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The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Honolulu (O‘ahu) • Kahala • SPLURGE

avg. $601 / night

Includes $32 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

LHW Leaders Club property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Leading Hotels of the World

Location

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PB hotel design editorial

Sequestered behind Diamond Head on Oʻahu's quieter southeastern shore, well clear of Waikīkī's density, the property that opened in 1964 as the Kahala Hilton was conceived as a retreat for the kind of guest who had already tired of the main strip — heads of state, Hollywood royalty, and the occasional Beatle among them. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, as it has been known since 1996, was designed by Killingsworth, Brady and Associates in a low-rise idiom that deferred to its lagoon setting rather than dominating it, the original mid-century tower rising in clean horizontal bands behind a screen of coconut palms that still frames the view from the beach today. The white pergola structure crowning the tower, visible in the exterior images, gives the building a light, open-framed silhouette against the trade-wind sky. Interiors carry a warm plantation register — tray ceilings with rattan-bladed fans, dark-lacquered four-poster beds, striped settees in honey and cream, and gold-toned case pieces with mirrored drawer fronts that catch the afternoon Pacific light filtering through floor-to-ceiling sliders onto private lanais. The palette runs to soft butter yellow and warm sand, grounded by patterned broadloom and dark mahogany furniture throughout the 338 guest rooms. On the garden terrace, teak-slat chairs under oversized cantilever umbrellas face out toward the beach through a stand of plumeria, the oval pool deck sitting between lush grounds and open ocean in a layout that has changed very little since the Eisenhower era.

Travel notes

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About

The Kahala Hotel & Resort is Hawaii's reigning luxury resort, set on a secluded beach just ten minutes from the world class shopping and entertainment of Waikiki. This legendary hideaway resort in Honolulu's plush Kahala district is a favorite with presidents, international royalty and celebrities. From the moment you arrive, you will know that you are truly somewhere special.

Amenities

Beachfront

Pool

Business center

Free Internet

Spa

Free Wifi

Suites

Wheelchair Access

Internet

Kids Activities

The Kahala Hotel & Resort Reviews

4,927 reviews

"Leslie was great, it was special day for me and it made is very especially by giving a great massage and facial. She knew all the sore areas and worked on them. I felt totally relaxed after the massage. She was great!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 22, 2026

"The Kahala is about 20 minutes from Waikiki but it feels words away. It is situated on a cove that is mostly quiet . Service and traditional elegance are A Plus. We were greeted with cold towels and leis upon check in. Staff upgraded us to a very large lagoon view room that overlooked Dolphin Cove. It was a pleasure to watch them daily. (They are a part of the Dolphin Quest Program). Rooms have Nespresso coffee makers and all kinds of amenities. We went to three restaurants on property all were great. Valet and self parking are the same rate. This hotel is a bit off the beaten path. An historic golf course is next door along with many high end homes. Because of the golf course green parrots abound. If you don’t need to be in the hustle bustle this gem of a hotel is for you."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 22, 2026

"We had a wonderful stay at The Kahala and would definitely return. The customer service was truly top-notch from start to finish. The staff was attentive without being overwhelming, and we never had to search for help—whether at the beach or in the restaurants, someone was always available. The small touches really stood out, from nightly turndown service to having extra water, umbrellas, and beach towels readily available. The room was very comfortable. The beds were great, water pressure was excellent, and everything was extremely clean. I also appreciated having a tea kettle in the room, which was a nice personal touch. Breakfast was excellent, and every restaurant we tried delivered a great experience. Even with several rainy days during our stay, we still had a relaxing and enjoyable time. One of the biggest advantages of this property is its location. If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed experience in Honolulu, this is a great choice. It’s a nice contrast to Waikiki, which can feel crowded and busy. The Kahala offers a much more peaceful atmosphere. There were a few minor drawbacks. The exterior of the hotel could use some updating—the arrival experience doesn’t quite give a “wow” first impression. However, the lobby is beautiful once inside. The rooms are semi-updated and lean more traditional than modern in style. I also would have preferred a larger TV, and the coffee setup in the bathroom felt a bit awkward. Additionally, we did notice cats roaming around the restaurant and beach areas, which wasn’t ideal for us. We had one minor service issue with a bellhop who wasn’t very friendly, but aside from that, the staff was exceptional. Overall, this is a beautiful, well-run resort with excellent service and a relaxing atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend it and look forward to returning—next time, I would likely book an ocean view room instead of the mountain/golf view."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 16, 2026

"Amazing stay. Exceptional service, beautiful beach, and great access to anywhere on the island. Highly recommend for families with young and older kids (9, 12, 14 with us). Restaurants are good and decent price point relative to elsewhere on the island. Staff and housekeepers pamper you. Spotless rooms and grounds. All amenities were great. Rental car onsite was super convenient and a lot cheaper than airport. Beach snack shack great for drinks and lunch. Felt like a vacation and easy to unplug. Easy drive to Kailua Beach, Sandy, or Ala Moana as well as restaurants and hikes. Blessed to have spent time here."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 11, 2026

"We had an extraordinary stay at the Kahala back in 2018 and did not consider any other hotel for our recent trip to Oahu. We had a similar, if not better, experience during our March 2026 visit. From the grand entrance with the exquisite chandeliers, luxurious accommodations, friendly and helpful staff, and secluded but convenient location, the Kahala is the definition of paradise on earth. Once again, we had an ocean front room with lanai, which overlooked Dolphin Quest. Between the soothing sounds of the ocean and watching the dolphins before and after Dolphin Quest, we could not help but be completely and truly relaxed. We also had another good experience with the photo session with Pacific Dream Photography. It is pricey, but worth every penny to have beautiful, professionally taken memories. The only “disappointment” of the trip, and I use that word very lightly, is the Kahala’s addicting version of Malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts covered in Li Hing) were only served at the weekend breakfast buffet and had run out of them before we arrived. To compensate, they took a percentage off the bill. I cannot say enough good things about the Resort. While pricey, it is worth every penny. I would highly recommend the Kahala to anyone planning a trip to Oahu."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 09, 2026

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The Kahala Hotel & Resort | Best Design-Driven Stays in Honolulu (O‘ahu)