Waikiki is one of the most famous beaches in the world. The home of surfing is one of the most popular tropical vacation spots year-round. There are hundreds of hotels on Oahu but there are 7 incredible 5-star hotels in Waikiki that stand out from the rest. Waikiki knows how to do luxury and the level of class at the 5-star hotels in Waikiki you will see on this list is magnificent.
My personal favorites are Halekulani Hotel for its quality personalized service and oceanfront views and The Royal Hawaiian for its beachfront.
QUICK PICKS: MY 3 FAVORITE 5-STAR HOTELS IN WAIKIKI
Don’t have time to read my detailed breakdown of all the best 5-Star hotels in Waikiki? No worries! These are my three top picks. If you book one of these three, you are guaranteed to have a great stay in a great location!
BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN WAIKIKI ON OAHU COMPARISON TABLE
To summarize, here’s a handy chart of my recommended 5-star hotels in Waikiki.
| 5-STAR HOTELS | RATE RANGES FROM |
| Halekulani Hotel | $555 |
| ‘Alohilani Resort | $400 |
| Trump International Hotel Waikiki | $521 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Residences | $550 |
| The Kahala Hotel and Resort | $425 |
| The Modern Honolulu | $229 |
| The Royal Hawaiian | $319 |
| Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina | $650 |
BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN HAWAII
When you book your Hawaii Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use Discover Cars. They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal!
BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN WAIKIKI ON OAHU, HAWAII
Here’s the full list of all of the top 5-star hotels in Waikiki starting with a couple of my favorites!
HALEKULANI HOTEL
Halekulani Hotel: Halekulani is one of the best 5-star hotels on Oahu which offers unparalleled amenities and top-notch personalized service. What you can expect when staying in this hotel is pure elegance from the beachfront pool to the amazing views. This property has five in-house restaurants where you can experience luxurious fine dining in Oahu.
Each room has a balcony where you can enjoy the oceanfront views and you may even see Diamond Head if you get the right room. The graceful hula and live Hawaiian music steal the show! I can’t highly recommend this 5-star Waikiki hotel enough.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Halekulani Hotel
‘ALOHILANI RESORT
‘Alohilani Resort: The ‘Alohilani Resort has one of the most beautiful rooftop pool areas in all of Waikiki. An infinity pool looks out over Waikiki Beach with in-pool sun lounges or private cabanas for relaxing. The restaurant is amazing and makes this the perfect chill area for days spent hanging out in luxury at the hotel.
The rooms are spacious, and modern and provide excellent beach views from the private balcony. The bathrooms are some of the newest and classiest in Waikiki. I really like the location of this 5-star hotel in Waikiki. It’s down the eastern end of Waikiki giving it close access to parks and less crowded beach areas. It’s definitely in my top two when considering the best 5-star hotels in Waikiki on Oahu, Hawaii.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for ‘Alohilani Resort
THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT
The Kahala Hotel & Resort: The Kahala is situated on the other side of Diamond Head so it’s a little bit away from Waikiki yet it’s close enough to explore some of Waikiki’s best shops and restaurants. I love this property because of its seclusion and tranquility and it’s right on a quiet and private beach which is a rare find in Hawaii. The hotel is small but cozy and charming.
The reef is off the shore which makes the waters here calm so it’s ideal for kids and older people plus the dolphin lagoon featuring nose dolphins, tropical fish, and sea turtles is an extra bonus! What Kalaha does well is its unrivaled hospitality that’s why it is a luxurious favorite among Hollywood celebrities even Princess Diana and Prince Charles have stayed here. With lush, exotic gardens, and an exclusive lagoon home to dolphins, tropical fish, and sea turtles, you’ll be amazed at the world of nature in The Kahala’s beautiful setting.
If you want a five-star hotel in Honolulu but want to be in the thick of the craziness in Waikiki this spot is for you.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Kahala Hotel & Resort
THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, WAIKIKI BEACH
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach: The Ritz-Carlton has always been a very popular accommodation among luxury buffs and travelers alike. It’s not easy to understand why, but I’d like to think it has a lot to do with the terrific views it offers as all studio and suite rooms are facing the ocean with fully-loaded and stocked kitchens along with washing machines, plus the two infinity pools featuring jacuzzi and a small slide for kids on the 8th floor.
The fitness is 24-hour available to guests. If that doesn’t convince you enough, here you’ll find one of the best sushi restaurants in Oahu- Sushi Sho which is Tokyo’s notable sushi master Kenjie Nakazawa’s signature and yes he does a really good job. And to all Netflix and Youtube lovers, you’ll find it so convenient that you don’t want to leave it in your room because they offer smart TVs for the guests to connect to Netflix and Youtube. Definitely one of the classiest 5-star hotels in Waikiki.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
- Rooms are facing the ocean
- Two infinity pools
- Netflix and Youtube
FOUR SEASONS RESORT OAHU AT KO OLINA
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina: This high-end resort is a perfect destination for couples and families. With numerous rooms and suites, this is by far the largest and the best Four Seasons Hotel in Hawaii. It is located in a cove half-hour away from Honolulu airport and Waikiki.
Here you’ll be spoilt with its high-standard service and exceptional facilities. Wherever you go in the world, the rooms at Four Seasons will always be large and luxurious, the bathrooms are enormous, and even their cheapest rooms are still of an excellent size, great standard, and quality. If you are looking for more space, the suites are the ones to go for and they vary in size and in view. And also the property has a golf course and a wonderful garden that stretches down to the beach and its three different pools are also an absolute highlight.
The pools and spa are world-class and if you want more privacy some rooms have their own private pools. I like the adult-only infinity pool better because this is the best spot to watch the sunset with a cocktail by your lounger (yes you are allowed to drink alcoholic drinks by this pool to help you relax!). Definitely the best 5-star hotel in Oahu outside of Waikiki and Honolulu.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
- Perfect destination
- High-standard service
- Three different pools
THE MODERN HONOLULU
The Modern Honolulu: On the edge of Waikiki and downtown, the Modern Honolulu is only a few steps away from the beach and harbor, as well as some of Hawaii’s best shopping and restaurants. Chic, white minimalist rooms, and suites with authentic design that you will feel the Aloha vibe.
The two balconies facing the ocean with sun loungers and table sets are one of the highlights of the hotel. All the rooms have a ukulele (small guitar) and three colorful sarongs hanging on the wall-Yes! you’re allowed to use them. The food at Modern offers a lot of healthy options using local ingredients which can be hard to find at other Waikiki hotels.
They also serve a beer brewed exclusively for The Modern Honolulu, it’s really good! And you maybe heard of ADDICTION! By that, I mean the famous nightclub in Honolulu that opens from Thursday to Saturday is The Modern. The coolest thing is that there is a hidden bar behind a bookshelf in the lobby. The hotel staff actually pushes the bookshelf at 5 pm so it becomes an entrance to the bar. Personally, this is not only the best but also the coolest 5-star hotel in Honolulu.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Modern Honolulu
THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN, A COLLECTION RESORT, WAIKIKI
The Royal Hawaiian, A Collection Resort, Waikiki: This 5-star hotel in Waikiki pink hotel lives up to its reputation as the most iconic of all the hotels in Oahu. It’s because it’s right on the Waikiki beach. The beach in front of the hotel is considerably wider than any other part of Waikiki beach, making it the best strip of sand in Honolulu. Guests will be delighted to know that the hotel is just walkable to plenty of retail shops including elite boutiques and restaurants.
I definitely recommend the Mailani Tower rooms because it offers panoramic views especially Diamond Head and the adult-only swimming pool and Jacuzzi are a plus! Your memorable Hawaii holiday begins at The Royal’s legendary Mai Tai Bar. There’s nothing better than enjoying the beach scene whilst sipping on your favorite cocktails. If you’re looking for oceanfront relaxation, The Royal Hawaiian is your best choice if you are looking for a historic 5-star hotel in Honolulu.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Royal Hawaiian
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL WAIKIKI
Trump International Hotel Waikiki: With world-class service like no other, this luxury hotel perfectly matches its splendor as a luxury base from which to explore. This hotel offers many modern amenities, including marble bathrooms, a fully-loaded kitchenette, washing machines, and dryers to make guests and residents stay comfortable. Some suites even come with a wine cellar.
There’s valet parking for guests and you should definitely try their spa- it’s top-notch! Seriously Trump International Hotel Waikiki does have everything you need. The highlight is the beautiful ocean, city, and mountain views from the balcony-it’s perfect during sunset and sunrise.
It was first featured in Forbes Travel Guide magazine and rated as the #1 Five-star hotel on Oahu!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Trump International Hotel Waikiki
Trump International Hotel Waikiki
- World-class service
- Valet parking for guests
- Have everything you need
I hoped you enjoyed this guide about the best 5-star hotels in Waikiki and have a great vacation in Oahu, Hawaii.
THE FOUR MOST POPULAR OAHU TOURS
- Doors-Off Oahu Helicopter Flight Tour: My number one recommendation is to do a heli-flight (doors off) and be blown away when you see Oahu from the air.
- North Shore Shark Cage Tour: The biggest adrenaline rush you can have in Hawaii is beneath the surface with sharks!
- Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Tour: One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour.
- Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran: The number 1 MOST POPULAR snorkel tour on Oahu. GUARANTEED Turtles!
WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort (Overall Favorite): In the heart of Waikiki, this high-end resort is right on the beach with a private lagoon.
- Sheraton Waikiki (Luxury): A luxury resort with the most amazing infinity pool on the island, which overlooks the beach.
- Ewa Hotel Waikiki: (Value): Ewa Hotel is just one block back from the beach and is just over $150 USD.
- Waikiki Beachside Hostel (Budget Choice): A budget alternative, which is still in an amazing location.
- Disney Aulani Resort (Family Choice): This is a resort your kids will never forget. It honestly feels like you are living in a theme park.
MORE OAHU BLOG POSTS
I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip!
- What to pack for Hawaii: THE HAWAII PACKING LIST: WHAT TO PACK
- A helpful guide to choosing accommodation: WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Most epic hike on Oahu: THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OAHU, HAWAII
- The best Waterfalls: AMAZING WATERFALLS ON OAHU, HAWAII
- Ultimate Cliff Jumping Guide: 11 BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS ON OAHU
- Guide to Swimming with Sea Turtles: WHERE TO SEE TURTLES ON OAHU
- The best Waterfall Hikes: TOP WATERFALL HIKES ON OAHU
- Best Tours: 20 BEST TOURS ON OAHU
- The Ultimate Guide to Oahu: 80 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON OAHU
BEST INSURANCE FOR TRAVELERS
Don’t wait for an accident to happen… get insured! My travel insurance is HeyMondo which offers low-cost travel & medical insurance. That’s me on the left with three teeth knocked out after a motorbike crash in Bali!
You can click to read my Full Review of the Best Travel Insurance.
I’ve made several successful claims with HeyMondo and find their customer service very quick and helpful. Click the button below to get a 5% DISCOUNT
Sam
Tuesday 9th of March 2021
Hi! Which hotel is that first picture from (just below the article title)? I've just discovered your blog and your content is so helpful in planning a trip for next summer! Mahalo!