Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra
Overview
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra is a massive 1,100-room property spread across two towers, connected directly to Ala Moana Center—the world's largest open-air shopping mall with over 350 stores. This unique physical connection to Hawaii's premier shopping destination gives the hotel a practical advantage no other Honolulu property can match: step out of the elevator, walk through a covered passageway, and you're browsing Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's without ever going outside.
Located on Atkinson Drive between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, the hotel occupies a strategic position near the Hawaii Convention Center, Neal S. Blaisdell Center, and Ala Moana Beach Park—yet it's outside the Waikiki resort zone, which generally translates to lower nightly rates and lower resort fees than comparable properties a mile to the east. The trade-off is being a 5-minute drive (or 15-minute walk) from Waikiki Beach rather than steps away, but for travelers who prioritize value and shopping access, this positioning makes financial sense.
The recently renovated rooms, modernized pool deck, and dining anchored by The Signature restaurant on the 36th floor (with 360-degree panoramic views of Honolulu, the Pacific, and the Koolau Mountains) make this more than just a convention hotel. It's a practical, well-priced base for families and travelers who want to experience the breadth of Honolulu—not just the Waikiki strip.
Accommodation Options
Ala Moana Hotel's 1,100 rooms span two towers and range from standard hotel rooms to spacious one-bedroom suites with full kitchens. Every room includes complimentary WiFi, a microwave, refrigerator, flat-screen TV with cable, and mountain, city, or ocean views. The recent renovation modernized the rooms with contemporary finishes, and the variety of configurations makes the property suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups.
The one-bedroom suites with full kitchens are a standout option for families and longer stays, enabling guests to prepare meals and save significantly on Honolulu dining costs. Ocean-view rooms on upper floors deliver impressive panoramas of Ala Moana Beach Park and the Pacific, while mountain-view rooms frame the dramatic Koolau Range. The dual-tower layout means the hotel can accommodate large groups, conventions, and events without the property feeling overcrowded for leisure guests.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
The outdoor swimming pool occupies a modernized deck with sun loungers, providing a convenient retreat between shopping excursions and sightseeing. Open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the pool area benefits from the hotel's elevated position and catches reliable trade wind breezes. While it's not a resort-scale pool complex, the refreshed deck offers a pleasant environment for relaxation and cooling off.
For beach access, Ala Moana Beach Park is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Often called Honolulu's best-kept beach secret, Ala Moana Beach Park features a wide stretch of white sand with calm, protected waters—far less crowded than Waikiki Beach and favored by locals for swimming, paddleboarding, and picnicking. The fitness center includes a gymnasium, sauna, and steam room, adding a wellness dimension beyond the pool.
Dining
The Signature restaurant occupies the 36th floor and delivers one of Honolulu's most dramatic dining experiences—360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, and the Koolau Mountains from an elevation that makes the city sparkle below. The menu features elevated steak and seafood dishes, and the sunset experience from this vantage point rivals any rooftop restaurant in Hawaii. It's a destination dining experience that many visitors don't realize exists inside what they perceive as a convention hotel.
Café 410 serves as the all-day casual dining option, offering à la carte breakfast with American, Continental, Vegan, and Vegetarian options, as well as lunch and dinner service. A Starbucks location in the lobby provides familiar coffee service and serves beer and wine from 2:30 PM. The daily amenity fee includes 10% discounts on all hotel dining, which adds meaningful savings for guests eating on-site. For dining variety beyond the hotel, the Ala Moana Center food court and restaurants are literally connected to the building—dozens of options from fast-casual to fine dining without crossing a street.
Nearby Attractions
The direct connection to Ala Moana Center is the hotel's defining location advantage—350+ stores including luxury brands, department stores, local boutiques, and an extensive food court are accessible via a covered walkway. This makes rainy-day entertainment effortless and gives shoppers a base camp that eliminates the need for driving between hotel and mall.
Ala Moana Beach Park is a 10-minute walk south, offering calm waters, wide sand, and a local atmosphere that contrasts with tourist-heavy Waikiki Beach. The Hawaii Convention Center is 5 minutes away, and Waikiki's main strip is a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk east. The Neal S. Blaisdell Center (concerts and events) is adjacent, and Ward Village's growing retail and restaurant scene is within walking distance.
The hotel's Atkinson Drive location provides easier access to attractions west and north of Waikiki: Pearl Harbor (20-minute drive), downtown Honolulu and Chinatown (10-minute drive), and the airport (15-minute drive—closer than most Waikiki hotels). For day trips, the North Shore is 40 minutes and Kailua Beach is 25 minutes over the Pali Highway.
Tips & Good to Know
Book an ocean-view room in the taller tower on an upper floor for the best views—the Pacific and Ala Moana Beach Park panorama from the 20th floor and above is genuinely impressive. If you're planning a longer stay, the one-bedroom suites with full kitchens pay for themselves through meal preparation savings—stock up at the Ala Moana Center food hall without ever leaving the building.
Don't sleep on The Signature restaurant—many visitors dismiss it as a convention hotel restaurant, but the 36th-floor views are legitimately spectacular, especially at sunset. It's one of Honolulu's best-kept dining secrets. The daily amenity fee includes 10% off all hotel dining, complimentary water bottles, cultural activities, and a Premier Passport for Ala Moana Shopping Center discounts—use these perks to offset the fee.
The hotel's location outside the Waikiki resort zone means generally lower rates than comparable Waikiki properties, but factor in transportation costs if you plan to spend significant time on Waikiki Beach. For convention attendees, business travelers, and shoppers, the location is ideal. For beach-focused vacationers, the 10-minute walk to Ala Moana Beach Park delivers excellent beach access to a beach that's arguably better than Waikiki—calmer, less crowded, and more locally authentic. Parking is available on-site for an additional fee.
Location
410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814
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