t look like this, is what I’m trying to say. We had an ocean view room, and the views were amazing. Due to covid, there were a limited number of lounge chairs available around the pool, but can’t really help that given the situation. There were plenty of lounge chairs for the beach, and the beach fronting the hotel is awesome! Lived on Oahu my whole life and I’ve never been to this stretch of beach directly in front of the hotel. Other than beaches on military bases, there are no private beaches in Hawai‘i, so the public can use this beach. But because of it’s location, it’s not a popular beach among many locals. Mostly just hire guests out there. The service from the staff was great. Mahalo to Preston at the front desk, to Ms Ing at the pool working hard to keep everyone happy out there, and to the GM Joe Ibarra for making the hotel kama’ friendly! We’ve already booked our return visit for July, including a dolphin encounter! Looking forward to it! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Very Tired Hotel

Jun 22, 2020 OzzieBBay San Francisco, California

Inter-island travel finally opened up in the Hawaiian Islands so after sheltering in place for several months on the Big Island my wife and I decided to take a quick trip to Oahu for a change of scenery. The Four Seasons Oahu still had yet to open so we decided to try the Kahala Resort near Diamond Head. After hearing so much about this classic… Read more
Inter-island travel finally opened up in the Hawaiian Islands so after sheltering in place for several months on the Big Island my wife and I decided to take a quick trip to Oahu for a change of scenery. The Four Seasons Oahu still had yet to open so we decided to try the Kahala Resort near Diamond Head. After hearing so much about this classic Hawaiian resort, we were sorely disappointed. I must say that the staff was incredibly polite and helpful at every opportunity. The problem is that this hotel is sorely in need of a face lift and paint job. The rooms are dated and need new contemporary furniture. The bathrooms reflect a 1960s sensibility and should be gutted and remodeled. I know that this hotel has received many glowing reviews and accolades, which is fine for a three star hotel. But for a hotel that charges the same room rates as the Four Seasons, the Kahala Resort is a complete waste of money. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Incredible Anniversary

Jun 18, 2020 scottjks Honolulu, Hawaii

We celebrated our anniversary at the Kahala and had an incredible time. The Kahala staff was warm, accommodating, and went out of their way to make it a personal experience for our special day. From the moment we walked on property, the staff knew of our arrival, knew our dogʻs name, and setup our room with personal touches that truly added to our… Read more
We celebrated our anniversary at the Kahala and had an incredible time. The Kahala staff was warm, accommodating, and went out of their way to make it a personal experience for our special day. From the moment we walked on property, the staff knew of our arrival, knew our dogʻs name, and setup our room with personal touches that truly added to our experience. The room was also beautiful, clean, spacious, and had an amazing ocean view. It was obvious that the hotel had taken many precautions to ensure that the property, staff, and guests were safe, including social distancing, marking spaces on the ground, signage, and other measures in common areas. We felt safe the entire time. All of our meals were also excellent, from the dine-in breakfast on the veranda, to the delicious takeaway lunch and dinner from Hokuʻs. We especially loved the Ahi Poke Musubi (we ate it twice) and the Jumbo Prawn Fettuccini. Overall, we could not have picked a better place on island to celebrate our anniversary. After the crushing blow of having our 2-week summer vacation cancelled because of COVID, this short stay-cation allowed us a nice break from the stresses of daily life. We would love to come and stay again! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Early Father's Day Vacation Stay @ The Kahala Resort Hotel June 2020

Jun 15, 2020 15lanettel Hawaii

Alohalani felt that her Father was well worth her share of her Stimulus Money! Sow e celebrated an Early Father's Day! We enjoyed a 2 night stay in an Oceanview, with the Pool and Beach just steps away from our Room. The Staff was so friendly and accommodating. They really went out of their way to make sure our stay would be memorable!