Ala Moana Hotel

The hotel’s central location, access to numerous restaurants, and shopping mall connection make for a lively atmosphere. Guests enter through sliding glass doors into a bright, vast carpeted lobby with large potted plants and lots of seating. Escalators lead to the second floor, where the check-in desk and a Starbucks cafe are situated. During hurricane season, the TV displays weather reports to keep guests informed. The hotel consists of 13- and 36-story buildings, of which the latter has a top-floor eatery that's popular for its lovely views. Despite the hundreds of rooms, the property never seems to feel overcrowded, except occasionally at the relatively small pool. A popular nightclub closed here in 2018. The array of meeting rooms and proximity to the Hawaii Convention Center draw business travelers to this hotel.

The Ala Moana Hotel is located about 15 to 20 minutes’ walk from the heart of Waikiki. It is connected to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. The hotel is also surrounded by lots of restaurants and shops. The Hawaii Convention Center is located just down the street, which makes this a convenient property for many business travelers. Ala Moana Beach Park, which has a swimmable beach, tennis courts, jogging paths, and picnic areas, is a 10-minute walk away. The Ala Moana Hotel tour desk that can help travelers book various day trips and excursions. For example, island tours of Honolulu are available, with stops at Pearl Harbor (22-minute drive), Nu’uanu Pali Lookout (19-minute drive), and Waimea Falls (65-minute drive). Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is a 20-minute car ride from the hotel. 

The 1,100 rooms and suites at the Ala Moana Hotel are a bit more colorful than the hotel itself. Bright and contemporary, rooms are decorated with blue, wave-patterned carpeting, simple honey-toned furniture, and walls, drapes, and bedding in shades of blue. Some rooms have small balconies furnished with plastic patio furniture. Views range from city and mountain to partial or full ocean. For the best views, guests recommend booking a room in the 36-story Waikiki Tower, rather than the smaller Kona Tower. Pleasant bathrooms have faux marble countertops, shower/tub combos, and free toiletries, but fixtures are somewhat dated. All rooms have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, plus desks, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites are available and have sitting areas and full kitchens. 

The Ala Moana’s most compelling feature is its top-floor restaurant, The Signature Prime Steak & Seafood, which offers incredible Honolulu skyline views from the 36th floor of the Waikiki Tower. There’s also a pleasant outdoor pool set in a cement sundeck, though the pool is on the small side given the size of the hotel. Basic chairs and tables are set up, and there’s a covered area for sun-shy guests. There’s 15,000 square feet of meeting space, with a configuration of up to nine large meeting rooms. A 24-hour business center and the Hibiscus Ballroom, which seats 500 for banquets and fits up to 1,000, are additional draws for corporate crowds. The modern, well-equipped fitness center has cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights. A modern sauna and steam room are available. Guests can purchase buffet breakfast at Plantation Cafe, or grab coffee and pastries at the Starbucks in the lobby. At night, the Starbucks serves alcoholic beverages as well. A store on the ground floor of the hotel sells a wide selection of drinks, as well as some snacks, toiletries, and souvenirs. Parking is available for a fee.