StayAreasIs Ala Moana a good place to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, especially for better value and a local beach. Ala Moana Beach Park and the shopping centre are on the doorstep, with Waikiki a 15 minute walk.
Stay here if
- Budget travellers
- Shoppers
- Families
Look elsewhere if
- You want hotels right on the beach
- You want Waikiki's nightlife outside the door
- You want a historic setting
Hotels in Ala Moana
All Ala Moana hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Ala Moana
Ala Moana is a smart base in Honolulu for better-value rooms and a more local feel. Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Moana Center are on the doorstep, Waikiki is about a 15 minute walk east, and downtown and Chinatown are 10 minutes west by bus. The airport is about 20 minutes away.
The area mixes beach, shopping and new development. Ala Moana Beach Park has a long sheltered beach where local families swim and picnic, the shopping centre is the island's main hub, and neighbouring Kakaako has street art, breweries and some of Honolulu's best new restaurants. Magic Island is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset.
The downside is that few hotels are right on the sand. Most sit across busy roads from the beach, the streets around the shopping centre feel like a city rather than a resort, and nightlife is quieter than in Waikiki.
What makes Ala Moana special is that it shows the Honolulu locals know. You can swim at a calm beach without the Waikiki crowds, eat at Kakaako's food spots and still walk to Waikiki for the evening. For a longer stay or a tighter budget, it's a great choice.
Getting around
- Ala Moana Center7walk
- Ala Moana Beach Park17walk
- Aloha Tower21transit
- Waikiki Beach22transit
- King Kamehameha Statue23transit
- Chinatown23transit
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)20
Ala Moana questions
Is Ala Moana a good area to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, especially for better value and a local beach. Ala Moana Beach Park and the shopping centre are on the doorstep, with Waikiki a 15 minute walk. It suits budget travellers, shoppers and families.
How much does a hotel in Ala Moana cost?
A typical double is around $175 a night at a budget hotel, $230 mid-range and $440 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Ala Moana?
About 20 minutes door to door: taxi or rideshare in about 20 minutes, or TheBus 20.
How far is Ala Moana from the main sights?
Door to door from Ala Moana: Ala Moana Center 7 minutes on foot, Ala Moana Beach Park 17 minutes on foot, Aloha Tower 21 minutes and Waikiki Beach 22 minutes.