StayAreasIs Downtown & Chinatown a good place to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, if you're here for business, history or food. Iolani Palace and Chinatown are on the doorstep, but there's no beach and it's quiet at night.
Stay here if
- Business travellers
- History lovers
- Foodies
Look elsewhere if
- You want a beach outside the door
- You're travelling with young children
- You're uneasy around homelessness on city streets
Hotels in Downtown & Chinatown
All Downtown & Chinatown 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 Downtown & Chinatown
Downtown and Chinatown are a good base in Honolulu for business, history and food. Iolani Palace, the State Capitol and the King Kamehameha Statue are a short walk from the hotels, Aloha Tower overlooks the harbour, and Chinatown's markets and bars are a few blocks away. The airport is only about 15 minutes' drive.
The area is the old heart of the city. Office towers on Bishop Street stand beside 19th-century buildings, Iolani Palace tells the story of Hawaii's last king and queen, and Chinatown mixes lei shops, fish markets and art galleries with some of Honolulu's most interesting bars and restaurants, especially on First Fridays.
The downside is that there's no beach and little life after office hours outside Chinatown. Homelessness is visible on some streets, and parts of Chinatown feel rough late at night. There are only a few hotels, mostly aimed at business travellers.
What makes downtown special is its history and food. You can tour a royal palace in the morning, eat dim sum in Chinatown for lunch and finish with cocktails in a gallery-lined street. For a business trip or a culture-focused visit, it's a rewarding base.
Getting around
- Chinatown4walk
- Iolani Palace9walk
- King Kamehameha Statue10walk
- Aloha Tower11walk
- Ala Moana Center20transit
- Bishop Museum22transit
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)15
Downtown & Chinatown questions
Is Downtown & Chinatown a good area to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, if you're here for business, history or food. Iolani Palace and Chinatown are on the doorstep, but there's no beach and it's quiet at night. It suits business travellers, history lovers and foodies.
How much does a hotel in Downtown & Chinatown cost?
A typical double is around $255 a night at a budget hotel, $275 mid-range and $280 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Downtown & Chinatown?
About 15 minutes door to door: taxi or rideshare in about 15 minutes, or TheBus 20.
How far is Downtown & Chinatown from the main sights?
Door to door from Downtown & Chinatown: Chinatown 4 minutes on foot, Iolani Palace 9 minutes on foot, King Kamehameha Statue 10 minutes on foot and Aloha Tower 11 minutes on foot.