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
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2657)
  • Very good (608)
  • Average (207)
  • Poor (94)
  • Terrible (77)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Slice of Paradise

Jan 15, 2021 SleepySea Bellevue, Washington

We booked a five night stay in one of the ocean view rooms since this hotel is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World. There was a bit of confusing during check in but was quickly cleared. They upgraded us to a corner ocean view with a large lanai under the Leader’s Club Aurelian tier program and we could not be more pleased. The hotel… Read more
We booked a five night stay in one of the ocean view rooms since this hotel is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World. There was a bit of confusing during check in but was quickly cleared. They upgraded us to a corner ocean view with a large lanai under the Leader’s Club Aurelian tier program and we could not be more pleased. The hotel has taken every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of all guests and staff. One day we noticed that they have a UV machine to disinfect guest rooms! Our room was completely clean with very nice bathroom facilities. The water pressure was very strong and there was also a separate soaking tub and an automatic Japanese washlet. The daily house keeping was excellent. One thing to note is that during the pandemic, guests will have to request house keeping or they do not enter the room which might be a welcomed feature to some. The hotel ground is well kept with a dolphin pool where you can choose to swim with the dolphins or just watch the performance. Our booking includes breakfast at the Plumeria Beach House with an 80 dollar allowance per day which was enough to get us plenty of food but we managed to go over everyday - that’s how good the breakfasts are! The wait staff is polite and professional and provided excellent services. The hotel offers both valet and self parking options. We opted for self parking since we don’t feel comfortable with valet when there is a pandemic going on. The rate is 40 dollars per night whether self parking or valet. I think for a car dependent resort like this one, perhaps they should waive the parking fee like most resorts we visit in Europe, but it’s definitely not a deal breaker. The location might not be ideal for first time visitors to the island as it’s a bit far from where the actions are, but it’s great if you value privacy or are done with most of the touristy things and just want a place to unwind before heading home - which was our case. We have not felt so pampered in a long time. We will definitely be coming back for more. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating FANTASTIC peaceful oasis in the heart of busy Oahu

Jan 7, 2021 Jan H Honolulu, Hawaii

I recently spent three full days and 2 nights at the entirely lovely The Kahala Hotel and Resort. I was nervous for it to be my first hotel stay since covid. However, as a Hawaii resident, I was excited for the opportunity to "staycation" at a property I had never stayed at. It turns out, I had nothing to worry about. The Kahala's covid… Read more
I recently spent three full days and 2 nights at the entirely lovely The Kahala Hotel and Resort. I was nervous for it to be my first hotel stay since covid. However, as a Hawaii resident, I was excited for the opportunity to "staycation" at a property I had never stayed at. It turns out, I had nothing to worry about. The Kahala's covid protocol are impeccable, and the hotel has done an amazing job at helping to create a peaceful environment from check in all the way to check-out. Right now, the crowd is not big, so it was ideal for peaceful time at the pool as well as the quiet beach not overrun with people. The salon was renovated within the last year and had great covid safety protocol. I got my feet done with their "fancy" pedicure, my first pedicure since March! It felt amazing, the woman who did my pedicure was amazing, the massage chair was amazing, and the whole environment was calm. They even let me order an iced coffee while there and room service brought it to me. We got an upgrade to one of their gorgeous suites, and it was so amazing we didn't really feel the need to leave the property for the whole three days. Also, and this cannot be overstated, by someone who loves the option for room service, even pre-pandemic ... The Kahala = one of the last remaining hotel properties that still knows how to do room service right! By that I mean, so many hotels are cutting costs, not doing the whole presentation, etc. I remember when room service used to feel like a special indulgent treat. Many places are not that way anymore. The Kahala is the exception, with covid protocol in place. White table service, heating compartments, real glasses for water/drink, etc. They bring it in but due to covid they can't set the whole thing up, which was totally fine. We ate room service three times because it was safe, we had a great view from our suite, and the food lost zero quality from eating at an actual restaurant. They have these special chocolate covered mac nuts they sell in their gift shop that are super tasty and fresh. We spent a lot of time watching the dolphins, even when there was no visitor activity going on. We went on two of their slow nights, so Hoku's and the Veranda were not open - but that didn't even matter to us. The property was beautifully decorated for Christmas and there were a lot of Christmas photo ops! This is a GREAT option for visitors and for locals like us, if you don't want to be in the middle of Waikiki, especially during the pandemic. I can't wait to go back. And, as a local, I found out that I can go to their spa even if I'm not staying there. I have not felt safe going anywhere for a pedicure, and now I have a spot. Even if it's more expensive than at a regular place out of a hotel, it's worth it and I will just space it out farther in between. I look forward to also trying their massage services! Lastly, the suites (I'm not sure about the standard rooms) have a great soaking tub and they provide you with free bath salts! Super relaxing! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice dinner

Jan 5, 2021 Elizabeth C Baarn, The Netherlands

We didn't sleep to the hotel but we had have there a nice and romantic dinner. The restaurant is just in front of the soft sand beach. The food was quite good, with Japanese and Asiatic influences. Fish really fresh and well presented into artistic mîse ân place. Just a bit expensive.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating When you stay at the Kahala Hotel and Resort everyone gets VIP status

Dec 10, 2020 taekwondome Fremont, California

My family and I have stayed at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on the island of Oahu several times over the years. The moment you drive up to the valet area you are treated like a VIP. On this last trip things were a bit different. There were less guests and staff due to the pandemic, but that didn't mean less quality of service by the hotel. From… Read more
My family and I have stayed at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on the island of Oahu several times over the years. The moment you drive up to the valet area you are treated like a VIP. On this last trip things were a bit different. There were less guests and staff due to the pandemic, but that didn't mean less quality of service by the hotel. From being greeted by Craig at the valet area, to being checked in by Linda, to receiving above and beyond service by Romel, the Kahala delivers 5 star service, as well as old world luxurious accommodations (the room bathrooms have a ton of space, and have state-of-art bidet toilets!). If you are planning a trip to Oahu, staying at the Kahala it is definitely worth it. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Good, not quite great.

Nov 30, 2020 Steve R New York City, New York

Just stayed here for 9 days in late November 2020. The positives - on beach, away from hustle bustle of Waikiki, very pleasant staff, excellent car valet (quick and friendly), good restaurants, dolphin and salt water pond amazing. The not so positive - property and pool kind of worn down. Can't drink alcohol on beach. Seemed over booked for… Read more
Just stayed here for 9 days in late November 2020. The positives - on beach, away from hustle bustle of Waikiki, very pleasant staff, excellent car valet (quick and friendly), good restaurants, dolphin and salt water pond amazing. The not so positive - property and pool kind of worn down. Can't drink alcohol on beach. Seemed over booked for Covid and facilities. Pool chairs scarce. Some nights only way to get a drink was to either dine at restaurant or order to go in plastic cup, and even then not really any place to sit inside or outside. The point is order the drink to go and bring it to your room. Also, no room service was available. I think Covid rules are making it difficult to achieve high customer satisfaction when booking aggressively. The Kahala should allow less bookings and not sacrifice space and service. They are trying though, will give them that. Read less