Best Luxury Hotels in Honolulu

There is a particular quiet at the western end of Waikīkī, where the crowds thin and the palms of Fort DeRussy Park stand between the tower and the sea. Ka Laʻi keeps its distance from the strip. Close enough to walk barefoot to the water, far enough that the evening comes in on birdsong rather than traffic.

Inside, the mood is domestic rather than hotel-like. Rooms open onto lanais wide enough to eat on, kitchens invite a morning spent slicing mango instead of queuing for a buffet, and the light shifts through the day from pale gold to the deep blue that settles over Diamond Head at dusk. Lava stone, teak and woven textures carry the islands indoors; Hawaiian artists carry their stories in with them.

Perched beside one of the most famous beaches on earth, The Ritz-Carlton Residences has the highest infinity pool in Waikiki (eight floors up), furnished with private cabanas offering food service. Choose from a bedroom, a suite with sweeping ocean views, or one to four-bedroom apartments with kitchens and expansive living spaces. But with dining venues such as the 16-seater Sushi Sho showcasing the ancient art of edomae, Dean & Deluca and outdoor restaurants like La Vie and Quiora onsite, you’ll probably want to give the cooking a miss. And do visit the spa, with treatments incorporating volcanic stones, rainforest leaves, lehua blossoms and lomilomi massage techniques.

Boasting a private section of Waikiki beach, The Royal Hawaiian dates back to the 1920s and was once owned by the Royal Navy — it is instantly recognisable by its pastel pink Spanish-Moorish facade. Amenities include cultural activities, a programme for kids, two swimming paradises (a Malulani Pool and the Helumoa Playground), watersports, an onsite bakery, a seafood restaurant and the award-winning Azure, and Waikiki’s only waterfront luau. Stay in the landmark Historic Wing or the magnificent Mailani Tower in one of the hotel’s 528 colourful and glamorous rooms.