ʻAlohilani Resort is worth it in 2026 for couples and design-minded travelers who want a modern ocean-view room across the street from Kuhio Beach for less than a beachfront resort. Its 839 rooms start at a compact 330 sq ft, but the fifth-floor saltwater infinity pool is one of Waikiki’s best hangouts and the 280,000-gallon lobby Oceanarium is a genuine showpiece. Just budget for the extras: a $54 resort fee ($64.10 with tax), a $2 nightly carbon fee, a 2% card processing fee and $55–$65 a day to park.
ʻAlohilani in 30 Seconds
- Book it if: you want a stylish, social base at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, with a great pool deck and Kuhio Beach one crosswalk away.
- Skip it if: you want to walk from your room onto the sand, need more than 330 sq ft without paying for a suite, or hate add-on fees.
- Best rooms: Diamond Head Ocean View (upper floors) or Premier Ocean Front. The cheapest Classic rooms face the city.
- Longboard Club: worth it mainly through the Elevate Your Stay package, which also covers the resort fee. Run the math below before paying for an upgrade.
- Real cost: an example $350 room comes to about $547 a night all-in with self-parking.
Check ʻAlohilani and Nearby Waikiki Rates for Your Dates
Is ʻAlohilani Resort Worth It in 2026?
ʻAlohilani is the former Pacific Beach Hotel, reborn after a $115 million redevelopment, with the lobby, restaurants, pool deck and guest rooms designed by Rockwell Group. It has two towers, Beachside and Seascape, at 2490 Kalakaua Avenue on the corner of Kealohilani Avenue. It is not a beachfront hotel: Kuhio Beach is across Kalakaua Avenue, a crosswalk from the lobby.
What it does best is atmosphere for the money: an airy lobby built around the Oceanarium, a lively pool deck with cabanas and evening fire pits, two Morimoto restaurants and a rooftop court deck. What it does worst is fees. Its policies page lists four separate charges on top of the room rate and tax, so the price you see first is never the price you pay. Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it among the top 25 resorts in Hawaii in 2024, and it lists a 2026 HAWAIʻI Magazine Readers’ Choice award.
Our verdict: for a couple who will spend afternoons at the pool, mornings on Kuhio Beach and evenings walking Kalakaua, ʻAlohilani delivers more style per dollar than most hotels on the strip. For families who need floor space, or travelers who judge a hotel by its bill, there are better fits (see who should skip it below).
Rooms and Views: Every Standard Room Is 330 sq ft
All standard categories share the same 330 sq ft footprint with one king or two queen beds, so what you pay extra for is the view. King rooms take up to three guests and two-queen rooms up to four. An extra adult or a rollaway costs $100 + tax a night ($118.71).
| Category | View | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | City | 330 sq ft | Private lanai; lowest price |
| Waikiki Mountain View | Elevated mountain view | 330 sq ft | Private lanai |
| Partial Ocean View | Partial ocean | 330 sq ft | Lanai |
| Ocean View | Waikiki Beach plus mountain or city | 330 sq ft | The value pick for an ocean view |
| Diamond Head Ocean View | Diamond Head and the Pacific | 330 sq ft | Upper floors |
| Premier Ocean Front | Panoramic ocean front | 330 sq ft | The best standard view |
| One Bedroom Seascape Suite | Two view options | 660 sq ft + about 100 sq ft lanai | King bed and sofa sleeper |
| One Bedroom Beachside Suite | Unobstructed ocean and beach | 660 sq ft listed + about 170 sq ft lanai | King bed and sofa sleeper |
| Premier Two Bedroom Suite | Two view options | 1,300 sq ft + about 200 sq ft lanai | Two kings and a sofa sleeper |
At 330 sq ft, a two-queen room is tight for four people with luggage. Families who need to spread out should price a one-bedroom suite, with its sofa sleeper and separate living room, against two standard rooms. Children 17 and under stay free in existing beds, and cribs are complimentary on request.
The Oceanarium, the Pool Deck and Kuhio Beach
The 280,000-gallon saltwater Oceanarium anchors the lobby and is the first thing you see on arrival. On the resort’s November 2026 activity calendar, aquarists ran fish feedings you can watch at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, plus a 9 AM “Tank Talk” on some days. The educational program is part of the resort fee.
The pool deck sits on the fifth floor overlooking Waikiki Beach, with a saltwater infinity pool, a hot tub and five private cabanas reached by stepping stones over a reflecting pool. The pool is open 8 AM to 10 PM. There is no lifeguard, and the policies page says children 5 to 12 must be with an adult in the infinity pool and hot tub. Cabanas hold up to eight adults and are rented online through ResortPass; water loungers cost $40 + tax per day and are for registered guests only. The Please Come Again cart sells small-batch Hawaii ice cream on the deck daily from 11 AM to 7 PM. Comparing pools? See our ranking of Waikiki hotels with infinity pools.
Kuhio Beach, with its walled swimming basins, is directly across Kalakaua Avenue (our Waikiki beach zones guide explains where to swim). The resort fee includes three Beach Candy credits per room per day toward rentals such as beach chairs, umbrellas, surfboards and paddleboards; lessons and other activities cost extra. Up on the 9th-floor rooftop deck, tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are included, with equipment from the Fit Waikiki gym on the 3rd floor (6 AM–9 PM).
The Longboard Club: What You Get and When It Pays Off
The Longboard Club is ʻAlohilani’s guest-only club lounge, with indoor and outdoor seating, views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, and private cabanas reserved for club guests. It is open 6 AM to 8 PM:
- Breakfast, 6–10 AM: elevated continental fare with a signature açaí bowl.
- Evening, 4–8 PM: a made-to-order pasta station, house wines, local beers, cheese and charcuterie.
- Extra: holiday menus carry an additional charge.
There are two ways in. You can book the Elevate Your Stay package, which as of November 2026 includes daily Longboard Club access and, for a limited time, the resort amenity fee. Or you can ask guest services about an upgrade on arrival. The resort does not publish an upgrade price or say how many guests per room are covered, so get both answers in writing before you pay.
The Longboard Club Math
Price your dates twice: the Elevate Your Stay rate, and the cheapest flexible rate for the same room plus $64.10 a night for the resort fee that Elevate covers. The difference is what the club really costs. If it is less than your party would spend on breakfast and an evening glass of wine, book Elevate. If you leave at dawn for day trips and eat out every night, skip it.
If club access is a priority, compare it with the Voyager 47 club at Outrigger Reef and the Regency Club in our Hyatt Regency Waikiki review.
Dining: Morimoto Asia, Momosan and What’s Coming
| Venue | What it is | Hours (November 2026) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morimoto Asia | Pan-Asian by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto: Peking duck, dim sum, kalbi, wok dishes | Dinner daily | Reservations highly recommended; 3 hours of free parking for diners |
| Momosan Ramen Waikiki | Ramen, gyoza and small plates with an outdoor beer garden | 11 AM–9 PM daily | Casual; 3 hours of free parking for diners |
| SWELL Restaurant & Pool Bar | Pool deck restaurant and bar | Breakfast 7–10 AM; lunch and dinner 10:30 AM–10 PM | Happy hour 3–5 PM, pau hana deals 7:30–9:30 PM, live music or DJs nightly |
| Kai Coffee, Häagen-Dazs, Please Come Again | Coffee and ice cream | Varies | Häagen-Dazs is at the corner of Kealohilani and Kalakaua |
Coming next is Osteria Mamma, an Italian restaurant beside the Oceanarium from family owners Filippo and Cristina Cortivo. The resort lists it as opening in 2027, with reservations from January 2027. Until then, Morimoto Asia is the dress-up dinner and SWELL is the easy breakfast; the resort’s Beach, Bed & Breakfast offer bundles breakfast at SWELL into the rate.
Fees, Parking and the Real Cost of 5 Nights
ʻAlohilani’s policies page lists these charges on top of the room rate and Oahu’s 18.712% hotel tax (see our Oahu hotel tax guide):
| Charge | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Resort amenity fee | $54 + tax = $64.10 per night | Wi-Fi, 3 Beach Candy credits a day, 2 reusable water bottles, gym, cultural classes, Oceanarium program, in-room coffee and tea, local calls plus 60 minutes of long distance a day, rooftop courts, phone chargers, boarding-pass printing, and a free upgrade to valet on the first night for self-parkers |
| Carbon neutrality fee | $2 per occupied room night | The resort’s carbon-offset program |
| Card processing fee | 2% of every credit or debit card transaction | Applies to your final bill |
| Parking | $55 self / $65 valet per day, plus tax | Morimoto Asia and Momosan diners get 3 hours free |
| Extra adult or rollaway | $100 + tax per night | One rollaway per room where allowed |
| Tree fee | Suggested $5, one time | Optional donation |
Here is what a 5-night stay costs at an example rate of $350 a night (an illustration, not a quote):
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Room: 5 × $350 | $1,750.00 |
| Hotel tax, 18.712% | $327.46 |
| Resort fee: 5 × $64.10 | $320.50 |
| Carbon fee: 5 × $2 | $10.00 |
| Subtotal without a car | $2,407.96 ($481.59 a night) |
| Self-parking: 5 × $55 (before parking tax) | $275.00 |
| 2% card fee on $2,682.96 | $53.66 |
| Total with a car | $2,736.62 ($547.32 a night) |
So a “$350” night really costs about $482 without a car and $547 with one, before tax on parking. See how that compares across the strip in our Waikiki resort fees list, and if you only need a car for a day trip, read our Waikiki parking guide before paying $55 a night.
Who Should Book ʻAlohilani (and Who Should Skip It)
Pros
- Modern Rockwell Group design and a showpiece 280,000-gallon Oceanarium
- Fifth-floor saltwater infinity pool with cabanas, fire pits and a lively bar
- Kuhio Beach one crosswalk away, with daily Beach Candy credits for chairs, umbrellas and boards
- Two Morimoto restaurants on site and rooftop tennis and pickleball courts
- Pets allowed: up to two per room, under 75 lb
Cons
- Not beachfront: you cross Kalakaua Avenue to reach the sand
- 330 sq ft standard rooms are tight for four people
- Stacked fees: $64.10 resort fee, $2 carbon fee, 2% card fee and $55 to $65 parking
- No lifeguard at the pool
- Book it for couples, friends’ trips and first-timers who want a polished, social resort at the quieter Diamond Head end, near Kapiolani Park and the zoo, without beachfront prices.
- Skip it if stepping from the lobby onto the sand matters (the Moana Surfrider is truly beachfront), if a family of four needs real floor space on a standard-room budget, or if add-on fees spoil your trip.
ʻAlohilani vs Its Neighbors
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki, also across Kalakaua from Kuhio Beach, is the obvious alternative; our ʻAlohilani vs Hyatt Regency comparison compares them on rooms, pools and fees. If you are still choosing a street, read Kuhio Ave vs Kalakaua Ave hotels.
| Hotel | Area | Price level | Resort fee | Parking | Beach access | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach | Waikiki (Across from Kuhio Beach) | Upscale | $54 + 18.71% tax per night ($64.10/night total) | Self-parking $55/night; Valet $65/night (plus tax) | Across Kalakaua Ave from Kuhio Beach (1-minute crosswalk to sand) | Check prices |
| Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa | Central Waikiki (Across from Duke Kahanamoku Statue) | Upscale | $55 + 18.71% tax per night ($65.29/night total) | Self-parking $65/night; Valet $80/night | Across Kalakaua Ave from central Waikiki Beach (1-minute crosswalk) | Check prices |
| The Twin Fin Hotel | Waikiki (Across from Kuhio Beach) | Mid-range | $56 + 18.71% tax per night ($66.48/night total) | Valet-only $60/night + tax | Across Kalakaua Ave from Kuhio Beach (30 yards to sand) | Check prices |
| Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Luxury | $54 + 18.71% tax per night ($64.10/night total) | Valet only $65/night + tax (self-parking discontinued Dec 2023) | True beachfront (directly on central Waikiki Beach) | Check prices |
Policies and Booking Tips
- Check-in 3 PM, check-out 11 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are by request and can cost as much as an extra night.
- Cancellation: cancel at least 3 days before arrival to avoid one night plus tax; non-refundable rates are prepaid; stays of 7+ nights are billed every 7th day.
- Pets: up to two per room, each under 75 lb, for a non-refundable $100 + tax per pet (1–5 nights) or $200 + tax (6+ nights).
- Smoking: $500 per incident.
- Airport: there is no hotel shuttle; the resort suggests Robert’s Hawaii.
- Direct offers to compare: I Prefer member rates, Fall for a 4th Night (every fourth night free plus a $50 daily resort credit on select ocean-view rooms, book by December 18, 2026), the Valet Parking Package (valet and resort fee included for a limited time) and 27% off stays of 7 nights or more.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ʻAlohilani Resort on the beach?
No. ʻAlohilani is across Kalakaua Avenue from Kuhio Beach, a crosswalk from the lobby. Many rooms and the fifth-floor pool deck look over the ocean, but you cross the street to reach the sand.
What does the ʻAlohilani resort fee include?
The $54 + tax ($64.10) nightly fee covers Wi-Fi, three daily Beach Candy rental credits, the gym, cultural classes, the Oceanarium program, rooftop courts, local calls and a first-night valet upgrade. A separate $2 carbon fee and a 2% card fee also apply.
How much does the Longboard Club cost?
The resort does not publish a fixed price. Access comes with the Elevate Your Stay package, which as of November 2026 also includes the resort fee, or through an upgrade requested at guest services on arrival.
How much is parking at ʻAlohilani?
Self-parking is $55 and valet $65 per day, plus tax. The resort fee includes a free upgrade from self-parking to valet on your first night, and diners at Morimoto Asia or Momosan get three hours free.
Is ʻAlohilani good for families with kids?
It works for families with one or two young children: kids 17 and under stay free, cribs are free, and the Oceanarium and Kuhio Beach are big hits. Standard rooms are only 330 sq ft, though, and the pool has no lifeguard.
Is ʻAlohilani pet-friendly?
Yes. ʻAlohilani accepts up to two pets per room, each under 75 lb, for $100 + tax per pet for stays of 1–5 nights or $200 + tax for 6 nights or more. Pets must be leashed or caged in public areas.
Sources
- ʻAlohilani resort policies (fees, parking, pets, occupancy)
- ʻAlohilani resort FAQs (pool hours, parking validation, laundry)
- ʻAlohilani rooms and suites
- Longboard Club hours and offerings
- Elevate Your Stay package
- SWELL Restaurant & Pool Bar
- ʻAlohilani activities calendar
- Hawaii Tourism Authority listing for ʻAlohilani
Photo credits
- Photo: SueDonem / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
