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 (3433)
  • Very good (702)
  • Average (247)
  • Poor (117)
  • Terrible (93)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Family Staycation

Apr 24, 2024 StephenB2450 Honolulu, Hawaii

It was another great family staycation ath the Kahala Resort. We celebrated our son's 6th birthday with a dolphin view room. Our kids love going here and watching the dolphins and hanging out at the beach. The service was great, especially, housekeeping! They were so friendly and attentive!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Exiting the Parking Garage

Apr 24, 2024 RoyOTA

After scanning your parking ticket, your room card should be placed on the lower right corner box with a red and white triangle in a box in order for the blocking arm to go up. A picture of the machine shown at check out time would've been helpful!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Treat yourself to the luxury and great food at The Kahala Hotel & Resort!

Apr 23, 2024 gregknopp Portland, Oregon

Our experience at The Kahala Hotel & Resort was outstanding! Not only we would stay at this great facility again, we will recommend it without reservation! The only thing that was a minor frustration was the hotel's WiFi was a little weak and kept dropping there connection from our iPhones.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best hotel on Oahu

Apr 20, 2024 hannah05252024 Darien, Connecticut

The service here is exceptional. All of the staff is amazing and kind. They clean your room twice per day, once is a deep clean, and the other is a wind down at night. The room sizes are also great, and so are the views. They also have amazing experiences at the pool, beach, and the dolphin encounters. The one thing that I would improve is the… Read more
The service here is exceptional. All of the staff is amazing and kind. They clean your room twice per day, once is a deep clean, and the other is a wind down at night. The room sizes are also great, and so are the views. They also have amazing experiences at the pool, beach, and the dolphin encounters. The one thing that I would improve is the wait time at the Seaside Bar and Grill (the poolside restaurant), as it can sometimes be up to an hour. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The one of a kind Kahala! (With caveats.)

Apr 7, 2024 ImLivingMyDream San Francisco, California

The Kahala never fails to deliver! We just returned (our 5th!) and truly feel this is one of Oahu’s most special hotels. Perfectly sized, and tucked away in a lovely ocean front paradise, it’s a world away from the buzz of Waikiki. Unlike many other properties on Oahu, the lost art of customer service is alive and well at the Kahala. Almost… Read more
The Kahala never fails to deliver! We just returned (our 5th!) and truly feel this is one of Oahu’s most special hotels. Perfectly sized, and tucked away in a lovely ocean front paradise, it’s a world away from the buzz of Waikiki. Unlike many other properties on Oahu, the lost art of customer service is alive and well at the Kahala. Almost everyone we encountered was helpful and friendly, addressing us by our last name at every turn, inquiring about our stay, offering tips to better enjoy our visit. Without fail, at every turn, the staff and service at the Kahala is superior to properties elsewhere in Oahu. BUT THERE ARE SOME CAVEATS that may be deal breakers for some vacationers. First, the pool is modest in size with very limited chaise lounges and was overrun by screaming kids our entire stay, all day long. They left no room in the pool to have an adult experience (ie. free from toys, splashing, screaming in my face.) We decamped to the on-site beach but lost access to the wait staff for drinks, food, towels. At this point, we gave up on returning to the pool/beach area and went off property for our water/sun activities. Second caveat: the diminished condition of the rooms. While generous in size, with spectacular views and outfitted with every luxurious room amenity possible, there is a worn-out and slightly shabby feel to the rooms. At this price point, the carpet stains, threadbare upholstery, scratched walls and scuffed furniture is really disappointing. We enjoy the Kahala so much but have to wonder how much longer we can overlook these shortcomings for a proper Hawaiian vacation. Read less