6 Best Historic Hotels In Honolulu, Hawaii

Sucheta
Sucheta 
Updated
| 3 min read

The largest city and the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is Hawaii’s main gateway to the world. Boasting a warm tropical climate year-round, this city is a popular tourist destination, especially for beach lovers and adventurers. Here, you can experience a piece of history at the historic Pearl Harbor, play in the sand on the Waikiki Beach, or hike to the summit of Diamond Head State Monument. You can also go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and enjoy spellbinding views of the shoreline from Koko Crater Railway Trail. And if that’s not enough, there are many museums and shopping, dining, and entertainment venues in the city. Staying in one of the historic hotels of this island state will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Find your stay in our list of the best historic hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 03, 2024.

1. The Equus (from USD 139)

Rooted in and inspired by the fascinating paniolo history of Hawaii, this is a family-owned and operated hotel. The owners had roots in the equestrian polo tradition, hence the name of the hotel. Even today, this hotel serves as the headquarters for the Hawaii Polo Club, hosting teams from across the world each year.

A non-smoking property suitable for families, the hotel sits only about a five-minute drive away from the world-famous Waikiki Beach. The property also has an outdoor fenced pool that can be accessed all year through. There is also a business center on site that’s accessible at no extra cost.

Stayed at this property?

The Equus

Wifi Available

Address: 1696 Ala Moana Boulevard
4.45 km (2.8 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Terrace Non-smoking rooms Fishing Business centre

Other historic accommodations in Honolulu

2. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (from USD 324)

With its magnificent Ali‘i Tower® inaugurated in the year 1957, this lovely property is an esteemed member of the Historic Hotels of America. Its high-rise Rainbow Tower sits right on Waikiki Beach and is one of the iconic landmarks of Honolulu.

The resort boasts lush tropical gardens, serene ponds, and beautiful waterfalls. The guest units are well-furnished and luxurious, and many of them even offer majestic ocean views. With a variety of fine-dining restaurants, lots of shops, a full-service spa, well-equipped fitness center, five outdoor pools, and a picturesque garden, this resort is indeed a complete package.

Stayed at this property?

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 2005 Kalia Road
4.04 km (2.6 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Sauna Fitness centre

3. Halekulani (from USD 670)

This is one of the most iconic historic resorts in Hawaii. The land on which this property is situated was actually the first site that the Polynesians occupied in Hawaii. The resort’s unique art and architecture, the special fishing shrine that it houses, and the weekly legacy tours that it organizes, make this place a really unique experience for vacationers.

The resort is located right on Waikiki Beach and so is ideal for seaside adventurers. All accommodations here have en-suite bathrooms, cozy seating areas, flatscreen TVs, and private balconies with views. The seven on-site restaurants serve sumptuous Hawaiian cuisine and others on the menu. The on-site spa also has a comprehensive menu of treatments involving traditional Polynesian rituals.

Stayed at this property?

Halekulani

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 2199 Kalia Road
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Golf course (within 3 km)

Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

4. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach (from USD 390)

This Beaux-Arts-style property is rightly known as the “First Lady of Waikiki”. First opened in 1901, this resort boasted some of the best and most modern offerings of the time including telephones, private baths, and even the first-ever electric-powered elevator in Hawaii. Today, its colonial grandeur, combined with its modern-day conveniences, will truly impress you.

The first thing that will catch your eye as you set foot on this property is its colonial façade. The guestrooms are adorned with contemporary furnishings and have private balconies from where you can catch views of the sea and city. Apart from that, the property features a full-service spa, outdoor pool, minimarket, and business center as well.

Stayed at this property?

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Wheelchair accessible

Address: 2365 Kalakaua Avenue
2.73 km (1.7 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Sauna Fitness centre Garden

5. The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki (from USD 398)

Initially opened in the year 1927 and a member of the Historic Hotels of America, this luxury hotel has been nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”, owing to its rosy hue. It hosted numerous statesmen and royalty in the 20th century who even called it their Pacific home.

The rooms at this place will give you a historic and elite feel. Some of them also have private balconies offering nice views of the surrounding garden or ocean. While it’s a beachfront property with free and direct beach access, it also has an outdoor pool, fitness center, hot tub, spa, restaurant & bar, and business center on premises.

Stayed at this property?

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 2259 Kalakaua Avenue
3.09 km (2.0 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Garden

Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

6. The Kahala Hotel and Resort (from USD 450)

Located right next to the famous Waiʻalae Country Club in East Honolulu, this resort first opened its doors to the public in 1964. The original design was conceived by Californian architects Edward Killingsworth, Jules Brady, and Waugh Smith. For more than five decades post its inauguration, it served esteemed guests including celebrities, heads of states, and members of royalty.

If you are someone with a keen interest in seaside adventures, you can take free lessons in surfing and paddle boarding on site. Plus, they also feature a yoga & fitness center, kids’ club, five on-site restaurants offering delicious local and international dishes, and a full-service spa. And if you are a shopaholic, they offer a free shuttle service to Ala Moana Center.

Stayed at this property?

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 5000 Kahala Ave
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from Diamond Head State Monument

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Tennis court

Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

Make memories worth cherishing in Honolulu

Honolulu is so vibrant and full of life that it will leave you completely charmed and delighted. So, don’t hold back; book a stay at one of these historic hotels in the city and spend a perfect vacation with your loved ones.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Sucheta embarked on her career as a creative writer and editor before transitioning to SEO writing. In previous corporate roles, she not only crafted creative and technical content, but also...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Honolulu
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.