Waikiki is crowded. Honestly, if you’ve walked Kalakaua Avenue lately, you know it's a sensory overload of high-end shopping, street performers, and a million people carrying surfboards they probably don't know how to use. Right in the thick of that chaos sits the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. It isn’t just another skyscraper with a lobby; it’s basically a $200 million bet that a hotel can feel like a sanctuary while being thirty seconds away from a Cheesecake Factory.
People always ask if it’s worth the price tag compared to the older, "pink" landmarks down the beach.
The short answer? It depends on if you care more about history or a really good vibe.
The Oceanarium is actually the main character
When you walk into the lobby, you aren't greeted by a standard check-in desk. You’re greeted by a 280,000-gallon saltwater tank. This thing is massive. It’s called the Oceanarium, and it’s home to over 1,000 indigenous marine animals. You’ll see yellow tang, humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa (good luck saying that five times fast), and rays gliding past.
It’s not a gimmick.
The resort actually partners with the Waikiki Aquarium to ensure the ecosystem is legit. They have a formal feeding time at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. If you have kids, or if you're just a grown adult who likes looking at colorful fish, this is the best spot in the hotel to kill twenty minutes. It anchors the "O Bar," which serves a decent lychee martini. The scale of the tank makes the whole lobby feel alive, cooling down the humid Hawaii air just by looking at it.
David Rockwell’s fingerprints
If the design feels intentional, that's because it is. David Rockwell—the guy who does everything from Oscars sets to Nobu restaurants—designed the public spaces here. He moved away from the tired, tiki-torch aesthetic that plagued Waikiki for decades. Instead, you get reclaimed wood, neutral tones, and high ceilings.
It feels expensive but not stuffy.
Staying at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach: Room Realities
Let’s get into the rooms. There are over 800 of them. That's a lot of laundry.
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If you book a standard room, you might feel a little squeezed. It's Waikiki; real estate is at a premium. But the design is clean. Think white linens, light woods, and very "Instagrammable" bathrooms. However, if you don't book an ocean-front room, you're going to be looking at a lot of concrete and other hotels.
The Diamond Head View rooms are the "sweet spot."
You get that iconic volcanic crater view without paying the absolute maximum for a direct ocean suite. Plus, the sun hits Diamond Head in the morning, making the whole room glow. It’s better than coffee. Speaking of coffee, they use Malongo—a French brand. It's fine, but honestly, go downstairs to Kai Coffee in the lobby for the real deal. Their MacNut Latte is a local addiction for a reason.
The bed situation
The beds are firm. If you like sleeping on a marshmallow, you might struggle. But for most, it’s that "luxury hotel firm" that somehow fixes your back after a long flight from the mainland. The linens are high-thread count, and the blackout curtains actually work. That last part is crucial because the Waikiki sunrise doesn't play around; it will hit your face like a flashlight at 6:00 AM if you aren't careful.
Swell Pool: The rooftop ego trip
This is where the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach separates itself from the Sheraton or the Hyatt. The Swell Pool & Bar is on the fifth floor. It’s an infinity pool that looks like it’s spilling directly into the Pacific Ocean.
It is "the" spot.
You’ve got private cabanas that sit on "islands" within the pool. At night, they do these large-scale light projections on the side of the building called "Unveiled." It’s basically art-meets-party. Is it a bit much? Maybe. But if you’re paying $400+ a night, you kind of want a bit much.
- The Vibe: High-energy during the day, loungey at night.
- The Food: Morimoto Asia is right there (more on that in a second).
- The Crowd: Lots of 20-somethings and couples. Not the place for a quiet, meditative swim.
If you want peace, go to the beach. If you want a DJ and a $20 cocktail that tastes like vacation, stay by the pool.
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Eating at the house of Morimoto
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto has two spots here. You have Morimoto Asia, which is the "fancy" one, and Momosan, which is the "I just want ramen and a beer" one.
Morimoto Asia is spectacular. Get the Peking Duck. They carve it tableside, and it's a whole theatrical performance. The sticky ribs are also legendary—they’re coated in a hoisin-chili glaze that you’ll be thinking about for weeks. It’s expensive, though. Expect to drop a few hundred dollars if you're doing dinner for two with drinks.
Momosan is the better "everyday" pick. The Tonkotsu ramen is rich, and the outdoor seating right on Kalakaua Avenue is prime people-watching territory. You can sit there with a cold Kirin and watch the world go by. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it feels like exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword here
A lot of hotels claim to be "green" by just not washing your towels every day. Alohilani goes a bit deeper. They’ve committed to the Malama Hawaii initiative, specifically through their partnership with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative.
They are actually planting trees.
Specifically, Koa trees on the Big Island. When you stay, part of your resort fee goes toward this. You can even go visit "your" tree if you island hop. It’s a nice touch in an industry that usually just creates a lot of plastic waste. They also have filtered water stations everywhere to discourage single-use bottles. Bring a Yeti. Use it.
The "Resort Fee" sting
We have to talk about it. The resort fee is around $50 per day.
It’s annoying. Every major Waikiki hotel does it, but that doesn't make it hurt less. It covers the Wi-Fi, the pool access, the gym (which is actually a full-scale Fit Waikiki club, not a dark room with one treadmill), and a few other perks like beach candy rentals (surfboards, chairs).
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Just factor it into your budget before you arrive so you don't get "bill shock" at checkout.
What most people get wrong about the location
People think being across the street from the beach is a downside. It’s not.
Because the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is across the street, the views from the higher floors are actually better. You get the perspective of the whole coastline rather than just looking straight down at the water. Also, the section of beach directly in front of the hotel—Kuhio Beach—is shielded by a stone wall. This creates a "pond" effect.
It’s perfect for swimming.
No big waves, no getting smashed by a rogue longboarder. If you have kids, this is the safest place in Waikiki for them to touch the ocean.
The Longview
Is it the most historic hotel in Hawaii? No. That’s the Moana Surfrider. Is it the most secluded? Definitely not; it’s in the heart of Honolulu.
But it is the most "current."
It feels like Hawaii in the 21st century. It’s tech-forward, design-heavy, and focused on a younger, more active traveler. You aren't coming here to hide from the world; you’re coming here to be in the middle of it, with a very nice room to retreat to when the crowds get too loud.
Actionable Advice for your stay:
- Request a high floor: Anything below the 10th floor in the Seascape tower will mostly give you a view of the ABC Store across the street. Aim for 25 and up.
- Skip the hotel breakfast: Walk two blocks to Musubi Cafe Iyasume. It’s cheap, authentic, and way more "Hawaii" than a standard buffet.
- Use the Fit Waikiki gym: It’s one of the few hotel gyms that actually has squat racks and turf. If you’re a fitness nut, don't bother looking for an outside gym.
- Book Morimoto Asia ahead of time: Don't walk up at 7 PM and expect a table. Use OpenTable at least two weeks out.
- The "Hidden" Longboard Club: If you can swing the upgrade, the Longboard Club access includes a private breakfast and evening wine/beer with heavy appetizers. If you drink two glasses of wine and eat a light dinner there, the upgrade pays for itself.
Go for the Oceanarium, stay for the Swell pool, and make sure you actually get out of the resort to see the rest of Oahu. The North Shore is only an hour away, and the shrimp trucks there are better than anything you'll find in a 5-star kitchen.