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

  • Excellent (2621)
  • Very good (605)
  • Average (206)
  • Poor (92)
  • Terrible (77)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Ultimate Get-Away in Paradise

Mar 24, 2020 Inspire747182 Honolulu, Hawaii

When I first moved to Hawaii in 1992, it was a Hilton, but has been Kahala Hotel & Resort for a long time now. Has one of the top restaurants in Hawaii - Hoku's w wonderful food and an even better view, expensive but worth it, also wonderful afternoon tea in the main foyer also, Plumeria Beach House restaurant on the Pool level has a buffet to die… Read more
When I first moved to Hawaii in 1992, it was a Hilton, but has been Kahala Hotel & Resort for a long time now. Has one of the top restaurants in Hawaii - Hoku's w wonderful food and an even better view, expensive but worth it, also wonderful afternoon tea in the main foyer also, Plumeria Beach House restaurant on the Pool level has a buffet to die for and Arancino has delightful Italian food. You really don't have to leave the hotel for grand dining experiences. PLUS there are still dolphins in the lagoon and you can watch them all day long from your lounge by the pool, finally the beach is tremendous too, put all of that on top of great rooms with sea views and golf priv's at the Kohala country club (right beside the hotel) and you simply cannot beat a stay at the Kohala Hotel and Resort. Disclosure, Paradise does not come cheap, check the rates to be sure you are OK with the cost of the experience. If you try it, I think you'll feel like it is worth every dollar spent. PS Hoku's is our favorite place for Birthday Dinners. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Can you stay anywhere nicer?

Mar 22, 2020 kevh938 San Francisco, California

The Kahala is everything you would want in a resort. Amazing rooms, great beach, great view, great restaurants and spa. This stay was just as the Coronavirus was hitting the US. The staff did an excellent job in making everyone comfortable. Unfortunately it rained a couple of days and then we cut our trip short due to the increasing… Read more
The Kahala is everything you would want in a resort. Amazing rooms, great beach, great view, great restaurants and spa. This stay was just as the Coronavirus was hitting the US. The staff did an excellent job in making everyone comfortable. Unfortunately it rained a couple of days and then we cut our trip short due to the increasing Coronavirus. Plenty of beach chairs no service but I think that was a safety decision. Bar was close enough and made great drinks. One staff person I want to mention was Douglas he was down by the pool area every day moving chairs picking up towels and already having a smile and good conversation. We ended talking everyday and he was a incredible employee. Finally one of the highlights was the Dolphins who live there you can swim with the dolphins it’s a great experience Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Absolutely lovely

Mar 22, 2020 jillrebeccaf

My daughter and I had the pleasure of staying at the Kahala Resort. Upon check in, there was some confusion as to which package I reserved through a third party. It was determined that I would have no idea that the package was for Hawaiian Residents and both the front desk and the manager (Brian) dealt with it perfectly. They were wonderful and… Read more
My daughter and I had the pleasure of staying at the Kahala Resort. Upon check in, there was some confusion as to which package I reserved through a third party. It was determined that I would have no idea that the package was for Hawaiian Residents and both the front desk and the manager (Brian) dealt with it perfectly. They were wonderful and treated us fantastically. We were there during some rough weather and the virus looming. We had a wonderful time. We ate at the onsite restaurants and they were delicious. We were able to use the fitness center and the equipment was plentiful and very good The view from our spacious balcony was heavenly The bathroom was laid out great. Housekeeping was perfect. The entire resort was spotless, It was a lovely environment. We will definitely choose The Kahala again when we visit Oahu!! Thank you for a wonderful trip! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 30th Anniversary trip

Mar 21, 2020 j2b2m2 Oakville, Canada

We had the absolute pleasure of staying at the Kahala for the first part of our anniversary trip to Hawaii. From the moment we arrived we received outstanding and very friendly service. The beautiful leis that we each received (since framed when we came home), the great recommendations for meals and activities and finally their help with arranging… Read more
We had the absolute pleasure of staying at the Kahala for the first part of our anniversary trip to Hawaii. From the moment we arrived we received outstanding and very friendly service. The beautiful leis that we each received (since framed when we came home), the great recommendations for meals and activities and finally their help with arranging a day trip to Pearl Harbor was fantastic. We had a fabulous ground floor room, with a view of both the ocean and the dolphins. Our room was very comfortable. Meals were very nice - loved eating as the sunset, overlooking the ocean. Go early for breakfast, the buffet is plentiful but can get super busy. We also went early to the pool so as to get seats away from the pools edge and looking out to the ocean. Loved the service there, help with lots of chair covers, umbrella and towels. We ate lunch and had drinks by the pool each day. My husband relaxed with a massage at the spa. The Kahala is a treasure and we loved our time there. A great way to start our anniversary trip to Hawaii. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Weddings at the Kahala

Mar 21, 2020 jlintz Tustin, California

I just wanted to give a shoutout to the Kahala. I was supposed to get married here, and was basically on the 1 yard line but with COVID-19, my fiancé and I had to make the unfortunate decision to cancel. I still wanted to drop by and leave a review, because I had a 5 star experience planning. Anna Hinkley was our catering manager, and she is… Read more
I just wanted to give a shoutout to the Kahala. I was supposed to get married here, and was basically on the 1 yard line but with COVID-19, my fiancé and I had to make the unfortunate decision to cancel. I still wanted to drop by and leave a review, because I had a 5 star experience planning. Anna Hinkley was our catering manager, and she is amazing. She answered all my crazy questions, is extremely knowledgeable, and made the planning feel like a breeze. From our initial site tour up until cancellation, she was professional and very warm. Also, I think the way the Kahala is handling the weddings and cancellations is extremely professional amid the Coronavirus nightmare. I know my wedding would have been amazing here. If you are planning a destination wedding, book here in 2021!! I can’t wait to visit in the future and stay at the Kahala. Read less