StayAreasIs Waikiki a good place to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, especially for a first trip or a family holiday. The beach and Diamond Head are on the doorstep, but it's crowded and resort fees add up.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors
- Families
- Couples and honeymooners
Look elsewhere if
- You want a quiet, local Hawaii
- You hate crowds
- You're on a tight budget
Hotels in Waikiki
All Waikiki 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 Waikiki
Waikiki is the place to stay in Honolulu for a first trip to Hawaii. The beach is across the road from most hotels, Diamond Head is a short ride away, and Kapiolani Park, the zoo and the aquarium are at the eastern end. Ala Moana Center is a 10 minute bus ride, and the airport is about 25 minutes away.
The area is built for holidays. Kalakaua Avenue is lined with beachfront hotels, from the 1901 Moana Surfrider to the pink Royal Hawaiian, and the gentle waves offshore are perfect for surf lessons and outrigger canoe rides. In the evening, beach bars play live Hawaiian music, and there are fireworks off the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Friday nights.
The downside is the crowds and the cost. Waikiki is busy all year, the beach gets packed in the middle of the day, and most hotels add a daily resort fee and expensive parking on top of the room rate. It can feel more like a big resort than a real Hawaiian neighbourhood.
What makes Waikiki special is the beach itself. You can take a surf lesson in the morning, hike Diamond Head before lunch and watch the sunset with a mai tai, all without a car. For first-timers and families, nowhere in Hawaii is easier.
Getting around
- Waikiki Beach7walk
- Kapiolani Park13transit
- Ala Moana Center17transit
- Ala Moana Beach Park26transit
- Chinatown26transit
- Iolani Palace27transit
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)25
Waikiki questions
Is Waikiki a good area to stay in Honolulu?
Yes, especially for a first trip or a family holiday. The beach and Diamond Head are on the doorstep, but it's crowded and resort fees add up. It suits first-time visitors, families and couples and honeymooners.
How much does a hotel in Waikiki cost?
A typical double is around $235 a night at a budget hotel, $375 mid-range and $575 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Waikiki?
About 25 minutes door to door: taxi or rideshare in about 25 minutes, or TheBus 20 in about an hour.
How far is Waikiki from the main sights?
Door to door from Waikiki: Waikiki Beach 7 minutes on foot, Kapiolani Park 13 minutes, Ala Moana Center 17 minutes and Ala Moana Beach Park 26 minutes.