Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Overview
'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is one of Waikiki's most visually striking hotels — designed by Rockwell Group with a showpiece 280,000-gallon, two-story saltwater Oceanarium in the lobby filled with colorful native Hawaiian reef fish. The name means "heavenly brightness" in Hawaiian, and the property delivers on the promise with a $115-million renovation that transformed the former Pacific Beach Hotel into a thoroughly modern resort. It sits directly across from Kuhio Beach at the eastern end of Waikiki, combining beachfront proximity with a more relaxed vibe than the central tourist strip.
The dining program punches well above its weight class. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto operates two restaurants here — Morimoto Asia Waikiki for fine dining and Momosan Waikiki for casual ramen and sake — giving this property one of the strongest culinary lineups in Waikiki. The Swell Pool & Bar on the upper deck provides a saltwater infinity pool experience with ocean and Diamond Head views, live music, and cabana service.
At 839 rooms across two towers, this is a big hotel — but the Rockwell Group design gives common areas a boutique feel despite the scale. The rooftop amenities include tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts alongside the pool — an unusual combination for Waikiki. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the 'Alohilani targets design-conscious travelers who want personality and culinary excellence alongside their Waikiki beach access.
Accommodation Options
The 839 guest rooms and suites span two towers rising 39 floors, with the majority offering views of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head, or both. Standard rooms feature furnished lanais, air conditioning, HD flat-screen TVs, laptop-compatible safes, and modern bathrooms with premium toiletries. The room design, courtesy of Rockwell Group, is sleek and contemporary — a welcome departure from the dated Hawaiian-print aesthetic that plagues many Waikiki properties.
Suite categories step up in size and view quality, with higher floors commanding increasingly dramatic panoramas. Diamond Head-facing rooms capture one of Honolulu's most iconic views, while ocean-facing rooms look out over Kuhio Beach and the Pacific. The hotel also offers connecting rooms for families and ADA-accessible rooms throughout both towers. All rooms include complimentary WiFi and USB charging.
Note that room sizes are typical for Waikiki urban hotels — not sprawling resort suites. If space is a priority, opt for the higher suite categories. The standard rooms are well-designed and comfortable but compact, in the 300-350 square foot range. The quality of finishes and the attention to design detail make them feel more spacious than the square footage suggests.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
Swell Pool & Bar occupies the upper recreation deck, featuring a heated saltwater infinity pool with panoramic views across Waikiki Beach and toward Diamond Head. A hot tub, a family-friendly kids pool, and private cabanas round out the pool deck. The infinity edge creates a dramatic visual effect — you feel like you're swimming above Waikiki. Pool hours run 8 AM to 10 PM, and Swell Bar provides food and cocktail service from 10 AM to 10 PM, with nightly live music adding atmosphere.
Kuhio Beach is directly across Kalakaua Avenue — a 2-minute walk to the sand. The beach here features a protected sea wall that creates a calm swimming area, making it one of the safest spots for ocean swimming in Waikiki. Surf lessons, outrigger canoe rides, and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from beachfront concessions. The resort fee includes daily beach equipment credits through Beach Candy Waikiki — guests receive 3 credits per night that can be applied toward surfboards, paddleboards, beach chairs, and umbrellas.
Spa & Wellness
The resort's wellness offering centers on the Fit Waikiki wellness center, which provides complimentary fitness classes, modern exercise equipment, and a range of spa treatments. The fitness center includes cardio equipment, free weights, and dedicated spaces for yoga and stretching. Group fitness classes — included in the resort fee — cover yoga, Pilates, and HIIT workouts.
Spa treatments are available by appointment and include massage, facials, and body treatments. The rooftop sports facilities (tennis courts, pickleball, basketball) provide an active alternative to traditional spa wellness. Hawaiian cultural classes, also included in the resort fee, add a mindful, culturally grounded dimension to the wellness experience.
Dining
Morimoto Asia Waikiki is the resort's fine-dining centerpiece — Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's pan-Asian concept blending Japanese technique with Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian flavors using island-fresh ingredients. The oceanfront setting elevates every dish. Signature plates include the duck bao buns, tuna pizza, and the omakase sushi experience. Dinner runs $60-120 per person; the cocktail bar is worth a visit even without a dining reservation.
Momosan Waikiki, Morimoto's casual counterpart, serves bold ramen bowls, creative appetizers, and an extensive sake list in a lively, energetic atmosphere. It's the more accessible (and affordable) of the two Morimoto concepts and perfect for a satisfying post-beach meal. Lychee on the second floor provides breakfast buffet and Hawaiian cuisine. O Bar, overlooking the spectacular three-story Oceanarium, serves as an open, relaxed gathering space for cocktails and light bites — watching the reef fish while sipping a mai tai is a uniquely 'Alohilani experience.
Nearby Attractions
Waikiki Beach is a 2-minute walk directly across Kalakaua Avenue. The Honolulu Zoo (5 minutes on foot) and Waikiki Aquarium (10 minutes) provide family-friendly attractions within walking distance. Kapiolani Park, Honolulu's largest green space, is a 5-minute walk and hosts weekend art festivals and farmers markets. Diamond Head trailhead is a 10-minute drive for the iconic summit hike.
Central Waikiki's shopping, dining, and nightlife stretch along Kalakaua Avenue to the west — the Royal Hawaiian Center, International Marketplace, and Luxury Row are all within a 15-minute walk. Ala Moana Shopping Center (10 minutes by bus or car) is Hawaii's largest mall. Pearl Harbor (30 minutes) is a must-visit historical site. Hanauma Bay snorkeling (20 minutes) and Kailua Beach (30 minutes over the Pali) offer excellent day-trip options.
For a break from Waikiki, the Chinatown arts district (15 minutes by car) offers galleries, craft bars, and some of Honolulu's most interesting restaurants. The North Shore's legendary surf beaches (50 minutes) and the Dole Pineapple Plantation (40 minutes) make for memorable full-day excursions.
Tips & Good to Know
Request a Diamond Head-facing room on floors 20+ for the most iconic view in Waikiki — the volcanic crater framed by palm trees and Pacific blue. Ocean-view rooms on the higher floors also deliver stunning panoramas. The $54/day resort fee is steep but includes WiFi, fitness classes, Hawaiian cultural activities, and daily beach equipment credits (surfboards, paddleboards, chairs) — use the beach credits aggressively to offset the fee.
Morimoto Asia is the must-try dining experience — make reservations at least a week in advance for dinner. For a more casual Morimoto experience, Momosan serves excellent ramen at roughly one-third the per-person cost. The Oceanarium in the lobby is worth lingering over — the fish feeding demonstrations are free and fascinating for adults and children alike.
The Monkeypod Kids Club (ages 5-12) offers Hawaiian cultural activities that free up parents for spa time or a Morimoto dinner. Tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts on the 9th-floor rooftop are unusual Waikiki amenities worth taking advantage of — equipment is available at Fit Waikiki. Best rates appear in September-November and January-March (excluding holiday weeks). The property is currently undergoing exterior repairs on the Seascape Tower through March 2026 — request a room away from scaffolding areas.
Location
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
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