The Kahala

Honolulu, Oahu

Virgin rating

The hotel

The Kahala has always been one of Hawaii's top hotels, with a celebrity guest list that's included nearly every president since Richard Nixon! Even Cond Nasté Traveller thinks it has the 'Best Rooms and Restaurants in the US'. And when you get there you'll see why. Your spacious room will overlook either the ocean, mountain or lagoon. There's a beautiful pool area to relax by and even the fitness centre has ocean views to give you a boost. When it comes to eating here, you can choose between four stylish restaurants - the award-winning Hoku's, with its innovative fusion menu, comes highly recommended.

Amenities

  • Scuba Diving
  • Windsurfing
  • Kids Club
  • Wheelchair access
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Hot tub
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking

Where is it

Nestled on an exclusive crescent ivory sand beach, just east of Diamond Head on the island of Oahu.

Hotel information

338 rooms on 10 floors with 3 lifts. Newly renovated rooms all with air-conditioning, cable TV, complimentary WiFi, telephone, plush bathrobes, large bathrooms with Floris amenities, and hairdryer. Scenic Rooms sleep maximum 2 adults and 1 child (up to 17 years). Only rooms on the ground floor have a terrace.

Ocean View Rooms and Partial Ocean View Rooms, Ocean Front Rooms have a Juliet balcony. Ocean View Lanai Rooms, Ocean Front Lanai Rooms, Scenic with Lanai Rooms and Partial Ocean View Lanai Rooms, have full balconies with furniture and sleep maximum 2 adults and 1 child (up to 17 years).

4 restaurants: Hoku's (fine dining), Plumeria Beach House (à la carte and buffet), The Veranda (afternoon tea) and Seaside Grill. Swimming pool. Use of beachside chi health energy fitness centre with steam rooms, Jacuzzi and dry sauna. Award-winning spa suites. Water sports* including surfing* and scuba diving*. Keiki kids' club*. Guests are welcomed with a cool towel and Aloha lei at check in. Business centre. There is a free shuttle service to Waikiki with its shops, bars and restaurants. Valet or self-parking $32 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: There's a $8 daily donation for the Koa Tree Planting Fund (payable locally, subject to change).

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (3538)
  • Very good (712)
  • Average (250)
  • Poor (123)
  • Terrible (96)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Beautiful Kahala Hotel in Oahu, is a great place for a luxurious stay in Oahu.

Jan 29, 2025 L1602XFpaulinen Little Rock, Arkansas

The Kahala Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a great place to enjoy a luxury vacation in Oahu. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated and are equipped with comfortable beds, a lanai or balcony, a large bathroom and dressing area and luxurious amenities. We had a king room an larger rooms and suites are available. The room has a large tv… Read more
The Kahala Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a great place to enjoy a luxury vacation in Oahu. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated and are equipped with comfortable beds, a lanai or balcony, a large bathroom and dressing area and luxurious amenities. We had a king room an larger rooms and suites are available. The room has a large tv with cable, a small fridge, a shower and separate tub. Our room had a lanai which bordered the Dolphin lagoon. There is a swimming pool and spa pool adjacent to the pool area. The exterior areas are beautifully landscaped and maintained. There are several dining facilities; an indoor dining room and bar next to the lobby area and another dining room and bar on the lower level. Food is also available in the pool area, and there is an outdoor dining area next to the pool. The hotel is family friendly and offers educational programs by Dolphin Odyssey, but no staged dolphin shows. There several shops on the main level which sell bathing suits and casual clothing as well as souvenirs and art. The hotel has a casual resort feeling and a relaxing ambiance. This is not a resort to book if you are looking for a party atmosphere.No one will try to sell you tours, but there is a desk that will help you with tours if you want to schedule them. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Kahala and recommend it to couples,singles and families. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Top notch service!

Jan 25, 2025 saltieri1

From our initial contact with Ellen Maki in resrevations and throughout our stay, everthing was excellent. Room, lanai and bathroom were spacious and clean. All staff were very friendly and helpful and location of the hotel was perfect for us; away from hustle and bustle of Waikiki but close enough to have easy access to downtown restaraunts… Read more
From our initial contact with Ellen Maki in resrevations and throughout our stay, everthing was excellent. Room, lanai and bathroom were spacious and clean. All staff were very friendly and helpful and location of the hotel was perfect for us; away from hustle and bustle of Waikiki but close enough to have easy access to downtown restaraunts etc. Valet service was very convenient. Security was excellent. One night we intentionlly left our room door ajar as another couple was stopping by and within minutes, security knocked to let us know our door was open! Cleaning staff was excellent each day; ice bucket was always full and room was always clean! Our only suggestion (we recognize this is a luxury hotel and Oahu is expensive) would be to have a more reasonably priced breakfast and dinner option. We did have breakfast each day at the hotel even though cost was very high. We elected to leave the property for dinner each night to find more casual menu variety and more reasonble cost. That said, we definetly would come back to this hotel next time we visit! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A resort which has a cruel practice of dolphin captivity in a very small shallow pool.

Jan 24, 2025 Christian C

First and foremost, my partner organised the hotel without being aware of the cruel practice of captive dolphins. My father in Wales has a bigger and deeper pond than these unfortunate creatures have the miserable misfortune to be trapped in. I found it absolutely inhumane and can’t believe the practice is allowed to continue. I do hope (and I… Read more
First and foremost, my partner organised the hotel without being aware of the cruel practice of captive dolphins. My father in Wales has a bigger and deeper pond than these unfortunate creatures have the miserable misfortune to be trapped in. I found it absolutely inhumane and can’t believe the practice is allowed to continue. I do hope (and I hear there are ongoing efforts to end the cruelty of these amazing dolphins) a more humane way of looking after these dolphins can be achieved. Second, the hotel is in need of a more contemporary renovation- it felt old - there was peeling wallpaper and scuffed walls. Also, there was an awful stench of sewage just a few steps away from the hotel at the beach; therefore, I did not dare to swim. I noticed a canal which brings storm water and overflowing garbage into the ocean at this hotel. In future I’d stay at The Royal Hawaiian or Moana Surfrider. For an amazing resort experience check out The Turtle Bay Beach Resort North of Hale’iwa. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Slice of Heaven

Jan 23, 2025 scottmeise Minnesota

We’ve been traveling to HI for years to visit our daughter. This trip was very special because of the Kahala resort. The property is beautiful, rooms are spacious, views are incredible, restaurants offered a nice blend of morning brunch to delightful dinners and the best beach!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful hotel

Jan 19, 2025 panCake444

The hotel is clean and elegant. Very peaceful. We loved the culture classes available. Part of the reason we selected the hotel was the access to the beach. And it was a wonderful beach, clean and mild. Great for swimming.