The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is worth booking in 2026 if you want space, a full kitchen and a private lanai for a mid-range price: suites start at about 500 square feet, and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is right next door. This Ilikai hotel review also covers the catches: a $45 nightly resort fee plus tax ($53.42), valet-only parking at $45 a night, the quirks of a 1960s condo tower, and an exterior repair project that can lock your lanai for about two weeks until it wraps up in spring 2027.
Our Verdict: Great Space for the Money, Book With Your Eyes Open
- Book it if: you are a family or a long-stay traveler who wants a real kitchen, separate living space and a lanai, within walking distance of a calm lagoon and Ala Moana Center.
- Best suite for most people: a Junior Suite with a Sunset Ocean View over the yacht harbor, or a Two-Bedroom Ocean View if you need two kings and want to see the Friday fireworks over the lagoon.
- Skip it if: you want resort polish, self-parking, a big pool scene or brand-new interiors, or if you are sensitive to daytime construction noise before spring 2027.
Compare the Ilikai With Nearby Hotels on Your Dates
Ilikai Hotel Review: A 1964 Landmark Run as an All-Suite Hotel
The Ilikai opened in February 1964 as one of the largest condominium projects of its time. Architect John Graham Jr., who also designed Seattle’s Space Needle, gave it three wings radiating in a Y, and an exterior glass elevator was added to carry diners to the rooftop restaurant. From 1968 to 1980 the building starred in the opening credits of Hawaii Five-O, with Jack Lord on a penthouse lanai, and the 2010 remake recreated the shot. The Apollo 13 crew stayed here after their 1970 splashdown.
Today the tower is mostly condominiums. The hotel rents a pool of about 183 suites that were renovated in 2015, and other units are rented by the Waikiki Marina Resort at the Ilikai and by private owners. All of them share the same address, lobby and pools, but service, furniture and fees differ, so check the exact name on your booking. This review covers the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites, rated AAA Three Diamond.
Pros
- Every suite has a full kitchen with a four-burner stove, full-size fridge, microwave and toaster
- Studios start at about 500 sq ft, and every suite has a private lanai
- Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and Kahanamoku Beach next door, Ala Moana Center about 10 minutes on foot
- Waikiki Trolley Pink Line stop at the hotel and Friday fireworks across the lagoon
- Noon check-out, daily housekeeping and free cribs
Cons
- $45 resort fee plus tax, and valet-only parking at $45 a night plus tax
- Exterior spall repair and painting through about April 2027 can close lanais for about two weeks
- Older building with condo-style quirks; furnishings vary by unit
- Pools are modest, with no slides or adults-only area
Ilikai Suites Compared: Junior, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom
There are no standard hotel rooms here. Every unit is a suite with a kitchen, a private balcony, air-conditioning, a 40-inch wall-mounted TV and high-speed Wi-Fi. The view in the name is what you pay for, so it pays to understand the labels.
| Suite | Approx. size | Beds | View options | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Junior Suite (studio) | 450–550 sq ft | King + sofa bed | City, Partial Ocean, Ocean, or Sunset Ocean over the marina | Couples and small families |
| Luxury One-Bedroom Suite | 650 sq ft | Separate bedroom + living room | Varies by unit | Families who want a door between kids and adults |
| Luxury Two-Bedroom Suite | 1,240 sq ft (corner) | Two kings + sofa bed | City, Ocean (over the lagoon) or Oceanfront | Two couples or families of five or six |
Sizes come from the hotel and from Costco Travel’s room listings. The two-bedroom corner units have two balconies and a wraparound view, which is the best way to see both the harbor and the lagoon. Kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel appliances, which makes self-catering easy: Foodland Farms and the other grocers at Ala Moana Center are a short walk away, and our Waikiki grocery guide lists more options.
How big are the lanais?
The hotel promises a private balcony in every suite but does not publish lanai sizes. Owner listings in the building commonly describe lanais of about 120 square feet, large enough for a small table and chairs, and the two-bedroom corners get two of them. That outdoor space is the Ilikai’s biggest edge over its neighbor Prince Waikiki, which has no balconies at all.
Which Suite We Would Book
For two people, a Junior Suite Sunset Ocean View faces the yacht harbor and the evening sun. For a family, the Two-Bedroom Ocean View looks over the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, where the Friday fireworks go up. Avoid City View if the lanai is the reason you are booking. Compare it with other suite hotels in our guide to Waikiki hotels for a family of 5 or 6.
2026 Alert: Exterior Repairs Until Spring 2027
The building is in the middle of an exterior concrete spall repair and painting project. Notices posted by rental managers in the tower in 2026 say each unit’s lanai is locked for a work window of roughly two weeks, with furniture moved inside, and that crews work weekdays during business hours. The whole project is expected to finish in April 2027. The hotel does not publish a schedule, so if your trip falls before then, email guest services before you pay a non-refundable rate and ask whether your suite type is affected during your dates.
Pools, the Lagoon and the Beach
The Ilikai has two heated outdoor pools: the main pool on the lobby-level deck and a smaller, shallower pool one level up, plus a sun deck and a bathers’ elevator so you do not drip through the lobby. Loungers, umbrellas and beach towels are covered by the resort fee. The bigger draw is outside: the hotel sits beside the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and Kahanamoku Beach, a calm, enclosed lagoon that suits small children and stand-up paddlers. Duke’s Lagoon Surf Shop on the ground floor rents gear and runs surf lessons, and Ala Moana Beach Park is a short walk across the canal.
Dining Inside the Ilikai
- Empire Steak House: a New York steakhouse brand in the former Pesca space at the top of the building, with coastline views, happy hour 4 to 6 PM, dinner until 10 PM and weekend brunch. No swimwear.
- Menehune Grille: casual island food with an open-air bar over the harbor, 7 AM to 9 PM daily.
- Paradise Poke: takeout poke, 10 AM to 9 PM, with 10% off when you show your room key.
- Hawaiian Aroma Caffé: espresso, waffles and açaí bowls in the courtyard, 6 AM to 2 PM.
- Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream (50-plus flavors) and Kuʻai Market for snacks, drinks and essentials, open 7 AM to 11 PM.
On Fridays the center courtyard hosts live Hawaiian music and hula from 6 to 8 PM, which leads straight into fireworks night.
Friday Fireworks and Harbor Sunsets
Hilton Hawaiian Village launches its Friday fireworks over the lagoon next door, usually at about 7:45 or 8 PM, and the Ilikai is one of the closest buildings to the show. Lagoon-facing lanais get the best seat; if yours faces the city, walk down to the lagoon’s edge a few minutes early. Our Friday fireworks guide has timing tips.
True Cost: $45 Resort Fee, 18.712% Tax and Valet Parking
Oahu hotel stays pay 18.712% tax (11% state TAT, 3% county TAT and 4.712% GET), and that tax also applies to the mandatory resort fee. See our Oahu hotel tax explainer for the details.
| Charge | Per night | 7-night stay |
|---|---|---|
| Resort fee ($45 + 18.712% tax) | $53.42 | $373.94 |
| Valet parking (no self-parking) | $45 + tax | $315 + tax |
| Example: $250 suite rate with tax, plus resort fee | $350.20 | $2,451.40 |
The $250 rate is an illustration of the math, not a quote. The resort fee covers pool loungers and umbrellas, beach towels, a bottled-water voucher and a keiki-size ice cream voucher at check-in, 24-hour gym access, in-room coffee, the in-room safe, a laundry detergent starter pack, boarding-pass printing in the lobby and local calls. Wi-Fi is free. The card-operated guest laundry costs extra but is a big help on long stays.
Ways to Pay Less
The hotel runs direct offers such as a fourth night free, prepaid advance-purchase rates, a 15% discount for guests 50 and over with ID, and a kamaʻāina rate for Hawaii residents. Compare those against Booking.com before you commit, and only keep a car on the nights you will actually drive.
Location: Ala Moana Center, the Trolley and the Airport
The Ilikai sits at 1777 Ala Moana Boulevard on the western edge of Waikiki. For conference trips, compare our hotels near the Hawaii Convention Center. Ala Moana Center is about 0.6 miles away, roughly a 10-minute walk, and the Waikiki Trolley Pink Line stops at the hotel ($6 for a one-day ticket). Honolulu airport is about 9 miles away, usually around 30 minutes by car, and the hotel recommends Roberts Hawaii for shuttles. Central Kalakaua Avenue is farther than it looks on a map, so most guests ride the trolley or TheBus in the evening. See our ranking of the best hotels near Ala Moana Center for nearby alternatives.
Who Should Book the Ilikai, and Who Should Not
- Great fit: families who cook, long stays of a week or more, travelers who want a lanai and a lagoon for small kids, fireworks fans and shoppers.
- Good fit with caveats: couples on a budget who want more space than a standard Waikiki room, as long as they accept dated common areas and possible construction before spring 2027.
- Poor fit: travelers who want a luxury resort feel, a big pool complex, self-parking or the center of Waikiki outside the door.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Ilikai vs Prince Waikiki
These two neighbors split the west end of Waikiki. Choose the Ilikai for kitchens, lanais and more space per dollar; choose Prince Waikiki for floor-to-ceiling ocean views, an adults-only infinity pool and better restaurants. For other condo-style options, see our guide to Waikiki hotels with a full kitchen.
| Ilikai | Prince Waikiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Waikiki West / Ala Wai Marina | Waikiki West / Ala Wai Yacht Harbor |
| Price level | Mid-range | Upscale |
| Best for | Spacious 500-sq-ft suites with full kitchens, huge 120-sq-ft lanais & Friday fireworks views | Guaranteed 100% oceanfront views in every room, stunning infinity pool over the marina, Prince Waikiki Club Lounge |
| Pool | 2 heated outdoor pools (lobby-level main pool + smaller 2nd-level pool) and sun deck | 5th-floor deck: adults-only (16+) infinity pool + saltwater pool & hot tub, cabanas & daybeds, Hinana Bar (pools 7 AM–10 PM) |
| Beach access | Beside the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon & Kahanamoku Beach (1–2 minute walk); Ala Moana Beach Park a short walk across the canal | No beach of its own: about 5 minutes on foot to Kahanamoku Beach & Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, about 10 minutes to Ala Moana Beach Park |
| Resort fee | $45 + 18.71% tax per night ($53.42/night total) | $45 + 18.71% tax per night ($53.42/night total) |
| Parking | Valet-only $45/night plus tax (no self-parking) | Self-parking $45/night; Valet $50/night (plus tax; 6 ft 1 in garage clearance) |
| Check-in / out | 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Rates | Check rates | Check rates |
Sources (2)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Ilikai suites have a full kitchen?
Yes. Every suite at the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites has a kitchen with a four-burner stove, a full-size refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster, plus dishes and cookware. Junior suites are studios, so the kitchen shares the room with the bed.
How much is the Ilikai resort fee in 2026?
The mandatory resort fee is $45 per night plus tax, or $53.42 with Oahu’s 18.712% tax. It covers pool loungers and umbrellas, beach towels, gym access, in-room coffee, water and ice cream vouchers, a laundry detergent starter pack and local calls.
Does the Ilikai have self-parking?
No. Parking is valet-only at $45 per night plus tax. If you only need a car for a day trip or two, rent it for those days and return it the same evening.
Is the Ilikai on the beach?
It sits beside the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and Kahanamoku Beach, so calm water is a minute or two away, but the tower itself is not on the open-ocean sand. Ala Moana Beach Park is a short walk across the canal bridge.
What time is check-in and check-out at the Ilikai?
Check-in is at 3 PM and check-out is at noon, an hour later than at most Waikiki hotels. Deposit rules vary by rate, so read the booking terms before you pay.
Is the Ilikai the hotel from Hawaii Five-O?
Yes. The original series opened with a zoom onto Jack Lord standing on an Ilikai penthouse lanai, used from 1968 to 1980, and the 2010 remake recreated the shot with Alex O’Loughlin. For a similar high view today, book a table at Empire Steak House at the top of the building.
