100 Holomoana St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, United States
resort comparison guide

Prince Waikiki vs The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

Choosing between Prince Waikiki and The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, pools, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit.

Prince Waikiki resort
Prince Waikiki
All-Ages • Ocean-View Rooms • Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

Best for travelers who want a modern all-ages Waikiki stay with every Room facing the ocean and a quieter marina-edge setting near Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki resort
The Royal Hawaiian
Historic Luxury • Waikiki Beach • Iconic Resort

Better for travelers who want a historic luxury resort directly on Waikiki Beach with classic “Pink Palace” character and a more iconic beachfront address.

Quick Verdict: Prince Waikiki vs The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki

If you want contemporary rooms, ocean views from every accommodation, and a slightly removed Waikiki base near the harbor, Prince Waikiki is the easier fit.

If your priority is heritage, beachfront atmosphere, and the feeling of staying at one of Waikiki’s most recognizable luxury resorts, The Royal Hawaiian has the stronger sense of place.

Bottom line: choose Prince Waikiki for modern ocean-view comfort and a marina-side Waikiki location; choose The Royal Hawaiian for historic beachfront luxury in the heart of Waikiki.

Prince Waikiki vs The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki – At a Glance

Category Prince Waikiki The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Overall Vibe Modern oceanfront high-rise with twin towers, polished rooms, harbor views, and an all-ages resort atmosphere. Historic luxury beachfront resort with classic Waikiki glamour, distinctive pink architecture, and a more iconic resort feel.
Location On Ala Wai Yacht Harbor at the entrance to Waikiki, near Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Moana Shopping Center, but not directly on the main stretch of Waikiki Beach. Directly on Waikiki Beach, better for travelers who want sand, surf, shopping, and dining immediately around the resort.
Rooms & Suites Every Room offers ocean views through large floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the hotel a consistent modern-room advantage. Rooms lean into historic luxury and resort character, best for travelers who value atmosphere and beachfront setting over a uniform ocean-view promise.
Dining On-site options include 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo, Hinana Bar by the pool, and a lobby coffee shop. Best framed as a classic Waikiki luxury dining-and-drinks setting, especially for guests who want meals and cocktails tied to a landmark beachfront resort.
Pools & Beach Two pools and a hot tub on the Level 5 pool deck, including an adults-only infinity pool section, but no direct beach access. Stronger for beach-first travelers thanks to its direct Waikiki Beach setting and classic resort shoreline atmosphere.
Kids & Family All-ages resort with family-friendly policies, a saltwater pool open to all guests, and practical perks like children 5 and under eating free at 100 Sails with a paying adult. Works for families who want the convenience of a beachfront Waikiki luxury resort, while also appealing strongly to couples drawn to its historic setting.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who prioritize guaranteed ocean views, modern rooms, and a quieter harbor-side base over direct beach frontage. Best value for travelers who will fully use the beachfront location and want the prestige and atmosphere of a historic Waikiki icon.

Rooms & Suites: Modern Ocean Views vs Historic Beachfront Character

Prince Waikiki – Room Style

Rooms at Prince Waikiki are the clearest reason to book it: the hotel is billed as Waikiki’s only all-ocean-view hotel, with large floor-to-ceiling windows in every Room.

  • Ocean views from every Room
  • Modern high-rise feel overlooking the harbor and Pacific
  • Club Rooms on the highest floors with Club Lounge access

Prince Waikiki is the better pick if you want a more predictable room-view experience and a contemporary setting rather than a historic resort atmosphere.

The Royal Hawaiian – Room Style

The Royal Hawaiian is more about heritage and beachfront mood, with the appeal of staying inside one of Waikiki’s most recognizable luxury resorts.

  • Historic resort character and classic Waikiki style
  • Direct beachfront setting as part of the room-and-resort experience
  • Best for travelers who want atmosphere as much as Room features

If you want a landmark luxury stay with stronger historic identity, The Royal Hawaiian is the more memorable room-and-resort choice.

Dining & Drinks: Harbor-View Variety vs Landmark Beachfront Atmosphere

Prince Waikiki – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Prince Waikiki is practical and varied for a city-resort stay, with options that cover a signature restaurant, sushi, poolside drinks, and coffee.

Expect:

  • 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar for island-inspired Modern American dining with ocean and marina views
  • Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo on the lobby level
  • Hinana Bar for poolside drinks and casual fare

The Royal Hawaiian – Restaurants & Bars

The Royal Hawaiian’s dining appeal is tied to its historic beachfront setting, making it especially attractive for travelers who want their meals and drinks to feel distinctly Waikiki.

  • A more iconic beachfront resort backdrop
  • Better for special-occasion drinks or meals with a classic Waikiki mood
  • Ideal if atmosphere and setting matter as much as variety

If you want a broader everyday hotel dining setup, Prince Waikiki is convenient; if you want the more memorable beachfront setting, The Royal Hawaiian has the edge.

Pools & Beach: Marina Pool Deck vs Direct Waikiki Beach

Prince Waikiki – Pool & Beach Scene

Prince Waikiki’s pool scene centers on its Level 5 deck, with an oceanfront infinity pool, a saltwater pool, and a hot tub overlooking the harbor area.

  • Two swimming pools plus a hot tub
  • Adults-only infinity pool section, with the saltwater pool open to all guests
  • No direct beach access, so it suits pool-first travelers better than beach-first travelers

The Royal Hawaiian – Pool & Beach Scene

The Royal Hawaiian is the stronger choice for travelers who want the classic Waikiki Beach experience right outside the resort.

  • Direct beachfront location on Waikiki Beach
  • Better for guests who want sand and surf to define the stay
  • Stronger for first-time Waikiki visitors who picture a beach-resort vacation

If you want pool-deck views and a quieter marina edge, Prince Waikiki works well; if direct beach access is non-negotiable, The Royal Hawaiian wins.

Kids & Family: All-Ages Practicality vs Beachfront Convenience

Prince Waikiki – Family Fit

Prince Waikiki is an all-ages resort with practical family appeal, especially for guests who want modern rooms, ocean views, and a pool setup that includes an all-guest saltwater pool.

  • Children of all ages are welcome
  • Standard rooms allow up to four guests, subject to the hotel’s occupancy rules
  • Children 5 and under eat free at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar when accompanied by a paying adult

The Royal Hawaiian – Family Fit

The Royal Hawaiian can work well for families who want a luxury Waikiki address with the beach immediately at hand, while still feeling polished enough for couples and special occasions.

  • Best for families who value direct beach access
  • Strong for multigenerational trips centered on classic Waikiki
  • Also appealing for couples who want a historic beachfront resort

If your family wants modern ocean-view rooms and a slightly calmer edge-of-Waikiki base, choose Prince Waikiki; if beach access is the main priority, choose The Royal Hawaiian.

Price & Value: Which Waikiki Luxury Hotel Feels More Worth It?

Prince Waikiki – Value Snapshot

Prince Waikiki offers the most value when guaranteed ocean views, modern rooms, and a quieter harbor-side location matter more than being directly on Waikiki Beach.

  • Best for travelers who want ocean views from every Room
  • Great if you prefer a contemporary high-rise resort feel
  • Strong value for guests who will use the pool deck, fitness center, and convenient Ala Moana-area location

The Royal Hawaiian – Value Snapshot

The Royal Hawaiian is the better value if you are paying for history, beachfront access, and the feeling of staying at a true Waikiki landmark.

  • Best for travelers who want direct Waikiki Beach access
  • Stronger for romantic trips, celebrations, and first-time Waikiki stays
  • Worth it if the historic setting is central to the vacation

Who Wins? Best Waikiki Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Modern Ocean-View Comfort
Prince Waikiki resort

Prince Waikiki

Choose Prince Waikiki if you want modern rooms, ocean views from every accommodation, and a polished all-ages resort near the harbor rather than directly on the busiest beach stretch.

Best for Historic Waikiki Luxury
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki resort

The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian is the better pick if you want historic luxury, direct Waikiki Beach access, and the atmosphere of one of the area’s most recognizable resorts.

Best for Harbor Views & Pool Deck Relaxation
Prince Waikiki resort

Prince Waikiki

For travelers who like a quieter edge-of-Waikiki base, easy access to Ala Moana, and a strong pool-deck setup, Prince Waikiki makes more sense.

Best for Direct Beach Access & Classic Resort Atmosphere
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki resort

The Royal Hawaiian

If you want the beach to be the center of the stay and prefer classic resort glamour over modern marina views, The Royal Hawaiian is the stronger choice.

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Prince Waikiki

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