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10 Waikiki Hotels on the Beach

So you’re planning a Hawaii vacation and looking for beachfront Waikiki hotels. There are many hotels in Waikiki, and all of them are near the beach. However, these Waikiki hotels on the beach are located directly on the beach.

Before we get to the list of Waikiki hotels on the beach, let’s learn more about Waikiki. As a Hawaii Travel Agent and travel blogger, I see a lot of confusion about just where Waikiki is located.

Where is Waikiki?

Waikiki is a neighborhood in the city of Honolulu, the largest city in Hawaii. Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu.  

Oahu is not the same as the Big Island, where the active volcano is located. Oahu is the most populated island and the most popular for tourism. This is one of the most common mistakes I see by those heading to Hawaii for the first time.

I’m sure many people have ended up on the Big Island thinking it was Oahu or vice versa!

The Big Island (whose real name is Hawaii) is the largest Hawaiian island but the least populated. 

If you want to see an active volcano, you’ll have to visit the Big Island. If you’re looking for Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head Crater, or the city life of Honolulu, you’ll want to visit Oahu.

To learn more about the islands, check out: “Which Hawaii island is best?”

No matter where you stay in Waikiki, I recommend having a rental car; I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

Although you don’t need a car on Oahu as you do on the other islands, you’ll probably want one! Waikiki is easy enough to get around by foot/bus/taxi, but you’ll need a car to explore other parts of the island. The North Shore is somewhere you don’t want to miss!

Beachfront hotels in Waikiki

Now that we’re finished with our Hawaii geography lesson let’s get to the list of the Waikiki hotels on the beach. 

Waikiki is a relatively small area, but most hotels are not beachfront. If you’re looking for beachfront hotels in Waikiki, you’ll want to choose from one of the hotels on this list.

Don’t forget to also check out the best restaurants in Waikiki.

Hilton Hawaiian Village

When you decide to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village during your Waikiki vacation, you must choose between four different accommodation options. Those options include The Ali’i, Tapa Collection, Village Tower, or the Rainbow Tower. 

The Ali’i offers beachfront boutique accommodations that are slightly further from the hustle and bustle of this hotel. Staying in these rooms will mean you can spend your vacation pampered in a private sanctuary. 

The Tapa Tower

Inside the Tapa Collection, you will discover newly renovated rooms that represent the beauty of Hawaii. These rooms are perfect for relaxing and unwinding at the end of a long day. 

The Rainbow Tower

The Rainbow Tower rooms and suites offer gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. The best part, though, is all the rooms are located conveniently near the lagoon, swimming pools, beach, and restaurants. 

The Rainbow Tower is my favorite, and I recommend an oceanfront room or – even better – a corner oceanfront room!

The Village Tower

The Village Towers rooms and suites are further from the beach. However, all the rooms still offer stunning ocean and city views. 

There are six different swimming pools to enjoy during your stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Paradise pool has water slides. A couple of the other pools are family-friendly, while others cater to adult guests only. 

You can find many other activities besides swimming when you stay at this Waikiki hotel on the beach. A few more popular activities include stand-up paddleboard yoga, catamaran cruises, and Atlantis submarine tours. Your family may even want to participate in some of the fitness classes. 

My all-time favorite activity, though, is the Waikiki Starlight Luau. It is held on the Great Lawn every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Listen to live music and watch the performers dance. Make sure you keep your eyes open during the fire knife dance!

Oh, and when it comes to eating, this hotel on the beach has you covered! There are plenty of on-site restaurants for you to choose from for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time.

Castle shore waikiki

This Waikiki hotel on the beach is actually condominiums only 20 minutes away from the airport. Each room of Castle Shore Waikiki has a kitchenette, sitting area, laundry area, and balcony. When you are not in your room, you may find yourself on the terrace or garden. 

There is also a swimming pool and tennis court on site. 

The Waikiki Beach Walk is only one-third of a mile from this hotel. Other nearby attractions include the US Army Museum of Hawaii and Kalakaua Avenue. 

Preparing meals in your room is easy at this Waikiki hotel. However, when you don’t feel like cooking, the Ka Pila Grille is right there to make mealtime simple.

The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian is a resort on Waikiki Beach that is as luxurious as it sounds. This historic hotel offers elegant rooms and suites in the historic wing and the Mailani Tower. All rooms and suites within the Mailani Tower are spacious. Plus, they each have a private lanai, which is perfect for viewing the ocean at any time of the day. 

The historic wing may be older, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been updated. Recent updates have turned these spaces into your vacation sanctuary. The rooms and suites in this wing offer views of either the garden or the ocean. 

When you are not relaxing in your room, you will find yourself out exploring the island. Or at least the area of Waikiki Beach. Parasailing, catamaran cruises, and surfing lessons are only a few of your options down by the water. 

You can go shopping a few steps from your hotel room away from the water. Of course, when you want to leave this resort, you can. I can easily arrange a visit to Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, or Pearl Harbor. 

As for dining options, you will find plenty of on-site restaurants at the Royal Hawaiian. The Royal Hawaiian Bakery should be your first stop for coffee and a sweet treat every morning. Although, if you want a sit-down meal, Surf Lanai is open and ready to serve you. 

The other restaurants and bars are open for lunch and dinner. Just don’t forget to attend the Aha’aina Luau on Mondays and Thursdays during your stay. 

Alohilani 

The tranquil rooms and suites at the Alohilani Resort were inspired by the serene landscape of Oahu. Every room and suite offers gorgeous views of the ocean and the beach. I recommend reserving a suite if possible because they all have private lanais. 

There are a few different restaurants and bars at the Alohilani Resort in Waikiki. However, the most popular one at this Waikiki hotel on the beach is Morimoto Asia Waikiki. This restaurant offers dishes created by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. 

Downtime outside your room can include time at the swimming pool, spa, or fitness center. Of course, there are dozens of activities and attractions you can add to your itinerary close to this Waikiki resort.

Hale Koa

Hale Koa is an Armed Forces hotel on Waikiki Beach. This oceanfront resort is located on 72 acres of what has long been the US Army’s Fort DeRussy. You must be active military, have served in the military in the past, a family member of a military member, or another authorized person to book a vacation at this Waikiki hotel on the beach. 

The rooms and suites at this hotel are located within the Ilima Tower and Maile Tower. Some of the rooms at this hotel are small, while others are much more spacious. A few rooms face the lush tropical gardens. Others will have you gazing out towards the ocean. 

The Java Cafe is the perfect place to begin your day. Happy’s Fast & Fresh also offers breakfast and other quick to-go options. Two full-service restaurants, a bar, and a lounge are excellent options when you have time to sit and relax. 

The main swimming pool at this hotel also has water slides for afternoon fun. Other relaxing activities can include spending time at the spa or the beach. 

The luau at this hotel is held on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach

Adventures and relaxation are two of the many things that can be found when you choose to stay at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. This is one of the best Waikiki hotels on the beach for embracing the Hawaiian lifestyle. 

All the rooms and suites at this Waikiki hotel offer luxurious amenities. Depending on which room you reserve, you may find yourself staring out at Diamond Head, the city of Waikiki, or the sparkling Pacific Ocean. While you can gaze out a window, I prefer to sit out on the private lanai, enjoying the solitude. 

Check out Project Expedition for the BEST tours in Waikiki and Oahu at the best prices, all with free cancelation!

Photo courtesy of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach.

The restaurants at this hotel look out towards the ocean. You can choose to dine inside or out on the patio. As you eat, live Hawaiian music will play in the background. And if you don’t want to eat with anyone else, you can choose to have your meals delivered directly to your room. 

The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort location is perfect if you want to spend part of your vacation exploring the Waikiki resort district. The Waikiki Beach Walk is only steps from your room. 

Other nearby attractions include the Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park, and the Honolulu Zoo. 

Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Moana Surfrider is a historic hotel locally known as the “First Lady of Waikiki.” This Waikiki hotel on the beach might have opened back in 1901. That hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the most luxurious beachfront hotels on the island. 

There are three wings at this resort. Each wing offers spacious rooms and suites. Contemporary rooms complete with a balcony are available in the Tower Wing. A more intimate layout can be found in the rooms within the HIstoric Banyan Wing. The Diamond Wing offers stunning views of the beach from every room. 

Six bars and restaurants can be found at this Waikiki hotel on the beach. Each one offers views of the water. Some even have outdoor dining to enjoy the Hawaiian breeze with your meal. 

When you stay at this resort, you must take a selfie with the massive banyan tree. Or maybe have someone else take the picture to get more of the tree in there with you! 

The beachfront spa is also a must. And you won’t want to forget to spend ample time in the swimming pool. 

Sheraton Waikiki 

The Sheraton Waikiki is another beachfront resort on the island. This hotel is near many of the area’s popular attractions. Therefore, you should plan your stay as soon as possible, because this hotel books quickly. 

The rooms and suites at this Waikiki hotel on the beach have been recently redesigned. The goal was to create a tranquil space that all guests could enjoy. The inside of the rooms and suites are lovely. Most guests like yourself find themselves sitting out on their private lanais quite often during their stay. 

Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

Indoor and outdoor seating is available at all three of the on-site restaurants. Each restaurant offers specialty dishes, as well as numerous drink options. 

Time at the swimming pools may seem like an excellent idea. First, you must choose which pool to spend time at, though. The Edge Infinity Pool appears to take you directly into the ocean. The Helumoa Playground Pool has a waterslide, which is always popular with the kids. (And kids at heart!)

The Modern Honolulu

The Modern Honolulu is not only one of the best beachfront hotels in Waikiki, but it is also one of the best boutique hotels in Hawaii.

This beachfront Waikiki hotel is, well, modern. Many Waikiki hotels are old and outdated, but The Modern Honolulu is nicely updated and very affordable. 

The rooms and suites offer views of the pool, ocean, city, or yacht harbor. Most of them also offer private terraces. I recommend booking your accommodations carefully if you want to enjoy the lanai during your stay. 

The GROVE Restaurant is the only on-site restaurant at this hotel. Fresh, local ingredients are used in every dish. So, you won’t want to dine anywhere else during your stay! 

There are two swimming pools at this hotel. The Sunrise Pool is for all guests, while the Sunset Pool is for adult guests only. A fitness center is an excellent option when you want to get a workout during your vacation. And when the spa reopens, you can relax during treatment or two.

Rates begin at around $215 per night. Check prices for your preferred dates here.

Halepuna by Halekulani

The Halepuna by Halekulani is a boutique hotel that offers excellent personal customer service to every guest. The spaces at this hotel may appear simple at first. The goal of creating those spaces was to have a peaceful sanctuary every guest could enjoy. 

The spacious rooms and suites offer views of the mountains, city, or water. Private terraces provide an excellent area to sit and relax on any day. 

The only restaurant at this hotel is the Halekulani Bakery and Restaurant. It is currently closed to guests but hopefully will re-open soon. Once it does reopen, you will be amazed at the baked goods and other menu options. 

The infinity lap pool is a wonderful place to spend time when you are not exploring the island. The views from the water, and the deck, are spectacular. You may also choose to spend some time in the lush garden. 

These are the Waikiki hotels on the beach located directly on the beach. When you book your stay at these exceptional hotels, you know that the soft sand will be under your feet seconds after leaving your hotel room.

Hotels in Waikiki on the beach

There you have it, hotels that are on Waikiki Beach. Directly on Waikiki Beach, that is. Don’t worry; you’ll only be a short walk or drive from the beach no matter where you stay in Waikiki. 

If you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, check out 20 things you should never do in Hawaii, ten things to know before going to Hawaii, and 100 things to do in Hawaii.

Are you traveling to Oahu? Don’t miss The Best Oahu Golf Courses, The best Oahu snorkeling, and what is the best luau on Oahu? If you’ll be spending most of your time in Waikiki, the ten best things to do in Waikiki is a must-read.

Waikiki Hotels on the Beach

So, what did you think of this list of Waikiki hotels on the beach? Do you have another favorite hotel in Waikiki that isn’t on here? If so, make sure to share it in the comments!

If you need some help planning your Hawaii vacation, reach out! I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. I am selective about how many clients I work with, so reach out as soon as possible for the best availability. You can contact me to learn more.

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