The Kahala

Honolulu, Oahu

Virgin rating

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

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

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
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (3040)
  • Very good (644)
  • Average (222)
  • Poor (108)
  • Terrible (85)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Our 2nd time her and not worth it

May 20, 2022 tzeledon06

Check in was very painful and our room wasn't ready at 3PM. We were only staying for 1 night, so a prompt check in time was really important for us especially traveling with a baby that needs a place to nap. Room was OK and we had to call for sheets and a blanket. Not the service you expect from this price and type of hotel. Overall dissapointed.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A great hotel but starting to look a bit “tired”.

May 19, 2022 JanicefromWales Stamford, Connecticut

The rooms are good. They are large, well furnished with sofa, chair and small table. Bedding is changed every other day. Nice balcony with comfy chairs and a table. Coffee machine and kettle supplied and tea/coffee restocked every day. Plenty of bottled water left in the room. A decent size fridge. Each evening the bed gets turned down, fresh… Read more
The rooms are good. They are large, well furnished with sofa, chair and small table. Bedding is changed every other day. Nice balcony with comfy chairs and a table. Coffee machine and kettle supplied and tea/coffee restocked every day. Plenty of bottled water left in the room. A decent size fridge. Each evening the bed gets turned down, fresh towels and two chocolate squares left at the bedside. All in all a very good experience. There was only one white robe in our bathroom and this was frayed and had a hole in it. Disappointing as I use the hotel robe. The internet connection comes and goes. Some days it’s fine, others problematic. The hot water to our room has been ‘iffy”. It took so long to get warm one night I had half filled the bath before realising it was still running cold. Shower difficult to control temperature. We asked maintenance to look at it and a new unit was installed. Still runs very hot at times. Staff are just wonderful. So friendly and kind. Restaurants produce good, interesting food. Downside is on a Tuesday and Wednesday night the Plumeria Beach House restaurant is closed. Alternatives if you don’t want to leave the hotel complex is limited. The Veranda has a very limited menu. The Italian restaurant looks fabulous, if you like Italian food. We used the beachside bar but it closes at 5.00 pm. The beachside bar would be great if it served drinks after five as it is the ideal place to lounge and watch the sunset. If you want to do this you have to go into the main hotel and use the Veranda bar/restaurant. Not so comfy if you are still in your beach attire. Another downside is there is only one pool. This can get crowded and noisy. A small paddling pool for infants and a hot tub is close by. There are plenty of loungers around the pool, with umbrellas but they get taken up quickly. The grass and beach has loads of sun loungers. Trouble is trying to find shade from the relentless, sun! We’ve visited numerous times and will be back! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating What a beautiful spot!

May 18, 2022 Gurbeer4 San Francisco, California

This resort is beautiful, very well taken care off, service is excellent, people always ready to genuinely enhance your experience at the resort. Italian restaurant at the entrance is top notch. Rooms are exceptional, very relaxing. Beach is pretty much private with some locals visiting it almost every day. Perfect with kids and we dont have kids… Read more
This resort is beautiful, very well taken care off, service is excellent, people always ready to genuinely enhance your experience at the resort. Italian restaurant at the entrance is top notch. Rooms are exceptional, very relaxing. Beach is pretty much private with some locals visiting it almost every day. Perfect with kids and we dont have kids yet. One thing would love bar service at the beach too. Close to Waikiki too. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Paradise in Paradise

May 18, 2022 MrsMiles518 Oahu, Hawaii

If you ever have a chance to stay at The Kahala, do it! From the luxury amenities, beautiful views, and amazing staff you will not be disappointed. They truly make you feel soo important and like their ohana.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing and beautiful. Employees delightful

May 17, 2022 Dominick F

The Kahala was an amazing first class resort. The property is impeccable and the staff are happy, friendly and always available to accommodate your every need. The resort contacted us a few times to be sure we were happy and they were available via text or telephone.