The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Resort hotel · Kahala ·
Luxurious beachfront resort with private lagoon, spa, & 5 restaurants
Luxurious beachfront resort with private lagoon, spa, & 5 restaurants
"Opened in 1964 by Conrad Hilton, this ten-story property is in a residential area at the foot of Diamond Head. A veteran Readers' Choice Awards winner, prior guests have raved that at the hotel, "you’re so close to Waikiki, but it feels like you’re on a private island." Accommodations are done in ivory and coffee tones and have handwoven rugs, double- or four-poster beds, and tropical ceiling fans. Different respondents praised simply, that their "room was beautiful, the view breathtaking." Choose from the large breakfast buffet at Plumeria or dine on Asian-inspired specialties cooked in the show kitchen at Hoku’s. At the spa, treatments include a warm pohaku stone massage. The peaceful ambience at the spa emanates even further thanks to the exceptional service." - Kat Chen
"Opened in 1964 as one of Hawaii’s first true luxury resorts, this oceanfront classic has hosted everyone from celebrities and royalty to the Dalai Lama and nearly every U.S. president since LBJ, and today it’s an oasis in Honolulu five miles outside Waikīkī yet close to shops, eateries, hiking trails, and beaches. The 800-foot stretch of sandy shoreline fronting the property is calm, rarely crowded, and tailor-made for young kids, and the on-site 26,000-square-foot lagoon houses playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that older kids can meet while younger ones watch them at play. Grab a bike to cruise around upscale Kāhala or take the resort’s shuttle buses to nearby malls and Waikīkī—no parking stress required." - Catherine Toth Fox
"One of the Readers’ Choice Award winners clustered in Honolulu, the Kahala Hotel & Resort sits at the foot of Diamond Head and is presented as a top choice for visitors looking to stay near the capital’s iconic sights." - Rachel Cheng
"When you want Honolulu minus the crowds, this is the go-to: a blissfully quiet beach, friendly, personal service, and four high-end restaurants delivering some of the island’s best cooking. Activities abound—scuba, surfing, and stand-up paddle lessons are standard—and a family of dolphins lives in an on-site lagoon under the care of trainers and marine biologists. Opened a little over a half-century ago in an upscale neighborhood on the far side of Diamond Head, its opulence and audacious location quickly made it the place to stay, hosting entertainers, heads of state, and every American president since Lyndon Johnson." - Michael He
"After a dramatic jump in the rankings this year, this upscale Oahu property drew raves from readers, including calls of it being a favorite among travelers who’ve visited every island, reflecting strong enthusiasm for its overall guest experience." - Hannah Selinger Hannah Selinger Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated lifestyle writer based in Boxford, Massachusetts. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines