When comparing Sheraton Waikiki to The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, it is immediately worth mentioning that both hotels are located on the beach and in the heart of Waikiki’s nightlife and action.
We have stayed in Waikiki on a number of occasions and have stayed in both of these hotels. We particularly love the Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki and the Four Seasons Oahu beyond Waikiki.
1. Location: Sheraton Vs. Royal Hawaiian
Sheraton Waikiki is brilliantly located between the Halekulani and the Royal Hawaiian on the beachfront in Waikiki.
The Sheraton and The Royal Hawaiian hotels are in the center of the action, and it’s easy to grab a coffee at one of the other hotels or an evening cocktail at Halekulani Hotel’s famous House Without A Key Bar from this central location. Dukes Canoe Club, the Cheesecake Factory, and almost every shop and fast food restaurant are nearby.
2. Beach & Pools
The Sheraton Waikiki has relatively slim sands in front of it. The Royal Hawaiian has a much wider golden sand beach in front of it, offering gorgeous beach loungers with umbrellas. However, the Sheraton enjoys a beautiful new beachfront semi-circular infinity pool, which partially makes up for the fact that there is very little to no sand actually in front of the hotel.
So, for the best beach, you must pick the Royal Hawaiian.
For the best pool but a very poor ribbon of beach, pick the Sheraton Waikiki. Here, the new Infinity pool is completely stunning and ideal for Instagram shots – check out where we’ve been lately on our own Luxury Travel Diary Instagram – but if you are traveling with your family, you might be disappointed with the lack of beach.
The Royal Hawaiian has a large freeform pool and a round pool, both surrounded by palm trees, so there is plenty of beach and pool space at the Royal Hawaiian.
The Sheraton is more suitable for adults, and the Royal Hawaiian is more suitable for families because of the larger beach and more traditional pools.
Four Seasons Oahu Vs. Ritz-Carlton Waikiki Vs. Halekulani Vs. Royal Hawaiian
Which is the best hotel on Oahu Beach? Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina Vs. Ritz Carlton Waikiki Vs. Halekulani Vs Royal Hawaiian. These four hotels are in quite different locations. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is not in Waikiki or Honolulu. Four Seasons is in Ko Olina, which is a good hours drive from Honolulu, depending on traffic. So if you want to explore Honolulu and Waikiki, then Four Seasons isn't a great choice. What Four Seasons does have is larger grounds, a better beach, a more stylish pool area, and a fantastic tropical resort feel.
If you want the best hotel on the island of Oahu, it has to be Four Seasons Oahu which is one of the best Four Seasons on Hawaii and is not to be missed. Four Seasons Oahu is not in or even near Waikiki but is on a glorious beach in a beautiful setting.
3. Accommodations
The Sheraton Waikiki is a colossal high-rise that was built in 1971. It’s probably the most prominent hotel on famous Waikiki Beach, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head crater.
It offers over 1,600 guest rooms and suites, providing a range of accommodations, including oceanfront rooms. Sheraton Waikiki features modern and comfortable guest rooms and suites, many with balconies offering some of the best ocean views in Waikiki. You are virtually hanging over the beach from the Sheraton ocean view rooms.
This hotel is enormous and massively high, so the superb views are because your room will be found in a tower block. The advantage of this block is that every ocean-facing room has a beautiful balcony.
Which Is The Best Marriott In Waikiki: Sheraton Waikiki Or Ritz-Carlton?
When comparing the best Marriott hotels in Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki Vs. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach, you should know that the Sheraton Waikiki is located on the beachfront, while the Ritz-Carlton isn't, it is hidden a few blocks back with two fantastic pools but it does not have direct beach access. We've stayed in Waikiki on a number of occasions and have stayed in both of these hotels. We also love the Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki and the Four Seasons Oahu beyond Waikiki. All of these three hotels are right on the beach.
The Royal Hawaiian, sometimes called the Pink Palace, was built in 1927 and is famous for its distinctive pink exterior and luxurious accommodations. It has since been extended to include more modern rooms with balconies.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel covers approximately 14 acres of prime beachfront real estate along Waikiki Beach. The hotel itself is grand in scale, featuring a main building with multiple wings and additional bungalows spread throughout the meticulously landscaped grounds.
With over 500 guest rooms and suites, as well as various restaurants, bars, pools, and recreational facilities, the Royal Hawaiian offers a spacious and opulent retreat for its guests. It is worth mentioning that the historic rooms in the main building do not usually have balconies. You need to book rooms in the newer wing for balconies, so watch out for this.
The Royal Hawaiian’s Spanish-Moorish architectural design, highlighted by its distinctive pink facade, reflects the elegance of the early 20th century. It is a landmark in terms of size and iconic appearance along the Waikiki coastline.
10 Best Marriotts In Hawaii
Which is the best Marriott hotel in Hawaii? We think the best Marriott hotels in Hawaii are the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki, and Wailea Beach Resort, but there are plenty more to choose from, depending on your budget. Read on to find out which hotel will work best for you. The Marriott brand includes Luxury Collection, EDITION, St Regis, W Hotels, and JW Marriott, as well as mid-range brands like Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Sheraton, Le Meridien, Design Hotels, and Westin.
4. Atmosphere
Both hotels are huge, but the foyer and grounds of the Royal Hawaiian feel historical and magical, and overall, the hotel feels more intimate and boutique. The foyer is so significant that tour groups often stop by to marvel at its beauty, and when you check in, you feel like you are in the original, unspoiled Hawaii.
The Sheraton entrance is reached via a Shopping Mall, similar to the Hyatt Regency around the corner, which we’ve also compared to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This gives the hotel’s communal areas a transient feel, as anyone who walks through the mall can use the restaurants and communal spaces (although you must stay if you want to use the pools).
Best Marriott In Waikiki: Royal Hawaiian Vs. Westin Moana Surfrider
In this review, we ask, which is the best Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Waikiki? Royal Hawaiian vs. Westin Moana Surfrider vs. Sheraton vs. Marriott. If you fly into Honolulu (HNL), you will probably head straight to the resort of Waikiki for your stay in Hawaii. If you collect Marriott or Sheraton Starwood (SPG), now Bonvoy points, then it's worth knowing where you can spend them and earn them and which hotels are in the Bonvoy portfolio on Oahu and, in fact, across the Hawaiian islands.
5. Best Way To Book
Book any of the best Marriott hotels in Hawaii with our luxury travel concierge to get free benefits including prioritized room upgrades, free breakfasts resort credit, and more. We also apply your Bonvoy loyalty number to your bookings so you can still collect your points and miles when you book with us (if you book via a third-party automated agency, you will not get your loyalty points or our benefits).
6. Club Lounge
The Sheraton Waikiki and Moana Surfrider both have some of the best club lounges in Waikiki, but the Royal Hawaiian does not have a club lounge.
The view from the club lounge at the Sheraton Waikiki is excellent, although it is a crowded room (often full of kids). The lounge offers a decent breakfast, light dinner with snacks, and free-flowing self-service wine and beer in the evening. However, it lacks much of a Hawaiian feel.
Best Hotel Club Or Executive Level Lounge In Waikiki
This article outlines the hotels in Waikiki, Oahu, that offer club or executive lounges to guests. When deciding which hotel to choose in Waikiki, it is sensible to consider the added extras a hotel club lounge provides. Offerings usually include complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day, breakfast in the morning, and evening cocktails with canapés. The evening food and drink offering is often more than enough to replace the need to go out for the evening. Club guestrooms are often a little bigger and offer more luxurious facilities than standard rooms, with more space.
7. Conclusion
Pick the Sheraton Waikiki for the views from its rooms and club lounge, location, and superb infinity pool. However, remember that its beach is lacking and just a ribbon of sand. The Sheraton Waikiki is also usually cheaper than the Royal Hawaiian.
Pick the Royal Hawaiian for its brilliant beach and “step back in time” setting, which will blow you away. It is also brilliantly located for its location, historical significance, grounds, and lovely beach.
That said, both hotels offer a great luxury base on Waikiki Beach.
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