The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Review: The Pink Palace of the Pacific!

Author

Jamila Bell
October 06, 2025

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The Royal Hawaiian hotel in Hawaii. It’s been that one big, pink and poppin location permanently stuck at the top of our bucket list. For years, we’ve dreamt of that first moment stepping off the plane, smelling the salt and the plumeria. Well, I finally made it, and beyond excited to show you exactly how it went down, especially since I chose to stay at the Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific. Fun fact: Hawaii is where former president Barack Obama was born.

This was my first time ever visiting Hawaii, and choosing a hotel with such cool history—it even sits on Royal grounds—made the whole trip feel that much more special. (P.S. We just posted a full resort tour video, so you can see the link below!)

The Front of the Hotel: A Pink Palace Welcome

Walking up to the Royal Hawaiian is like stepping into a time machine—but a really beautiful, blush-colored one. The hotel's unique Spanish-Moorish look is instantly striking in that famous pink hue. It earned the nickname "Pink Palace of the Pacific" right after it opened way back in 1927. Fun fact: This place wasn't just built on regular land; it was built on grounds that were once a private escape for Hawaiian royalty, which is why it has such a fancy, old-school feel. It’s truly a huge entrance that makes you stop and stare. There’s also rocking chairs which are very comfortable.

The Hotel Lobby: Stepping into Pink Style

The lobby keeps that feeling of walking into history going. It’s super classy but friendly, full of beautiful dark wood, detailed columns, and classic Hawaiian decorations. Honestly, this resort never failed to amaze me because everywhere you look, there’s some beautiful wall decor. There is always something beautiful to look at, and the lobby really sets the stage. It’s grand without being stuffy, making you feel instantly welcome.

The Room: Cozy and Stylish Sanctuary

The room was an awesome place to relax! The first thing I noticed and loved was the beautiful wall designs. They gave the room such a nice, tropical Hawaiian feel. The hotel also makes sure you have everything you need. I was happy to find a free stainless steel water bottle to take home—it’s pink and super cute! They also give complementary boxed water, which was seriously the freshest water I've ever tasted. It’s little touches like this that make you feel truly taken care of. Plus, the room came with a coffee maker, tea maker, and a fridge. It’s also good to know that the beds are super comfortable. What I loved the most is the bathroom has make up remover wipes, ladies, this comes in handy if you’re ever wearing makeup during your trip. If you want to know more about the beautiful scents of all the toiletries and body washes at this resort, be sure to watch our YouTube tour on this hotel below.

The Pools: Perfect Temperature Paradise

The Royal Hawaiian has two great pool options to pick from. The Malulani Pool is the calmer one, sitting right near the beach with amazing ocean views and comfy seating. The second option is the Helumoa Playground, which is shared with the next-door Sheraton Waikiki. This is where the fun is, complete with a massive water slide and two regular pools—great if you and your kiddos want more action.

I spent most of my time at the Malulani Pool, and let me tell you about the temperature. You know how some pools can be freezing when you first get in, and you have to psych yourself up? No, this pool had the perfect temperature, and it was so nice. It was instantly relaxing and warm enough to just slide right in. It was amazing for chilling out. Be sure to wake up early to get good seats by the pool if that’s a priority for you during your stay!

The Beach: Right on Waikiki

Stepping off the resort and onto Waikiki Beach feels unbelievable. The Royal Hawaiian is right on one of the most famous beaches in the world. You can rent chairs and umbrellas in that signature pink color and just soak up the sun and the views of Diamond Head. It was great to have immediate access to the gentle waves and the soft sand. It made going from a morning swim to an afternoon walk super easy.

The Bakery: Free Banana Bread and Sweet Treats

The Royal Hawaiian Bakery is a must-visit for a quick treat or a coffee. The best part? Upon check-in, they give you a free bakery card to get free banana bread or muffins! I used mines, and it was delicious. They are also famous for adding their signature pink touch to a lot of their pastries, making everything look as good as it tastes. It's a great spot to grab something sweet and get ready for a busy day of checking things out or relaxing by the water.

Mai Tai Bar: The Best Lobster Roll Ever

The Mai Tai Bar is the place to be for sunset drinks and afternoon snacks. The views are incredible, and their menu is great. I have to tell you about one specific thing: their lobster roll. It had the best lobster I’ve ever tasted, seriously. It was so fresh, and the lobster tasted naturally sweet. It was my favorite thing on the menu—you have to try it!

And, of course, you can't go to the Mai Tai Bar without trying their famous Pink Palace drink. This cocktail was my favorite, with a perfect fruity sweetness and a beautiful pink umbrella stuck in it, making you feel totally Hawaiian. I also got their signature pink snowball, which was very delicious. It comes with coconut flakes on top.

Surf Lanai for Breakfast: The World’s Best Pink Pancakes

If you are looking for a Hawaiian style breakfast, go straight to Surf Lanai. I ordered their famous breakfast and it was amazing, the fluffiest and sweet pink pancakes served with local Portuguese sausage and scrambled eggs. ( with melted cheddar cheese. ) It was an extra request. I personally love my scrambled eggs this way. Highly recommend you try it this way as well if you love scrambled eggs. This tasted like a real Hawaiian breakfast like no other. The pancakes were not only pink, but they were also pleasing to look at with the coconut flakes and whipped cream on top. To me—these are the best pink pancakes in the world. It won’t be hard to believe once you get to try it. Don't miss this, it’s worth the hype.

The On-Resort Shops: A Touch of Pink Luxury

The shops at the Royal Hawaiian are nice and high-end. They sell everything from resort clothes and jewelry to unique gifts that really capture the feel of the Pink Palace. It’s a great place to find that perfect piece of clothing or a souvenir that reminds you of the gorgeous pink look of the hotel, making them a little nicer than a regular gift shop.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel Resort Tour

The Dinner Show: A Night of Fire and Facts

I decided to go to the dinner show right at the resort, and it was a cool way to spend an evening. We even put together a YouTube video touring this resort! The show was so interesting, and I got to learn many cool facts about Hawaiian culture while watching them perform and play with fire! The fire dancer part was definitely the best—it’s super exciting and keeps you glued to your seat. This is highly recommended if you’re looking for something fun and different to do on the resort in Hawaii. The prices are about $235 per person, which covers the food and the show. It was a perfect, fun way to end our stay.

My first trip to Hawaii, staying at the Pink Palace of the Pacific, was everything I ever dreamed of and more.

Click here to book The Royal Hawaiian Hotel

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Let us know by replying to this newsletter if you plan visiting this pink paradise. Or maybe somewhere else in Hawaii is on your mind?

Until next time, Happy Luxury Travels ✨✈️

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