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]
Jan 9, 2021, 2:21 pm
#526
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 600
Back after a 5 night visit over Christmas
Very happy we stayed here
Parking if needed is in a structure adjacent to the Sheraton next door. There is currently no valet being offered so it's a bit of a walk from the structure to the front of the RH.
The hotel was much nicer than I originally anticipated. I was expecting something a little run down, but the public areas were all very well kept and the outdoor courtyard is a pink beauty.
Thankfully prior to our arrival, we were preemptively upgraded to a Maliani room with a high floor ocean view. It was decent but relatively small, especially considering the cash rates the hotel charges for these rooms. We did enjoy the balcony and those gorgeous Waikiki sunsets.
The hotel has no food/drink options currently apart from the Tiki bar. The pool did just start waiter service on Christmas which was a nice surprise the last few days.
As mentioned by other members, the location can't be beat. It's mere steps from the elevator to the sand. You do need reservations for hotel umbrella seating, but the beach itself is all public.
All in all, we enjoyed the property very much. Would gladly return
Very happy we stayed here
Parking if needed is in a structure adjacent to the Sheraton next door. There is currently no valet being offered so it's a bit of a walk from the structure to the front of the RH.
The hotel was much nicer than I originally anticipated. I was expecting something a little run down, but the public areas were all very well kept and the outdoor courtyard is a pink beauty.
Thankfully prior to our arrival, we were preemptively upgraded to a Maliani room with a high floor ocean view. It was decent but relatively small, especially considering the cash rates the hotel charges for these rooms. We did enjoy the balcony and those gorgeous Waikiki sunsets.
The hotel has no food/drink options currently apart from the Tiki bar. The pool did just start waiter service on Christmas which was a nice surprise the last few days.
As mentioned by other members, the location can't be beat. It's mere steps from the elevator to the sand. You do need reservations for hotel umbrella seating, but the beach itself is all public.
All in all, we enjoyed the property very much. Would gladly return
Jan 9, 2021, 4:20 pm
#527
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Royal Hawaiian: Booked a Historic Room King and was upgraded to a Historic Garden Suite. The lounge was closed and the free breakfast was at the Mai Tai bar. Out of all of the free breakfast options, this was the best one. No valet parking was available and only self parking was available. I did give feedback that in times of Covid that it might not be a good idea to pass a piece of paper back and forth with the attendant and to use the same method that the Sheraton Waikiki was using. Not sure if they are going to implement but they share the same parking lot as the Sheraton Waikiki. I was able to get the hotel to waive the resort fees because there was a lot that was not going on when I was there. Needed to have a pool reservation to use the pool.
Jan 9, 2021, 5:05 pm
#528
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,025
The front desk provided us a certificate for each night we were staying.
The breakfast itself was a "continental" to go box consisting of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. We also received orange juice but I think pineapple was available as well.
You can either take it to your room, or eat at some of the outdoor tables near the bar.
In my opinion, the breakfast was pretty mediocre. The potatoes and bacon were fine, but the amount of butter in the eggs was over the top.
Jan 21, 2021, 5:47 pm
#529
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: somewhere between ORD and Willis Tower
Programs: UA MM, Premier Plat, Costco EM
Posts: 1,392
Just to expand on the post above
The front desk provided us a certificate for each night we were staying.
The breakfast itself was a "continental" to go box consisting of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. We also received orange juice but I think pineapple was available as well.
You can either take it to your room, or eat at some of the outdoor tables near the bar.
In my opinion, the breakfast was pretty mediocre. The potatoes and bacon were fine, but the amount of butter in the eggs was over the top.
The front desk provided us a certificate for each night we were staying.
The breakfast itself was a "continental" to go box consisting of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. We also received orange juice but I think pineapple was available as well.
You can either take it to your room, or eat at some of the outdoor tables near the bar.
In my opinion, the breakfast was pretty mediocre. The potatoes and bacon were fine, but the amount of butter in the eggs was over the top.
Jan 21, 2021, 9:10 pm
#530
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
I was/am looking into this for personal travel, and I've confirmed with STARS angels at the hotel that breakfast credit covers the full menu. If you are only staying two nights, the terms would be different (probably closer to FHR value--but I'd confirm whether FHR is full or continental for sure).
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Jan 21, 2021 at 9:16 pm Reason: clarification
Jan 22, 2021, 7:01 pm
#532
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
There are a few STARS agents on flyertalk, including myself.
Should add, these STARS rates have to be booked through a travel agent. If you have one, great, or feel free to PM or check my singature link. Also, to be clear, full Bonvoy credit/benfits apply in addition to the included perks.
Should add, these STARS rates have to be booked through a travel agent. If you have one, great, or feel free to PM or check my singature link. Also, to be clear, full Bonvoy credit/benfits apply in addition to the included perks.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Jan 22, 2021 at 7:16 pm Reason: amplification
Feb 23, 2021, 11:24 am
#533
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 10
Feb 24, 2021, 8:50 am
#534
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
- Elite breakfast at both properties will be continental (served in Kai Market at SW) or grab & go (RH).
- Both properties have only one restuarant operating at all meal times, Rumfire (SW) and Mai Tai Bar (RH).
- STARS and Luminous bookings receive full breakfast in the restuarant.
- Both properties are offering 4th night free packages through STARS/Luminous through mid-December--3 nts at standard rate, 4th nt charge waived at checkout (repeatable).
- RH offer includes enhanced F&B credt and waived resort fee and applies to all room categories
- SW offer does not waive resort fee and requires booking ocean front category or higher
- RH does not upgrade elites from the Historic wing (no balconies) to the Mailani Tower (modern buidling with balconies), but it does sound like elites have been getting upgraded to suites at both properties (but spring break is another story)
Hope this helps frame your decision!
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Feb 24, 2021 at 8:52 am Reason: formatting/clarification
Feb 24, 2021, 5:43 pm
#535
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,025
Have not been during COVID, but have spent considerable time on research for clients and a possible personal trip. Some observations from that and reviewing FT threads:
Hope this helps frame your decision!
- Elite breakfast at both properties will be continental (served in Kai Market at SW) or grab & go (RH).
- Both properties have only one restuarant operating at all meal times, Rumfire (SW) and Mai Tai Bar (RH).
- STARS and Luminous bookings receive full breakfast in the restuarant.
- Both properties are offering 4th night free packages through STARS/Luminous through mid-December--3 nts at standard rate, 4th nt charge waived at checkout (repeatable).
- RH offer includes enhanced F&B credt and waived resort fee and applies to all room categories
- SW offer does not waive resort fee and requires booking ocean front category or higher
- RH does not upgrade elites from the Historic wing (no balconies) to the Mailani Tower (modern buidling with balconies), but it does sound like elites have been getting upgraded to suites at both properties (but spring break is another story)
Hope this helps frame your decision!
Not sure if it was due to low occupancy, but we stayed at the RH over Christmas and were upgraded from a base room in the historic wing to a Mailani tower room as a Titanium.
As far as Sheraton vs RH, I'd probably choose the Sheraton as it has more onsite amenities suitable for teens
Feb 24, 2021, 6:11 pm
#536
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Not sure if it was due to low occupancy, but we stayed at the RH over Christmas and were upgraded from a base room in the historic wing to a Mailani tower room as a Titanium.
As far as Sheraton vs RH, I'd probably choose the Sheraton as it has more onsite amenities suitable for teens
As far as Sheraton vs RH, I'd probably choose the Sheraton as it has more onsite amenities suitable for teens
I agree on choice of Sheraton, as the balcony, updated rooms, adult pool, etc. are all appealing. Plus you can still easily wander over to the Royal to bask in its beautiful grounds/lobby and historical glory. Just stay away from the hat shop...proprietor almost talked me into a $1,200 Panama last time I was there.
Some other factors that have been noted in the SW forum (where this question was also asked):
- Favorable proportion of suites to overall room count at SW
- Views from higher floors of Diamond Head at SW
- A choice of hot items on SW elite breakfast menu
- More "active" (i.e., loud) family ambiance permeates SW
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Feb 24, 2021 at 6:25 pm Reason: amplification
Mar 11, 2021, 5:22 pm
#538
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
Mar 11, 2021, 5:36 pm
#539
Join Date: Jan 2021
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (Full), Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire, Wyndham DIA, Hilton Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 701
Was this your first time using SNA at this hotel? I was wondering how easy to get an upgrade here. I'm sure it's not that difficult right now but after the pandemic....
Mar 14, 2021, 6:37 pm
#540
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Does anyone know how the Waikiki Beach Maintenance Project (a significant beach restoration/expansion project involving hydraulic dredging from Jan-May 2021) is currently impacting the beach at the Royal Hawaiian? Additionally, is the construction having any negative impact to other on-property amenities?
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek