The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is a great accommodation option for people who want the thrills of Waikiki Beach, without the hustle and bustle.
You’ll find it at the very western edge of the famed Honolulu beach, sitting just behind the boat harbour. It offers direct access down to the lagoon, rock wall and waves of Kahanamoku Beach.
It’s here that the sand is at its widest point along the Waikiki stretch and, in my opinion, the best of what the ocean has to offer. Swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing, wildlife – including turtles and seals – and boating.
All this while still being a relatively short walk – along the sand past bars, sport courts, barbeques, equipment hire and restaurants – to the main Waikiki hub. For tourists who love the idea of being central, but prefer space and relative quiet, it therefore offers the best of both worlds.
Unique design
If you were sprout feathers and wings to soar above the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites, its shape would surprise. Like a three-tipped star, from a central foyer a trio of 26-story wings branch out in opposite directions. Almost like a tripod, with its longest length pointing directly towards the sea.
The bottom floor is also quite curious, almost like a mall. From its street-side entrance through to the ramp on its backside taking you down to the stunning turquoise water, it’s wide open. This area is home to more than just the usual reception, concierge, tour bookings and car hire mob. There’s also a convenience store, café, ice-cream parlour, hair salon, book exchange, spa, fitness centre, restaurants and shops.
It’s all right there, below you, and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Convenient no doubt, but it doesn’t invoke a feeling of being in a private resort community enjoying a lived experience with other guests. It’s not intimate.
I was unsold on it at first, but on reflection, it didn’t have a negative effect on my experience. And being able to easily grab some beers and snacks on the way down to the beach was quite handy.
Guests do get access to a lovely pool deck on level 2. It has sunlounges, sunken lounges, barbeques and a lovely view down to the beach over a luxurious, if shallow, pool. On the ground floor, the Diamond Head Pool, a second more family-friendly option, can also be found. Closer to the beach and very deep, this is the rowdier choice for those up for a bit more action.
Just note that the position of the pools, and foyer garden, next to the tall towers does restrict direct sunlight during the first half of the day.
Lovely ocean views
I stayed in a Luxury Junior Suite with Ocean Views room, which accounts for the bulk of accommodation options at the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites. Up on floor 24, I had great – if side-on – views out to the ocean from the large balcony. I enjoyed being able to look out at people surfing during the day, and all the lights at night.
From what I could see, I suspect most rooms north of floor three, that are ocean side, will have good to great water views.
The room itself is massive and modern. There’s ample room for a full kitchen, lounge, entertainment unit and king bed without feeling cramped. A coffee table and two island bench stools act as a make-do for the lack of a dining table, while the bathroom sports a big shower matched in size by the vanity and mirror.
I love the huge glass doors, which open-wide to the balcony and enable the ocean breeze to flood in. While the kitchen gives guests the freedom to stay for a while and not be beholden to the cost of eating out.
The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites rooms are bright, comfortable and quiet, overwhelmingly positive. But not perfect. It’s frustrating that each room has its own unique internet login, so it doesn’t come with you into common areas. Storage for clothes and bags is also quite limited, which could concern big packers.
Some added furniture on the balcony, like a lounge or table to go with the chairs, would also be welcomed.
What the heck is an amenity fee?
Something I haven’t come across before, but is part of the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites experience, is an amenity fee. I’m not sure why this cost, which as of late 2025 is US$39 per room per night, isn’t incorporated into the room rate. It’s a big added expense for Australians caught off guard, but it does unlock more than you’d expect.
Much of the inclusions you’d be frustrated if you didn’t get as standard. I don’t feel “perks” such as Internet, pool and beach towels, gym and pool access, luggage storage, housekeeping and in-room coffee and tea are beyond base expectations. However, free local phone calls, unlimited DVD rentals, bottled water and a daily ice-cream for the kids is well-received.
Waikiki is a lot of fun
Your amenity fee also gets you two free tickets (one adult and one kid) to each of the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art. It seems pointless to me that they don’t offer the required tickets to cover everyone in the room, but if you’re solo parenting and have one kid, it’s a good head start on finding fun things to do in Waikiki.
If learning more about the Hawaiian culture is your thing, Iolani Palace is an insightful journey into the island’s Polynesian royalty. A grand old building, appointed with furniture and clothing of an era long past, I learned a lot from the self-guided audio tour.
Naturally, the beach offers all kinds of great entertainment. Beginner surfers will love the rolling waves, and swimmers the warm water. I saw kids jumping from wharves and pontoons, or snorkelling. Turtles and seals are harder to miss than find, although the water visibility isn’t great near the shore.
I did try some outrigger canoe surfing, found on a walk down the sand towards Waikiki via Faith Surf School. With the help of other intrepid travellers, we paddled out and caught two mid-sized waves back to sure. It’s over-priced, but certainly a fun experience.
Australians should note, however, that outside of the lagoon, the ocean water isn’t blessed with soft sands. It’s rocky and hard on the feet as befits a volcanic archipelago.
Shopping can be found all over the area, from mega American malls to boutique stores. As are places to eat. For fine dining, I can vouch for the delicious MW Restaurant and brilliant Mugen at ESPACIO. For something a bit more casual but a taste sensation, I loved The Pig and the Lady in Chinatown. (I was totally a pig!)
Are the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites right for you?
Not quite a resort, or a hotel, or an apartment, the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites somehow manages to combine all three with its unique design. I loved the size and functionality of the rooms and enjoyed the convenience of having so much on the ground floor.
The on-site restaurants are good, too. The Menehune Grill does a tasty breakfast and, in the afternoon, drinks can be consumed to live musician. While the Empire Restaurant up on floor 26 offers seriously good food and cocktails – and huge steaks – with a view to match.
If you want to be in the thick of Waikiki its location may not be for you, but I liked been a few steps out of the action. I think families will, too, especially given the quality of the neighbouring beach real estate.
It won’t be for everyone thanks to its peculiarities, and the amenity fee is sure to frustrate those caught unawares. But I certainly had a great, tropical, Waikiki experience at the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Chris Stead stayed as guests of Aston-Aqua Hospitality for the purposes of this review. Bookings can be made on the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites.
