Oct 27, 2018, 4:15 pm
Last edit by: margarita girl
Hotel email address: [email protected]
Reservations email address: [email protected]
Hotel's own website: https://www.royal-hawaiian.com/
Reservations email address: [email protected]
Hotel's own website: https://www.royal-hawaiian.com/
Royal Hawaiian Honolulu, Hawaii post renovation 2009 [Master Thread]
Dec 29, 2019, 11:43 pm
#496
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Nagasaki - I'm very transparent, I'm very glad you had a great stay. And more people will have great stays at the RH in the future.
My post wasn't so much about going on a budget - because if you stay for cash at the RH, it usually isn't on a budget. I was mostly trying to point out, whether points or cash - you can get a small no view room, the hotel sells out, someone is in no view small rooms any given night (I've gotten amazing rooms at the RH and Moana - I've also gotten terrible rooms).
I'm meeting a friend at the Mai Tai bar tomorrow (12/30) so I obviously have a fondness for the place.
I do think the riskiest places for a hotel stay are the Moana and Royal Hawaiian for the price you pay whether you pay cash or points - there are some not very good rooms.
My post wasn't so much about going on a budget - because if you stay for cash at the RH, it usually isn't on a budget. I was mostly trying to point out, whether points or cash - you can get a small no view room, the hotel sells out, someone is in no view small rooms any given night (I've gotten amazing rooms at the RH and Moana - I've also gotten terrible rooms).
I'm meeting a friend at the Mai Tai bar tomorrow (12/30) so I obviously have a fondness for the place.
I do think the riskiest places for a hotel stay are the Moana and Royal Hawaiian for the price you pay whether you pay cash or points - there are some not very good rooms.
Jan 2, 2020, 10:50 am
#497
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,302
New Years Eve Stay
I booked an one night award stay with the basic garden room for New Years Eve. I had a SNA denied to be upgraded to the junior garden suite 2-3 days from check in, and was upgraded to the junior garden suite because of my Ambassador status.
The suite was spacious, but the bathroom was well worn. The customer service at the front desk was courteous and professional. You will get thanks as an <insert status level> Bonvoy Elite, and that's about it. Compared to Delta at Daytona Beach where they make you feel extremely welcomed as an Ambassador Elite.
Due to it being New Years day, the breakfast location, Surf Lanai, for Bonvoy members had a 30-45 minute wait. You had a complimentary breakfast buffet for the elite member and a guest. Foods average.
Parking was 50 dollars per day.
Summary: historical hotel near shops and restaurants with great Waikiki Beach access. A hotel to stay at if you have never been. For my next staycation, I'll try out another one.
The suite was spacious, but the bathroom was well worn. The customer service at the front desk was courteous and professional. You will get thanks as an <insert status level> Bonvoy Elite, and that's about it. Compared to Delta at Daytona Beach where they make you feel extremely welcomed as an Ambassador Elite.
Due to it being New Years day, the breakfast location, Surf Lanai, for Bonvoy members had a 30-45 minute wait. You had a complimentary breakfast buffet for the elite member and a guest. Foods average.
Parking was 50 dollars per day.
Summary: historical hotel near shops and restaurants with great Waikiki Beach access. A hotel to stay at if you have never been. For my next staycation, I'll try out another one.
Feb 23, 2020, 2:45 am
#498
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 407
In November, I stayed 3 nights at the Royal Hawaiian. I decided to stay at the RH due to an Amex promotion that offered a $100 credit against $500 spent at a Luxury Collection Hotel. I also used a 50k free-night award (FNA) from a credit card for one night and the $300 credit from the Bonvoy Brilliant card. It had been a number of years since I last stayed here, so I was eager to see how it had changed. I reserved a basic room as I wanted to see what kind of upgrade my Platinum status would get me.
Check-In
With only one person ahead of me, check-in was quick and efficient, albeit mechanical and business-like, which I wasn't expecting from this once aristocratic hotel. Though my dealings with other staff at the front desk made it clear that this was simply that person's style and not everyone's. I was told they were upgrading me to Ocean View room in the Historic Wing, which I was happy to hear.
Room
The hallways leading to my fourth-floor room with their lushly carpeted floors and the hand-carved wooden doors created a really warm and classy effect that you would expect to see here. The room was neither large nor small, but just about right for two people except for the tight space between the bed and the sitting area with two chairs and a table. The bathroom was quite spacious with a walk-in shower. I had seen photos of other rooms with tiny bathrooms, so I was pleasantly surprised by the bathroom's size. I liked the old traditional feel of the room and the large King bed was extremely comfortable. Of course, with no lanai, one has to stand (with table and chairs in between) to see a very nice view of Diamond Head, the beach, and the hotel's luau area below. Below and to the right was the roof of the event room, which sort of marred the view. Nevertheless, this gave me an excellent seat from which to watch the evening luau's entertainment of hula dancing and the fire batton twirling warrior dance that capped the festivities, all without having to pay the exorbitantly high luau price. The room also has a 55-inch LCD TV, which was one of the largest TVs I've seen in Waikiki hotels.
My ocean view room
Service
My main contact with hotel service was at the Mai-Tai Bar and the one-day beach chair rental I had reserved. I often visit the Mai-Tai bar when in Waikiki, but it is pretty uneven in terms of service, even when it's not that busy. The waiting staff almost seems to avoid new arrivals and you really need to call them to get their attention. Given the relatively small size of the bar and the number of staff, service should be a lot better. That said, they're mostly very friendly and engaging once you get their attention.
Dining
My meals mainly consisted of breakfast at the Surf Lanai, a late afternoon meal at the Mai-Tai Bar, and some snacks and drinks at the Club Lounge. As a Bonvoy Platinum member, breakfast was free. I believe the charge for breakfast is normally around $45, which seems high for what you get. Although adequate, the buffet at the Moana Surfrider is only $37 and offers a greater variety. However, you can't beat the view and ambiance of the outdoor eating space there. The food at the Mai-Tai Bar was fairly good, I ordered a wagyu hamburger, fish and chips, and a pizza on different days and found them all good, especially when drinking a beer or mai-tai and taking in the view. It's also great to have your beach chair so close to the bar that you can take a leisurely lunch break there.
Location
I can't think of a more convenient location than the Royal Hawaiian. Not only are you right on the beach, but you're also within short walking distance to pretty much everything that you'll need. The trees and garden around the hotel's perimeter act as a buffer zone around an oasis and help maintain the tranquility and special Old World charm of the hotel.
Pool
It's pretty well known that the RH pool is minuscule and nothing more than a wading pool. Actually, I don't mind that since wading (and not swimming) is pretty much what everyone does in the pool. If you want to swim, you can just walk to the ocean and jump in. What I like about the pool area is that it's a great place to sit in a chaise lounge and relax. The area is very pleasant with palm trees and the sound of ocean waves. You can take a nap, read a book, or surf the Web.
Spa
I decided to use part of my Bonvoy Brilliant $300 credit on a massage at the RH's spa. I arrived about 30 minutes early to shower and take a sauna, but when I got there, I was surprised at how few facilities the spa actually had. There was a sauna, but you had to turn on a timer to heat it up from room temperature, which would have taken a long time, so I didn't even bother. There wasn't even a jacuzzi. Even the relaxation area was a very busy and noisy area with few chairs and some people standing around looking for a place to sit. The outdoor treatment tents were a nice addition and the staff was competent enough, but after the massage, there was nothing to do but change and leave. There is just nothing there inviting you to stay and relax after your treatment. The only thing that I enjoyed was the delicious lemonade in a plastic bottle that was available to drink. If I were to stay there again, I would use the spa at the Moana Surfrider, which is really excellent with dry and steam saunas, jacuzzi bath and a relaxation room with beautiful views of Waikiki Beach that really invites you to stay and relax before and after your treatment. There's simply no comparison. The RH really needs to up their game if they want to be a first-class spa.
Beach
I reserved a beach chair with an umbrella for one whole day of my stay. I've heard many people complain about the high cost of beach chairs and how they think the resort fee should cover the beach chair rental, but it doesn't. The reality is that at $40.00 for the whole day, the RH's beach chair rental is actually relatively cheaper than most other hotels on the beach. A beach chair at the Moana Surfrider goes for $60.00 for the whole day (and $40.00 for a half-day) and the location of its chairs is not as nice as the RH's. That said, my view from my beach chair was totally obstructed by all the independent chair rentals that were parked in front of me, which effectively eliminated the ocean view. The independent (non-hotel) rentals go for $50.00 for the whole day. You get a better ocean view, but you don't get a table for your drinks, food, etc. So many options, what do do? Still, I enjoyed my low-cost $40.00 rental with a wireless service button caller for food and drink just steps from the Mai-Tai Bar. In the end, I think that was the best value.
Club Lounge
One of my Platinum benefits was free access to the hotel's Club Lounge. The Club is located on the ground floor of the Malani Tower wing and you need your card key to gain access if you are entering from outside the Malani Tower. All Malani Tower guests have free access to the Club and access it directly by elevator from their rooms. I heard that the Club was always crowded and it was hard to find a seat, but that was not my experience. It was never crowded and I always found a seat, in fact, many seats. It has also been called small, but to me, it was larger than expected, but it is not that large. Design and decor-wise, I found the lounge a bit dowdy, something missing, it could definitely be remodeled and improved. That said, I really liked the open-air space with the view of the pool area and palm trees outside. Still, I can't complain, it was functional and I enjoyed a nice Thai green curry with rice and salad one evening and free-flowing sparkling wine and other liquid treats. I guess it kind of fits the 60s or 70s style of Hawaii back when the Malani Tower was built.
Resort Fee
I'm not a fan of resort fees. In fact, I try to avoid them if I can. However, there are some services that you get with the resort fee that help offset it. This time, I was reasonably happy with what I got in exchange for paying this undesirable fee. First, I got a pocket wifi device that I could take with me anywhere to stay connected to the Internet. Since my mobile phone is from outside the US, I needed this so I wouldn't have to pay the high price of international roaming fees. I found the hotel wifi to be good, even from my beach chair, but sometimes the connection would disappear, so the wifi device came in handy there and when walking around town. Second, I got a good-size bag of cookies and banana bread from the onsite bakery. The other benefit I really enjoyed from the resort fee was the historical tour of the hotel. This I can't recommend highly enough. Although it's normally a 1-hour tour, our guide was so enthusiastic and into the subject matter, that it took about 2 hours. Wow, so much to know about the hotel. For one, I learned that my upgrade to an ocean view room would not have been considered an upgrade back in the early days of the hotel. Back then, guests would have desired to be upgraded to a garden view room. You'll know why after you take the tour. Our guide really knows her history and was very engaging. Another thing I learned was that the hotel appears in the Charlie Chan movie "The Black Camel" starring Warner Oland and Bela Lugosi. After learning this, I went to YouTube and found the movie and watched it. The movie was filmed in 1931, four years after the opening of the hotel, so you get to see what the hotel looked like back then. Here's a link to the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyo84C1G0zQ Go to the 5:53 and 16:50 minute marks of the movie to see the hotel in its original glory. You'll see a lot more of the hotel if you watch the entire movie.
Overall
If you want to enjoy Waikiki Beach to the utmost, you really need to stay on the beach, and the Royal Hawaiian is about as good as it gets if you want a great location with a relaxing environment. I really enjoyed the Old World charm of the place, the time-warp that the hotel still lives in, and the relaxing oasis from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. That said, it's not perfect, the spa is second-rate in my view, a kind of gaping wound of the hotel, and the resort fee is an issue to many, as it keeps going up (when will it reach $50?). The Club Lounge is serviceable, but there are better at nearby Marriott hotels. Still, this is a historic hotel that oozes a unique charm and offers a nearly unbeatable beach experience.
Check-In
With only one person ahead of me, check-in was quick and efficient, albeit mechanical and business-like, which I wasn't expecting from this once aristocratic hotel. Though my dealings with other staff at the front desk made it clear that this was simply that person's style and not everyone's. I was told they were upgrading me to Ocean View room in the Historic Wing, which I was happy to hear.
Room
The hallways leading to my fourth-floor room with their lushly carpeted floors and the hand-carved wooden doors created a really warm and classy effect that you would expect to see here. The room was neither large nor small, but just about right for two people except for the tight space between the bed and the sitting area with two chairs and a table. The bathroom was quite spacious with a walk-in shower. I had seen photos of other rooms with tiny bathrooms, so I was pleasantly surprised by the bathroom's size. I liked the old traditional feel of the room and the large King bed was extremely comfortable. Of course, with no lanai, one has to stand (with table and chairs in between) to see a very nice view of Diamond Head, the beach, and the hotel's luau area below. Below and to the right was the roof of the event room, which sort of marred the view. Nevertheless, this gave me an excellent seat from which to watch the evening luau's entertainment of hula dancing and the fire batton twirling warrior dance that capped the festivities, all without having to pay the exorbitantly high luau price. The room also has a 55-inch LCD TV, which was one of the largest TVs I've seen in Waikiki hotels.
My ocean view room
Service
My main contact with hotel service was at the Mai-Tai Bar and the one-day beach chair rental I had reserved. I often visit the Mai-Tai bar when in Waikiki, but it is pretty uneven in terms of service, even when it's not that busy. The waiting staff almost seems to avoid new arrivals and you really need to call them to get their attention. Given the relatively small size of the bar and the number of staff, service should be a lot better. That said, they're mostly very friendly and engaging once you get their attention.
Dining
My meals mainly consisted of breakfast at the Surf Lanai, a late afternoon meal at the Mai-Tai Bar, and some snacks and drinks at the Club Lounge. As a Bonvoy Platinum member, breakfast was free. I believe the charge for breakfast is normally around $45, which seems high for what you get. Although adequate, the buffet at the Moana Surfrider is only $37 and offers a greater variety. However, you can't beat the view and ambiance of the outdoor eating space there. The food at the Mai-Tai Bar was fairly good, I ordered a wagyu hamburger, fish and chips, and a pizza on different days and found them all good, especially when drinking a beer or mai-tai and taking in the view. It's also great to have your beach chair so close to the bar that you can take a leisurely lunch break there.
Location
I can't think of a more convenient location than the Royal Hawaiian. Not only are you right on the beach, but you're also within short walking distance to pretty much everything that you'll need. The trees and garden around the hotel's perimeter act as a buffer zone around an oasis and help maintain the tranquility and special Old World charm of the hotel.
Pool
It's pretty well known that the RH pool is minuscule and nothing more than a wading pool. Actually, I don't mind that since wading (and not swimming) is pretty much what everyone does in the pool. If you want to swim, you can just walk to the ocean and jump in. What I like about the pool area is that it's a great place to sit in a chaise lounge and relax. The area is very pleasant with palm trees and the sound of ocean waves. You can take a nap, read a book, or surf the Web.
Spa
I decided to use part of my Bonvoy Brilliant $300 credit on a massage at the RH's spa. I arrived about 30 minutes early to shower and take a sauna, but when I got there, I was surprised at how few facilities the spa actually had. There was a sauna, but you had to turn on a timer to heat it up from room temperature, which would have taken a long time, so I didn't even bother. There wasn't even a jacuzzi. Even the relaxation area was a very busy and noisy area with few chairs and some people standing around looking for a place to sit. The outdoor treatment tents were a nice addition and the staff was competent enough, but after the massage, there was nothing to do but change and leave. There is just nothing there inviting you to stay and relax after your treatment. The only thing that I enjoyed was the delicious lemonade in a plastic bottle that was available to drink. If I were to stay there again, I would use the spa at the Moana Surfrider, which is really excellent with dry and steam saunas, jacuzzi bath and a relaxation room with beautiful views of Waikiki Beach that really invites you to stay and relax before and after your treatment. There's simply no comparison. The RH really needs to up their game if they want to be a first-class spa.
Beach
I reserved a beach chair with an umbrella for one whole day of my stay. I've heard many people complain about the high cost of beach chairs and how they think the resort fee should cover the beach chair rental, but it doesn't. The reality is that at $40.00 for the whole day, the RH's beach chair rental is actually relatively cheaper than most other hotels on the beach. A beach chair at the Moana Surfrider goes for $60.00 for the whole day (and $40.00 for a half-day) and the location of its chairs is not as nice as the RH's. That said, my view from my beach chair was totally obstructed by all the independent chair rentals that were parked in front of me, which effectively eliminated the ocean view. The independent (non-hotel) rentals go for $50.00 for the whole day. You get a better ocean view, but you don't get a table for your drinks, food, etc. So many options, what do do? Still, I enjoyed my low-cost $40.00 rental with a wireless service button caller for food and drink just steps from the Mai-Tai Bar. In the end, I think that was the best value.
Club Lounge
One of my Platinum benefits was free access to the hotel's Club Lounge. The Club is located on the ground floor of the Malani Tower wing and you need your card key to gain access if you are entering from outside the Malani Tower. All Malani Tower guests have free access to the Club and access it directly by elevator from their rooms. I heard that the Club was always crowded and it was hard to find a seat, but that was not my experience. It was never crowded and I always found a seat, in fact, many seats. It has also been called small, but to me, it was larger than expected, but it is not that large. Design and decor-wise, I found the lounge a bit dowdy, something missing, it could definitely be remodeled and improved. That said, I really liked the open-air space with the view of the pool area and palm trees outside. Still, I can't complain, it was functional and I enjoyed a nice Thai green curry with rice and salad one evening and free-flowing sparkling wine and other liquid treats. I guess it kind of fits the 60s or 70s style of Hawaii back when the Malani Tower was built.
Resort Fee
I'm not a fan of resort fees. In fact, I try to avoid them if I can. However, there are some services that you get with the resort fee that help offset it. This time, I was reasonably happy with what I got in exchange for paying this undesirable fee. First, I got a pocket wifi device that I could take with me anywhere to stay connected to the Internet. Since my mobile phone is from outside the US, I needed this so I wouldn't have to pay the high price of international roaming fees. I found the hotel wifi to be good, even from my beach chair, but sometimes the connection would disappear, so the wifi device came in handy there and when walking around town. Second, I got a good-size bag of cookies and banana bread from the onsite bakery. The other benefit I really enjoyed from the resort fee was the historical tour of the hotel. This I can't recommend highly enough. Although it's normally a 1-hour tour, our guide was so enthusiastic and into the subject matter, that it took about 2 hours. Wow, so much to know about the hotel. For one, I learned that my upgrade to an ocean view room would not have been considered an upgrade back in the early days of the hotel. Back then, guests would have desired to be upgraded to a garden view room. You'll know why after you take the tour. Our guide really knows her history and was very engaging. Another thing I learned was that the hotel appears in the Charlie Chan movie "The Black Camel" starring Warner Oland and Bela Lugosi. After learning this, I went to YouTube and found the movie and watched it. The movie was filmed in 1931, four years after the opening of the hotel, so you get to see what the hotel looked like back then. Here's a link to the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyo84C1G0zQ Go to the 5:53 and 16:50 minute marks of the movie to see the hotel in its original glory. You'll see a lot more of the hotel if you watch the entire movie.
Overall
If you want to enjoy Waikiki Beach to the utmost, you really need to stay on the beach, and the Royal Hawaiian is about as good as it gets if you want a great location with a relaxing environment. I really enjoyed the Old World charm of the place, the time-warp that the hotel still lives in, and the relaxing oasis from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. That said, it's not perfect, the spa is second-rate in my view, a kind of gaping wound of the hotel, and the resort fee is an issue to many, as it keeps going up (when will it reach $50?). The Club Lounge is serviceable, but there are better at nearby Marriott hotels. Still, this is a historic hotel that oozes a unique charm and offers a nearly unbeatable beach experience.
The Charlie Chan film you mentioned is a great watch if you're going to stay there. There's one shot from the lobby out to valet area and it looks nearly identical today, even causing me to wonder if some of the trees are period to when the movie was shot. Pretty cool.
Jul 25, 2020, 7:23 am
#499
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
Looking to book a stay at the Royal Hawaiian next year, and getting a bit nervous about many reviews that say some rooms are terrible. I am booking using points, and the only rooms available for for points are the base level "no view" rooms, which I assume align with those that were disappointed. I am Ambassador status and would be trying to use SNAs for an upgrade - are my chances good?
Jul 25, 2020, 10:00 am
#500
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,156
Looking to book a stay at the Royal Hawaiian next year, and getting a bit nervous about many reviews that say some rooms are terrible. I am booking using points, and the only rooms available for for points are the base level "no view" rooms, which I assume align with those that were disappointed. I am Ambassador status and would be trying to use SNAs for an upgrade - are my chances good?
Jul 25, 2020, 10:21 am
#501
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
Looking to book a stay at the Royal Hawaiian next year, and getting a bit nervous about many reviews that say some rooms are terrible. I am booking using points, and the only rooms available for for points are the base level "no view" rooms, which I assume align with those that were disappointed. I am Ambassador status and would be trying to use SNAs for an upgrade - are my chances good?
Jul 25, 2020, 10:34 am
#502
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
Jul 25, 2020, 1:32 pm
#503
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
Lots, bit mostly ones that seem like a total waste of an SNA, like “Garden view King room”. Doesn’t the “S” in SNA stand for suite? It seems like the only suites in the pool are garden view historic. No SNA options for anything in the Mailani Tower, even non-suites.
Jul 25, 2020, 5:05 pm
#504
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Jul 25, 2020, 6:00 pm
#505
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,916
So a suite is in the pool but not the suite you are looking for? I’ve seen places where not even the least desirable suite is in the pool.
Jul 26, 2020, 10:23 am
#506
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
I don't know the property well enough to know what I am looking for. Just trying to get a feel for how likely I would be to get any meaningful upgrade.
Jul 26, 2020, 2:33 pm
#507
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I think some of the best upgrade chances will be next year - tourism is forecasted to be a fraction of what it has been the past few years (at least a 30% hit possibly much more)
Jul 26, 2020, 3:21 pm
#509
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
Jul 27, 2020, 12:08 am
#510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,229
I’ve never used SNA’s as a platinum/titanium at this hotel and always have been upgraded to a tower ocean view room. Sometimes it’s even the tower corner rooms with wraparound balcony facing diamond head which I’d count as some of the best rooms in Waikiki. Granted I usually go for the marathon which is low season so YMMV if by some miracle there is a high season next year corresponding to your visit dates.