Nearly 40% of Hawaii’s tourism activity flows through Waikiki, including hotel occupancy and visitor census. The area generated $8.7 billion of the state’s $23.9 billion in visitor spending in 2024, a testament to the neighborhood’s continued role as Hawaii’s primary tourism hub.
Waikiki’s classic resorts continue to anchor Hawaii tourism, drawing visitors to a walkable stretch of beachfront. Photo credit: Karee Blunt.
The numbers reflect how Waikiki continues to function as a self-contained destination. Hotels, restaurants and activities sit within a short stretch of beachfront, a convenience visitors often cite. The setup has long appealed to families and first-time visitors, particularly those with limited time on the islands.
Much of Waikiki’s share of tourists comes from the resorts that helped establish it as a global destination. Several of those legacy properties still define the neighborhood today, as they adapt to modern expectations while preserving a strong sense of place.
Historic resorts anchor Waikiki’s appeal
Many of those same properties continue to lead the district today and balance preservation with updates that reflect changing traveler expectations. Their continued presence helps anchor Waikiki’s identity even as the surrounding visitor landscape evolves.
The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, long known as the First Lady of Waikiki, remains the area’s oldest hotel and a familiar landmark along the beach. The oceanfront property recently completed updates to its historic Banyan Wing, blending preserved architectural details with refreshed guest rooms and common areas.
“As Waikiki’s oldest hotel, we know the strong sense of place and history are draws for many of our guests. For nearly 125 years, the hotel has served as an enduring example of Hawaiian hospitality, hosting guests from around the world as they experience the beauty and culture of O’ahu. With our recent renovation, our goal has been to preserve the historic legacy while blending modern touches like our new lobby check-in pods and redesigned seating banquettes in the Tower Wing rooms,” says Thomas Foti, biplex general manager of Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.
At the heart of the property, the banyan-shaded central lawn serves as a natural gathering place overlooking the shoreline. The space functions as both a visual landmark and a pause point between the beach and the historic hotel.
Just steps away, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, has defined Waikiki’s glamour since opening in 1927. Its pink facade, manicured grounds and beachfront location continue to make it one of the most photographed hotels in Hawaii. Over the decades, the guest list has ranged from Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and The Beatles, reinforcing the resort’s long-standing role as both a luxury retreat and a cultural landmark.
Further along the shoreline, Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort reflects Waikiki’s role as a high-capacity, full-service destination. One of the area’s largest beachfront hotels, the resort offers more than 1,600 guest rooms and suites, including family-friendly accommodations with layouts such as rooms featuring three queen beds. Paired with one of Waikiki’s most expansive pool complexes, the scale supports multigenerational travel and longer stays.
Activities blend culture, wellness and beach access
Beyond the beach, Waikiki’s resorts now offer more ways for guests to spend their time. Offerings range from cultural programs to wellness-focused classes designed to fit easily into a beach-based vacation.
Private surf lessons remain a defining Waikiki experience. Lessons operated by long-standing beach service providers introduce visitors to surfing on the area’s gentle breaks, continuing a tradition linked to the legacy of the Waikiki Beach Boys and Duke Kahanamoku.
Resorts also offer cultural activities beyond the beach, including lei-making and hair clip-making classes. The hands-on sessions introduce visitors to Hawaiian traditions through craft and storytelling.
“The lands our hotels sit on play a storied part of Hawaiian history, and participating in cultural activities is an important part of the experience. Learning floral lei-making or participating in a hula lesson is more than a class; it’s an expression of gratitude and appreciation that is core to culture — an opportunity to reflect on who we are today and where we’ve been,” says Kehaulani Kam, director of cultural services for The Royal Hawaiian and Marriott International’s Waikiki Collection.
The Royal Hawaiian’s Ahaaina Luau turns the royal grounds of Helumoa into a stage for history. Performers move through hula and chant, weaving stories of Hawaii’s past, while the Royal Hawaiian Guard demonstrates traditional military drills once used to train Hawaiian soldiers. Families gather at individual tables, close enough to see the precision of each movement and the vibrancy of every costume, making the evening as much a lesson in culture as it is a show.
Sheraton Waikiki’s floating yoga classes take place in the Edge Infinity Pool, giving participants a workout with sweeping ocean views. The classes reflect a growing interest in wellness activities that take place outdoors rather than in traditional gym settings.
At the Moana Surfrider, families can attend Butterfly Tea Time, held on the second Saturday of each month at The Veranda. The event pairs a traditional afternoon tea with a butterfly dome where children can interact with monarchs and release them outside, combining a hands-on lesson with the dining experience. The resort also marks Queen Lili’uokalani’s birthday each year with a special Royal Tea tied to the same tradition.
Dining within walking distance
Waikiki’s hotels offer a dense mix of on‑site dining, making it easy for visitors to move between the beach, pools and rooms without stepping far. That proximity keeps meals simple to plan and easy to fit into a day shaped around the famous shoreline.
At The Royal Hawaiian, Surf Lanai serves breakfast with ocean views, giving guests a relaxed start to the day just steps from the sand. The restaurant’s menu includes the resort’s famous Pink Palace Pancakes, a nod to the property’s nickname and a longtime favorite among visitors.
The Veranda at the Moana anchors the hotel’s dining offerings with breakfast service and its long-standing afternoon tea. Set beneath the shade of the iconic banyan tree, the venue has become a gathering spot for overnight guests and visitors from nearby hotels alike, offering a mix of meals, tea and light bites in a relaxed setting.
At Sheraton Waikiki, RumFire overlooks the resort’s Edge Infinity Pool and the Pacific Ocean beyond, drawing diners for sunset views and evening meals. The restaurant is one of the resort’s most popular dining spots for guests and outside visitors.
A compact district with broad appeal
As travel patterns continue to shift across Hawaii, Waikiki’s role remains defined by consistency rather than reinvention. Its concentration of historic hotels, beachfront access and on-site experiences continues to shape how visitors encounter Oahu, particularly those seeking familiarity paired with cultural context.
For destinations built on volume as much as atmosphere, Waikiki’s long-standing resorts illustrate how preservation and adaptation can coexist. Their continued presence underscores why the neighborhood remains central to Hawaii’s tourism economy.
Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist and creator of the travel blog Our Woven Journey. Karee enjoys sharing what she learns about places she visits, including history museums, unique things to do indoors and out, one-of-a-kind festivals and upscale dining and accommodations. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
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