The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Impeccable service, friendliest people, wonderful restaurants(You will spend money on food if you are a foodie), views to die for, live music many nights, nice rooms, dolphins on grounds, and great location. And you do pay $50 per day for parking which is always an issue with me after paying so much for the rooms. Gym is included however which is a nice benefit. That being said, you do pay for it all but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for and we certainly built many wonderful memories.

What’s to say about this lovely piece of paradise in Honolulu?? We’ve been coming here for years now and on our annual vacation list. Everything is excellent from the room, amenities of the hotel, the exquisite and prompt service by the hotel staff and attention to detail. I’d rather be here on my birthday than any other hotel in Oahu or Hawaiian islands. We love the secluded and beautiful beach away from the hustle of Waikiki. The food and beverages reflect local and fresh ingredients which are prepared excellence in taste and presentation.

The Kahala remains the pinnacle of Honolulu resort experiences. It's difficult to convey, without directly experiencing it, how unique and beautiful this property is. Definitely an oasis of tranquility, the rooms and suites are wonderful, the beach is stunning and private, the (humanely treated) dolphins are spectacular, and the restaurants world class amazing. Staff is second to none, and Director of Guest Relations, Flora, is stellar.

Disappointing Stay – Far From a 5-Star Experience I had high hopes for The Kahala, but sadly, it fell far below expectations. The property is marketed as a luxurious 5-star resort, yet it felt more like a glorified Motel 6. From the moment we entered, it was clear that this hotel is in desperate need of a complete facelift. The rooms were especially disappointing. Chipped paint, worn-out furniture, and stained, threadbare carpets were everywhere. When we brought this up to the staff, we were told it was "vintage." However, it felt more neglected than nostalgic. Some areas even smelled of mold, while others had a harsh paint smell from attempts to refurbish. The common areas also lacked the polish expected of a 5-star resort. The ambiance was tired and outdated, and the overall cleanliness was questionable. How this property retains its status with The Leading Hotels of the World is baffling. It’s clear the hotel is living off its legacy rather than its current state. This resort needs new management, a vision, and a serious investment in upgrades. Until then, I cannot recommend it, especially for the price they charge. Save your money and look elsewhere.

We came back hoping for a better experience then our trip last year. The issue is that the property is dated. The rooms are old, the bathrooms are not modern, and the furniture needs a refresh. They simply need to do a massive renovation to keep pace with the four seasons and other hotels. The other issue is that they don’t have enough staff by the pool or at the beach, so plan on getting your own food and drinks, and beach chair service. They need a new management company and a total remodel. Sad as this is the best location and an iconic hotel.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort has become our favorite place to stay in. The atmosphere is relaxing and staff is friendly with excellent customer service! Love that you’re steps to the beach, really appreciate that they allow dogs, plenty of areas to take photos, it’s just beautiful! We look forward to staying here throughout the years 🩵

Kelly from the front desk was so kind, professional, and patient. |We live in the neighborhood and went there for a staycation, so wanted to make the best out of the stay and the weekend to make it memorable with our small kids. Kelly helped us choose the room that meets our family’s needs. ||Mahalo Kelly for making the weekend special!

Loved the resort and everyone was very friendly and helpful. If you are just wanting to go and relax the resort has everything you need. Beautiful beach, pool, hot tub, dining (nothing inexpensive though) sauna, work out room, light shopping and great places to just sit and watch the world go by. There is a small shopping center with some fast food about 2 miles from the resort you can go to without getting into all of the traffic. We stayed in the Dolphin Lanai ground floor and it was really nice. We sat out on the Lanai most mornings and just watched the dolphins. Very relaxing. The rooms are very comfortable and the dressing area is very nice. If going with someone else it it is helpful that it had two sinks with mirrors separate from each other which was nice when getting ready. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there.

Impeccable service, friendliest people, wonderful restaurants(You will spend money on food if you are a foodie), views to die for, live music many nights, nice rooms, dolphins on grounds, and great location. And you do pay $50 per day for parking which is always an issue with me after paying so much for the rooms. Gym is included however which is a nice benefit. That being said, you do pay for it all but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for and we certainly built many wonderful memories.

What’s to say about this lovely piece of paradise in Honolulu?? We’ve been coming here for years now and on our annual vacation list. Everything is excellent from the room, amenities of the hotel, the exquisite and prompt service by the hotel staff and attention to detail. I’d rather be here on my birthday than any other hotel in Oahu or Hawaiian islands. We love the secluded and beautiful beach away from the hustle of Waikiki. The food and beverages reflect local and fresh ingredients which are prepared excellence in taste and presentation.

The Kahala remains the pinnacle of Honolulu resort experiences. It's difficult to convey, without directly experiencing it, how unique and beautiful this property is. Definitely an oasis of tranquility, the rooms and suites are wonderful, the beach is stunning and private, the (humanely treated) dolphins are spectacular, and the restaurants world class amazing. Staff is second to none, and Director of Guest Relations, Flora, is stellar.

Disappointing Stay – Far From a 5-Star Experience I had high hopes for The Kahala, but sadly, it fell far below expectations. The property is marketed as a luxurious 5-star resort, yet it felt more like a glorified Motel 6. From the moment we entered, it was clear that this hotel is in desperate need of a complete facelift. The rooms were especially disappointing. Chipped paint, worn-out furniture, and stained, threadbare carpets were everywhere. When we brought this up to the staff, we were told it was "vintage." However, it felt more neglected than nostalgic. Some areas even smelled of mold, while others had a harsh paint smell from attempts to refurbish. The common areas also lacked the polish expected of a 5-star resort. The ambiance was tired and outdated, and the overall cleanliness was questionable. How this property retains its status with The Leading Hotels of the World is baffling. It’s clear the hotel is living off its legacy rather than its current state. This resort needs new management, a vision, and a serious investment in upgrades. Until then, I cannot recommend it, especially for the price they charge. Save your money and look elsewhere.

We came back hoping for a better experience then our trip last year. The issue is that the property is dated. The rooms are old, the bathrooms are not modern, and the furniture needs a refresh. They simply need to do a massive renovation to keep pace with the four seasons and other hotels. The other issue is that they don’t have enough staff by the pool or at the beach, so plan on getting your own food and drinks, and beach chair service. They need a new management company and a total remodel. Sad as this is the best location and an iconic hotel.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort has become our favorite place to stay in. The atmosphere is relaxing and staff is friendly with excellent customer service! Love that you’re steps to the beach, really appreciate that they allow dogs, plenty of areas to take photos, it’s just beautiful! We look forward to staying here throughout the years 🩵

Kelly from the front desk was so kind, professional, and patient. |We live in the neighborhood and went there for a staycation, so wanted to make the best out of the stay and the weekend to make it memorable with our small kids. Kelly helped us choose the room that meets our family’s needs. ||Mahalo Kelly for making the weekend special!

Loved the resort and everyone was very friendly and helpful. If you are just wanting to go and relax the resort has everything you need. Beautiful beach, pool, hot tub, dining (nothing inexpensive though) sauna, work out room, light shopping and great places to just sit and watch the world go by. There is a small shopping center with some fast food about 2 miles from the resort you can go to without getting into all of the traffic. We stayed in the Dolphin Lanai ground floor and it was really nice. We sat out on the Lanai most mornings and just watched the dolphins. Very relaxing. The rooms are very comfortable and the dressing area is very nice. If going with someone else it it is helpful that it had two sinks with mirrors separate from each other which was nice when getting ready. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there.

If you're looking for an unforgettable buffet experience on O'ahu, look no further than The Kahala Hotel's brunch buffet. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a beautiful view of the ocean to set the tone for a relaxing, indulgent meal. The spread was impressive, offering a little bit of everything. There were fresh seafood options, including shrimp and crab legs, which were incredibly fresh and flavorful. The carving station had perfectly roasted meats, and the sushi station offered a nice variety of rolls, all made with top-quality ingredients. What really stood out to me was the array of local dishes. The Kahala does an excellent job of incorporating Hawaiian flavors into their buffet--items like their fresh poke and fresh tropical fruits (papaya, pineapple, and strawberries) made it feel like a true island experience. And let's not forget the pastries! The selection of fresh-baked goods, including muffins, croissants, and cakes, was absolutely mouthwatering. The service was top-notch as well. The staff was attentive, constantly refilling drinks and ensuring everything was running smoothly. It's clear they take pride in delivering an excellent dining experience. While it's on the pricier side, I'd say it's absolutely worth it for the quality and variety of food. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, The Kahala's buffet is a great choice. Overall, I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend it to anyone staying at the hotel or just visiting for a special meal.

The epitome of luxury and elegance is all wrapped up in The Kahala Hotel. It appears that it is a HUGE tourist destination/spot as well since there are a lot of people that stay here as a hotel guest from all over the world. It is so famous that they have Kahala hotel merchandise (limited edition) that are sold in its hotel and also they have storefront at the Royal Hawaiian as well. There is just lots of things to do on the grounds itself - dolphin lagoon, beach, pool, various restaurants. Although it's not in town (aka Waikiki), it's super nice to be outside of all the hustle and bustle. Everyone here is really friendly and the service is good. We have dined here a couple of times and although the price is $$$-$$$$, it's worth the experience and feeling somewhat like royalty on the islands. They have Tesla superchargers! Fees and parking/valet separate.

I really wanted to enjoy this place and write a great review. Upon arrival, I used the public restroom outside the lobby. I was shocked to see that the bathroom door lock wasn't working and there were paper towels all over the place. They have so many Buddhist statues that give off a WEIRD energy.. Christians stay here, but unfortunately, that's overlooked. I booked a massage and it really just wasn't a good experience..To put it lightly. I DO NOT want any type of Reiki or energy work. That's against Christianity. I asked for "deep tissue" and I received a deeply disturbing experience. That night, I woke up to complete numbness down both arms. I have NEVER experienced anything like that and I knew it was from that weird massage This place has a dark energy . After I left, I received an email from the hotel; asking to complete the survey. I mentioned that I didn't like the massage. ! So, I let it be known in the hotel survey that I didn't like the massage. Next thing I know, I got a call from Jamie (manager at the spa). I explained what bothered me and she said "that's weird because the staff at the front desk told me you liked your massage. They were surprised" She then started putting me on "speaker" for others to hear. That's where any "class" level this hotel had went out the window. If she wants to call and discuss with me personally, that's ok; but to go and GOSSIP with people at the front desk is extremely CLASSLESS. I explained why I said it was good (bc I didn't want to disappoint my hubby). I shouldn't have to explain myself. She was very accusatory. I asked if a hotel manager could contact me and she said sarcastically "I am a manager". I then pressed the question and kept asking for "HOTEL MANAGER". She was extremely disrespectful bc she kept ignoring that with questions like "would you like a manager from food and beverage to contact you?" Why the heck would I want that, I noted on my survey that I felt the restaurants were great. She was being very disrespectful after I spent a lot of money to stay here. She FINALLY gave me the name of the actual hotel manager: Joel Ibarra She said he would definitely give me a call. Well, that was over a MONTH ago and I never received a call. To me, a luxury hotel = CLASS This place lacks class. They made me feel unappreciated and Jamie literally mocked me. I would NOT recommend this hotel due to uncleanliness, "Turtle Bay" on the North Shore is AMAZING if want a luxury and CLASSY Hawaiian vacation.

We've been coming to The Kahala Hotel & Resort every year for the past four years, and it's still as breathtaking as ever. Our most recent stay was no exception. The room had a stunning view of the beach, and waking up to the serene sound of the waves never gets old. The service remains top-notch--every staff member goes out of their way to make sure your stay is flawless. The food is consistently excellent, with delicious options that make dining a highlight of the experience. The views of the resort are simply magical, from the lush greenery to the tranquil private beach. It's the perfect escape for relaxation and indulgence. This place holds a special place in our hearts, and we'll definitely be back again next year!

Kahala used to do a Christmas lightning celebration the day after Thanksgiving. I know they canceled it during Covid. But it seemed to never come back. The tree was already lit in. They put up a cute gingerbread house, that I will definitely come back to check out when it's open.

Loved visiting the Kahala Hotel. Found parking in the parking garage. Strolled around the grounds before a peaceful class held at the Veranda. The bathrooms are on the ground floor.

"A wish fulfillment" Over the many decades we have eaten at the restaurants located at the Kahala hotels, we never had a chance to stay at the hotel. This year, 2023, after so many years, we finally decided to stay there in its current incarnation. How long a wait was it? We would dine several times a year at the Maile room which was one of the premier fine dining restaurants back in the day. And that was a long time ago. The hotel can best be described as elegant laid back a hospitality jewel away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The hotel was built in the 60s and has retained much of its original charm with contemporary upgrades. The lobby area is grand in an unpretencious way and is comfortable to relax at, while waiting for meal reservations or just to people watch. Being oceanfront is of course a big draw as well as their dolphin encounter area. There are primary eating opportunities at the Kahala Hotel, Hokus, (Higher end elegant) Arancino (Italian/Japanese accent) and the Plumeria Beach House (Casual). We had a chance to have breakfast at Plumeria Cafe and dinner at Arancino. We enjoyed both. More detailed review of the restaurants later. The hotel room was spacious- 525 square feet. They had a Kamaaina discount for Hawaii residents which was greatly appreciated. This was of course, greatly appreciated. If we decide to do another "staycation", the Kahala Hotel will definitely be high on our list for a place to explore and relax.

I wanted a resort which provided access to the beach, restaurants on site and quiet surroundings with less tourists. I chose the perfect hotel. This hotel has a beautiful beach with plenty of space to swim or just sit by the water. There is also a pool with bar area which was nice when you wanted to get away from the sand and just chill by the pool. I liked that there were several options for food available on site and that room service was also an option. I ate several times at the hotel and used room service on one occasion. The staff was always courteous. The food was promptly serviced and tasty although a bit pricey in my option. The hotel is not in Waikiki so I would recommend renting a car if you want to explore the island as most island tours do not pick up at the hotel. The hotel offers valet service or self parking. The valet team were exceptional. Very helpful, courteous and prompt with delivering my car. Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel. The hotel is beautiful and more private than the hotels in Waikiki which makes it a perfect location to relax and enjoy your time in paradise.

I've been coming to The Kahala since the late 70s (when it was the Kahala Hilton); was married by the waterfall in November 1984 and have returned periodically for a staycation. My wife passed in 2018 but I continue to book a stay in early November, usually starting on the 3rd and leaving on the 6th to remember our time together and to celebrate my birthday. The Kahala hasn't changed appreciably in almost fifty years but I like that. It's an oasis by the sea, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, with large rooms, wonderful bathrooms and superlative service. It may not offer the latest and greatest in features and shops and it's now showing signs of needing a refurbishment but to me it's like a second home; a timeless classic. I do miss the Maile Lounge where Kit Samson and Connie Kissinger used to perform as well as the Maile Restaurant with the kimono-clad hostesses, the water feature and the Duckling Waialae entree. Ah, the good old days. I usually have breakfasts and lunches at the Plumeria Beach House, as Arancino hasn't re-opened for lunch. I almost always book the 8-course tasting menu and the Sunday brunch at Hoku's; one of my favorite restaurants on Oahu. We've tried the standard room with and without a balcony and the suites, both mountain and ocean view. I prefer the mountain view because it's the cooler side of the building and I prefer the green vistas. I have an ocean view at home so it's not a must have for me and the cost differential is substantive. I was in room #802, right off the elevator lobby, in the Diamond Head wing. While convenient, I was again somewhat bothered by the sounds of the elevators going up and down. Coincidentally, I had room #902 in 2022. Is this the room assigned to Kama'aina? The Kahala Resort remains "the hotel" in Hawaii for me. Its understated luxury and quiet and peaceful ambiance makes for a more enjoyable and relaxing stay than anywhere else on Oahu and arguably in Hawaii. The standard room is large with a fabulous (to me) bathroom ... I want this bathroom at home! Haha, I installed the same Toto toilet / washlet at home after experiencing it in the hotel many years ago. The building is just ten stories high so it's uncrowded and the restaurants offer enough variety that I don't have to leave the hotel to enjoy memorable meals. I didn't use the pool (I've never used the pool) nor the beach this time. It's a really nice, private beach and it's the only time I venture into the ocean. There are a few shops and I always purchase their chocolate covered macadamia nuts as gifts. Yes, larger hotels offer more entertainment and shopping opportunities but nowhere else with the possible exception of the Halekulani Hotel do I find a sense of grace and an unhurried pace like I do at The Kahala Resort. The rooms at The Kahala are much larger than those at the Halekulani and when you factor in the nice, private beach and the cost differential, The Kahala always wins out. However, I noticed a reduction in the quality of service this year in some areas. Last year (and in years past), I would find a note and a piece of cake in my room, wishing me a happy birthday. Nothing this year. When I checked in, the front desk associate didn't know I've been coming at the same time for years. The service in the Plumeria Beach House was just okay and in one case, less than satisfactory. Only in Hoku's did I receive the level of service and attention to detail that makes The Kahala my favorite hotel in Hawaii. In the end, it didn't prevent me from booking another stay in 2024. Hopefully, I won't get a x02 room next November. :p

Private beach - check Dolphin lagoon - check 5-star hotel service - check Checks all the boxes! Water here is so clear and beautiful that it makes me want to swim even though I usually just prefer sunbathing. Paradise indeed :) Private beach and dolphin lagoon are the trademarks of this hotel, and I'm not surprised by the wall full of celebrities and famous individuals who have stayed or gotten married here in the past. I'd come back in a heartbeat and would consider staying for my honeymoon!

Very nice ocean front hotel with great beaches for a price. There are at least three restaurants on the premises that offered great meals. Moreover, guests can get close and personal playing with dolphins if they don't mind getting wet; oh, they probably have to pay for the honor:-)

We've stayed at the Kahala twice now and, without a doubt, if I were coming back to Oahu, I would stay here again. The service, ambiance, and location are worth the money; the only thing lacking, I would say, was the food (specifically, the dinner options). My one tip for staying here is to rent a car. The overnight parking fee, for us, was worth the convenience of being able to go wherever we wanted. My related tip is to self-park the car in the adjoining garage instead of going through valet. They also have EV charging available. PROS: - Location is the best on the island. We walked through Waikiki a few times during our trip and my overall impression was like being in Times Square with palm trees and beaches. The downtown area, to me, feels very corporate and soulless. The Kahala is about a 15-minute drive from Waikiki - I appreciated how secluded and quiet it was. - The beach by Kahala is stunning. Perhaps the nicest beach I've ever seen. Sand was minimally pebbly and rocky (so no worries about cutting up the bottom of your feet) and the water was so clear and indescribably blue. It's one of those beaches where, until you come up close, looks fake from a distance. - Everyone we interacted with at the hotel, from the front desk to the hardworking valet guys to the people at breakfast, was super friendly. - Breakfast buffet had tons of options. I'm a creature of habit so ended up eating the same few items every morning, but my husband enjoyed the variety in the omelette station and the carving station. CONS: - Depending on whether it's the busy season, the loungers by the pool and beach get snatched up quickly. This is definitely one of those scenarios where the early bird gets the worm. Late risers often came to the pool to find no seats available. There were also times where we couldn't get a lounge cover. There are private cabanas by the beach for something like $125 for the day (and you have to book in advance); if you lay there without a reservation, someone will chase you away. - Dinner options are kind of scarce, especially if you don't have a car or you want to stay close by. All of the restaurants on site are $$$$. To give you some idea, our one dinner at the Veranda was about $150 for a burger, a side of fries, a crudite/hummus appetizer, and a drink. The food was just ok. For the next days, we ate fresh poke from Foodland for half that price and double the amount of food. (This is the one downside to not staying in Waikiki, where there's an abundance of food options within walking distance.) - The hotel room itself could use a facelift. Carpet was worn and stained, some peeling and cracking in the bathroom. We were barely in the room except to sleep so we didn't mind but for the nightly price, I was expecting a bit more. That said, either from the sun or the hiking, I slept like a baby the whole trip even though our room was right next to the elevator bank. I also read somewhere that they will be beginning renovations soon so hopefully, the next time we visit, we can see the improvements. While we were there, the President and First Lady of South Korea came to visit; very cool to see the hotel roll out the literal red carpet.

Beautiful hotel and spa. Over the top service, dining and hotel rooms. Whoever does the training from valet to front desk employees should be commended - courtesy, friendly and service oriented! Love the lobby, it is always so tranquil and full of fresh flowers and orchids, so lovely. Rooms are comfy and beautiful, live staying here. Restaurants are outstanding, love their seafood buffet on Saturday and Sunday's delicious! Plumeria Beach House is our favorite restaurant for breakfast and dinner, delicious!

This restaurant lives up to the hype. once you've had their pasta, you can't go back. Fresh, flavorful and ready to order it again. The staff is professional and wonderful to be around.

Had a chance stay here with an Kamaina rate Had the best corner ( as front desk mentioned all head's turn towards us ) cabana room overlooking the Dolphins pool swimming and jumping right in front of our room even sleeping though night was Amazing

One of the most disappointing hotel stays we have ever had as a family. To put into perspective, we have stayed at many high end resorts (Montage, St Regis, Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton are our usual accommodations) We were spending the night on Oahu and based on the website and Condé Nast rating we decided to spend the night at the Kahala. Pros- Eddie at the plumeria provided wonderful service to our family. Another positive was we were given access to the hospitality suite after we checked out so we could continue to utilize the pool and beach. Valet was very proficient and polite. The rooms were nicely appointed. We asked for extra pillows and towels and they were delivered within 5 minutes. The hotel was beautifully decorated for the holidays. We were also provided a nice cool towel and beautiful lei necklaces upon check in. The beach was calm and the sand was nice. Unfortunately the positives ended there and were not enough to make up for the cons. Cons- were decided upon swimming after a busy day of travel and sightseeing. The pool claims to be open 24 hours a day but there were no towels left. The attendants at the pool rudely told me to walk up to the valet to find towels. Mind you we were already in the pool and soaking wet. After much dismay the attendant walked up and got us a towel. After this, we decided to partake in the holiday brunch they were offering at the plumeria. It was $120 an adult and $55 a child. For that price, I would expect something spectacular. I would honestly say the buffet at a dennys would have been more appetizing. The food was so bad my children ordered something off the menu after eating a few things off the buffet. Both the fish and pasta were practically inedible. $560 for us to eat the buffet and we all left disappointed and disgusted. My husband addressed this with hotel management and was completely brushed off. Never at a Ritz would we have been brushed off by management for a valid complaint. The next day we decided to spend the morning at the pool. All of the staff at the pool were rude and lacked a sense of urgency. The pool attendants basically told me to look around and find a seat. Then when I pointed out we had he was disgruntled to have to set our chairs. Then had the audacity to stare us down for a tip. Not with the attitude and way we were treated. We were handed a buzzer to order food and were met with attitude when we pressed the button to order. We waited almost an hour for some of the worst pool food I've ever had. The açaí bowl was awful and kids nachos were gross and cold. We were never once asked if we wanted refills. Our finished plates sat for almost 45 minutes as bees started to land on the food. The overall attitudes of almost everyone (except the few mentioned) were rude and put out when anything was requested. Summary- this hotel obviously lacks solid leadership and customer service training. The hotel could have amazing potential but is a far cry from the pictures on the website and a Condé Nast review. I would spent my money elsewhere when visiting this island. I can honestly say I would have been very upset if I had booked this hotel for a week. I would never stay at this hotel again.

Went there to try out the brunch buffet food was great and filling and so was the service. When all was over went to pick up my car from the valet and they couldn't find my Keys!!!! The woman that was running the front of the valet pulled my keys to get my car but then they were miss placed waited close to an hour to get my car out of valet making us late to our appointment. The only thing they could tell me was don't worry your car was still there but we are looking for your keys they are around here somewhere. For such a high end hotel I would have expected much better service than this. Don't think I'll be coming back here any time soon.

Kahala is my go to hotel in Hawaii. At this point, I simply associate Hawaii with Kahala now since I stay here almost every single time. Private beach, private reef, private dolphins, complete amenities, great restaurants, professional staffs, convenient shuttles, private golf course, and many many more. What more do I have to say...

Love this hotel. No resort fees, no crowds, excellent service and great restaurants. A gem.

Just stayed the weekend for a ladies staycation. We took advantage of the kamaaina deals! Started off amazing! All staff very helpful and friendly! Especially Darryl! EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!! Grounds were clean and beautiful!! The only BAD thing I can say is the ONLY swimming pool they have was breaking down. The pool itself was almost Jacuzzi like, VERY WARM, ALMOST HOT! NOT REFRESHING. Pool tiles were breaking off ALL OVER! The pool edges and even the bottom surface. I almost cut my feet, several times. Multiple areas on the bottom missing alot of tiles. For a resort with these prices and location, to have a rundown pool like this was very disappointing. Someone could get seriously hurt! Hope it gets fixed soon! Would love to come back and enjoy a newly upgraded pool along with the rest of the Kahala resort experience! Rooms were beautiful and spacious as well!

From the outside, it looks like a building from the 1960's but inside, a striking hotel that exudes charm and elegance perfectly balancing contemporary luxury with the feel of old Hawaii. Open shared spaces are comfortable and inviting. Sitting in the lobby, having a conversation and watching people go by for an hour feels right. As does relaxing on the attached balcony in a hardwood rocking chair watching the dolphins swim below. Guest rooms, while old in layout (you can't change the superstructure of a building) are comfortable and exude island flair. Washer toilets, rain shower, soaking tub, his and hers vanities, comfortable robes all add. The hotel prides itself on cleanliness and COVID health safety. It shows. The rooms are spotless. Linens and bedding very clean. Even the table and chairs on the balcony have been cleaned. There is no visible dust anywhere. The same is true for all common spaces. Impressive. As with all luxury properties, creating the proper guest experience is paramount. Any employee you meet, from the dolphin handler walking by to the guy watering the plants, concierge and front desk associates always acknowledge you with a greeting and smile. Again, impressive. All is not perfect yet. The hotel is not operating at 100 percent with a reduced staff and restaurants with limited hours. And while a call to change dining reservations took 20 rings before the hotel operator picked up after dining reservations didn't, the hotel operator took it upon herself to make sure my reservation was changed and called me back directly within five minutes. Triply impressive. TIP: Kamaaina, 40 percent off rooms and free self parking with in and out privileges until the end of the year. It speaks for itself that visitors are more than willing to pay the $700 -$1000 per night plus the 18 percent tax for a regular room. The Kahala Hotel remains one of Oahu's top Luxury properties.

Nicely appointed spacious rooms. The beach area is beautiful and not crowded. The casual food options are average. The staff is very friendly. It had more children than I had expected. But it still served well as a romantic getaway.

Best experience for a relaxing Hawaiian vacation. My wife and I had an amazing experience. The service was great. I've never met so many working at one place before so friendly and welcoming. The small secluded beach is relaxing and peaceful. Even on the weekend it was quiet and not packed at all. The price of the food and drinks are a bit high but worth it for such a great time. I would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be coming back.

I recently stopped at this Tesla supercharger and was pleasantly surprised! They charge $6 for every 20 minutes, which is pretty reasonable, but I discovered a great deal: if you spend $50, you get validated for up to four hours. The real highlight is the location. The coastal views are incredible, and I even spotted some dolphins! Plus, there's private beach access, which adds to the experience. It's a perfect place to relax while your car charges. If you're in the area, I definitely recommend checking it out

Came here for our honeymoon just prior to thanksgiving on a Kamaaina rate. Booked an Ocean view with balcony. Received an Ocean / Loading Zone view with a noisy refrigerator truck running 24x7. Asked to be switched, only to be moved 4 rooms away from the noisy loading zone, despite the fact that there is another building that we could've moved to. When I filled out their survey, their only response was "Come back and we'll give you a free upgrade ". Oh: spend more of our $$$ money to give Kahala a second chance? No thank you. Please treat locals as if you want them to come back or to recommend.

Wonderful, relaxing staycation weekend! With a room overlooking the dolphin lagoons it was so peaceful and quiet. Comfortable, luxurious, and so convenient not having to leave the resort the whole weekend. We had the best time!

I just received a promotional e-mail from The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and they did a great job of reminding me to return. My incredible sister booked us a trip here to celebrate our niece's graduation from Chaminade University and Mother's Day a few years ago. We had a room facing the dolphin lagoon. I hope they release these beauties but it was still amazing to wake up and watch them swim right outside of our room. I miss their beachside breakfast buffets where we enjoyed the freshest papaya and shrimp omelets. My nephew only ate bacon but it was the best bacon too. My son had a blast swimming and ordering his poolside lunch. The bidet in our bathroom was life-changing. Service was impeccable. They will treat you like VIPs. My dad always used to say where there's a will, there's a way. I hope we all find a way to visit this magical place. I currently landed a second job and will try to save up and return!

Horrible experience with the valet. I came to have dinner with my girls to celebrate a birthday. He asked what I want and I said I'm here for dinner. He asked if I wanted to charge my Tesla and I said yes! Then he said he can't because the hotel is too busy and they've parked other cars in the supercharger stalls. Why ask me then?? Why have 12 supercharger stalls to park gas cars in them so the Tesla owners can't charge? I checked and 8 out of 12 stalls were not in use so I'm disappointed that I couldn't charge. They should be reserved for Teslas and since we paid $600 for dinner I would just think they could be nicer about it. Food was great but valet not so much.

Meh... OVerpriced... not the attention I expected for the price. My family did a staycation event to celebrate Mother's Day and my husband figured a weekend at the Kahala would be a nice treat. It's a beautiful place, a little windy, but away from things to where it's not like Waikiki. He had booked a dolphin lagoon view room only to be told upon arrival that it had one bed instead of the two needed for my family. They accommodated and provided a partial ocean view room that was probably better than the lagoon view. No issues with the room or view, other than it's a good walk from the front of the hotel to the rear. We got our steps in. I had arranged for reservations at each of their restaurants so that we could just hang out, not have to worry about driving, and just relax. It can be a busy place with events and customers, making you realize that it's not a big, quiet, resort. The view is beautiful as it's situated on the beach and golf course but the wind was so plentiful in this area that it was rather cool and not many people chose to swim. My family reflected after our visit that we were expecting a little more luxury for the cost of the stay. Maybe we were paying for the celebrity pictures on the wall but felt we could've invested that money in a stay elsewhere for a better experience.

Let me count the ways that the KAHALA HOTEL resort is the absolute place to go to spend your most cherished occasions! I would like to compliment on the entire staff an establishment on a 5 star experience once again! We came back in April and it was wonderful back then. This time is was my 52ND birthday celebration & getaway. The front desk staff (JOCK, YUKI, etc) welcomed us so warmly and professionally! Although we are "KAMAAINA "they treated us w the upmost respect. The rooms are gorgeous with above average accommodations! The space, bathroom and view was amazing. I can't say enough for housekeeping and especially the VALET & concierge section! Gary and the crew were top notch and tended to our luggage and vehicles! The pool and beach access is excellent with the pool staff / cabana / food service being so awesome ! Every penny was worth it !! This resort is so classy and well kept we were blown away with the amenities and staff. Thank you so much for making our second stay (and not the last) amazing. I plan to return again soon! Hats off to the admin who have such an incredible staff and establishment. !! See you again ! See you very Soon!!

Very pleasant environment. My daughter loved playing with the dolphin. The staff is very accommodating as well.

The Kahala Hotel is luxurious. For those unfamiliar with Oahu, the majority of tourists end up staying in Waikiki, but if you're looking for a quieter stay that is still close to town and nearby many of Oahu's most popular spots, the Kahala hotel is perfect (if you have the budget to stay). The Kahala has great restaurants and the Sunday brunch at Hoku's is one of the best on the island! Arancino's is also another great spot. Beach access is excellent and they have a great pool as well! You'll see many people getting married here. You will need a car if you're staying here as it's in a somewhat secluded area.

My family did a staycation event to celebrate my wife and I figured a weekend at the Kahala would be a nice treat. It's a beautiful place, a little windy, but away from things to where it's not like Waikiki. I had booked a dolphin lagoon view room only to be told upon arrival that it had one bed instead of the two needed for my family. They accommodated and provided a partial ocean view room that was probably better than the lagoon view. No issues with the room or view, other than it's a good walk from the front of the hotel to the rear. We got our steps in. I had arranged for reservations at each of their restaurants so that we could just hang out, not have to worry about driving, and just relax. It can be a busy place with events and customers, making you realize that it's not a big, quiet, resort. The view is beautiful as it's situated on the beach and golf course but the wind was so plentiful in this area that it was rather cool and not many people chose to swim. My family reflected after our visit that we were expecting a little more luxury for the cost of the stay. Maybe we were paying for the celebrity pictures on the wall but felt we could've invested that money in a stay elsewhere for a better experience.

We returned to the Kahala Resort & Hotel after 30 years to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Even after 30 years, this resort still holds its classic Hawaiian charm and character. Away from the Waikiki hustle and bustle, Kahala Resort still feels exclusive, very well kept, quiet, serene, and world-class service all around. A special thank you to housekeeping for the daily service and ensuring we had an ample supply of coffee pods and bottled water; and to the bellhop team for their friendly and courteous service with parking our vehicle and seeking transportation for our family guests. We plan on returning to Kahala Resort & Hotel each year for our anniversary.

I feel terrible for one reason only I usually give everybody 4 to 5 stars because I do my homework before going to places. but since I don't know anyone there to actually complain to , I hope the GM SEE THIS. Contact me for his CLEAR picture. We were dropping off a VIP guest and upon seeing a uniformed FOH staff right in front of my guest - . I greeted him and wished him a good night. He slowly side eyed me like I was being inappropriate or obnoxious and walked away. No need fo' dat- We are all working in the industry, show solidarity

It's a paradise . I visited all islands of Hawaii and stayed in 5 star hotels at all the time. If you are choosing hotel in Hawaii you have to choose between two most amazing hotels - it's either four seasons or it's Kahala Resort, if you want to spend a quality life with your loved ones , it's great place to relax and forget all your problems

Excellent everything~ from parking service to wait service to fine dining and even music! I haven't been to Kahala Hotel & Resort for so many years! This was the best evening live HDO in years. Thank you everyone for making it a fun time.

Lovely place front beach. Drinking aperol spritz amazing to be sharing time with family.good for kids

Beautiful place, everyone was super kind and thoughtful. House keeping were super sweet, they even pass by later in the evening and give chocolate bites and waters. The restaurants here are quite pricey but to be honest most of all food places in Hawaii are above average and I'm saying that from California. The beach is clean and not too crowded if you're trying to stay away from a packed beach, the water isn't clear is the downside but a beach is a beach. I'd definitely come back here

My husband and I have my most romantic and delicious evening at Kahala. Hats off to the chef! Absolutely brilliant! Cheers

I'm only rating this hotel by the services they offer but not the actual hotel rooms because we never stayed here. We came here because you can see dolphins swimming near the pool area. For a price, you can swim with the dolphins. They validate your parking for 4 hours if you spend over $30 at a restaurant. We ended up dining at an outside cafe outside the hotel. The cafe was pretty good. I had the club sandwich with fries. Hubby, daughter and I got to walk around the hotel and check out the gift shop and some stores they had within the hotel. I thought this hotel was a 5 star hotel because of how fancy everything is. I heard from hubby that they remodeled the hotel. I think the hotel stay would be expensive because of all the amenities the hotel has to offer. The public bathroom was even fancy and clean. I wanted to dine at a restaurant but maybe next time. I'm sure the food is delicious and fancy. There's views of the beach right outside the pool area with so much to do. They even had a waterfall and couches to lounge on. I would definitely want to do a staycation here one day when I am not so busy. I highly recommend.

Had a lovely dinner with family at Plumeria Cafe on the Oceanside. Service was great, food delicious, ambiance very posh, view was sublime and dolphins super fun to interact with.

Worst experience ever from a so called high end hotel. Booked this hotel for 3 nights/dolphin view , but ended up leaving. When I booked this hotel I was told I would receive early check in for 1:30pm. The day of check in the person at the reception counter told me the room was not ready and he would rush it. 4 hours later sitting in the lobby with a toddler and hungry baby the room was still not ready. The staff did not check up on us or tell us about the so called hospitality suite they just left us in the lobby to the point we were the only people there and I had to talk to the manager to cancel the whole reservation. This was beyond embarrassing. When we spoke to the manager about the situation all he could say is "who told you that there is early check in. We don't guarantee early check in. " Instead of an apology or even hey there is a hospitality suite so you can feed your baby. In addition I had to come back the next day to the hotel to refund me an incidental room charge of $1800 for a room I did not stay in.

Stayed at the Kahala Resort for 5 days. This was the highlight of my vacation! The service was amazing and all the staff were super friendly! They remembered my name throughout my entire stay and made sure I had an awesome stay! The beach was beautiful and wasnt as crowded as Waikiki. When I did go to Waikiki, it was only a 10 minute drive! The water was super clear here and it was so relaxing hanging out by the beach! Breakfast buffet was great every morning and their seafood buffet on the weekends hit the spot! BIG shoutout to Jastine, Eddie, Randy, Leilani, Linda and Zachary! Its rare to create connections at a resort, let alone a 5 day stay. You know this is a special place when its bittersweet leaving, not because your vacation has come to an end, but because youre leaving these great people! I cant wait to come back to this property!!

I haven't stayed here, but the moment you walk in to this hotel - you can't help but wonder how awesome it would be. The lobby is very nice and fancy. And the valets were nice and welcoming. I can't wait to stay here one day...hopefully soon. I will say that the restaurants in this hotel are top notch.

10-17-21 Thanks to our very generous and thoughtful daughter we are going to enjoy Staycationing here. First time overnighting here. Woohoo!!! Hubs would never splurge on the going rate or even the kamaaina rate. The parking structure sign announced Lot Full but I waited by the first set of rocking chairs with the luggage. A very young, friendly and helpful valet advised hubs something might open up. Sure enough. Kalehua welcomed us with warm Hawaiian hospitality. We both filled out forms, showed our vaccination card and drivers licenses. She took our temperatures and issued 2 keys for our room plus to use to exit the parking structure while we are here. We even got lei'd: black and white kukui nut for hubs and Yellow shells for me. So intuitive, Kalehua even offered to take our photo. She knew that Doc footed the bill for our stay here. She said send this to your daughter. Amazing! We have an oceanfront room and the bathrooms are as big as our room with separate shower and tub plus 2 walk in closets. Someone just rang our doorbell and delivered a happy birthday cupcake: so cool! What a great adventure. Thanks big time WOMAN love, Ed(inside joke)

Amazing stay from arrival to departure! I want to thank Lynn Sato for always making us feel so special, she is one of the main reasons I return every year. A big mahalo to the crew at the bar, Anji, Danny, Kainoa and Robert. The staff at the pool are all so wonderful too, they are all helpful and caring. This is a great place to stay, I guarantee you will love it.

My husband originally booked us a trip to stay at the Kahala in October, but our flights never took off so we had to cancel. Jessica in reservations (and one other lady who I wish I could remember what her name was) was absolutely amazing and so understanding. We rebooked for April and it was absolutely worth it. First of all, the level of customer service that started with Jessica continued throughout our stay. Every single employee that we encountered was friendly, helpful, and smiling. We had a welcome bottle of champagne and a cupcake for my birthday! Our stay was in room 1029 and the views were absolutely amazing. It did overlook the lobby area but also had amazing ocean views and Diamond Head views. At our time of stay, they had 6 male dolphins onsite that are very well taken care of and loved. The resort has a private beach which was absolutely beautiful and never crowded. It is off the strip so there's not a ton of traffic or people. I think the only thing we would've changed is the high prices for food and drink. The buffet was not our cup of tea at $90 a person, we felt there should be more options. Other than that, the Kahala is absolutely amazing and hands down, one of our favorite vacations we've taken.

Stayed here late October for a management conference! One of the few resort type hotels that doesn't charge a resort fee. For this reason alone Kahala is worth staying at for a little Staycation. The standard room in my opinion is exceptional. Service also great, checkin smooth, everyone was so nice, wet cloth to start off to freshen up while checking in, followed by a few minutes then I had my room keys! The room and amenities in the room are above average. I had a view if the gold course with a large lanai. Also had a work station nicely placed for work setup! This hotel is offering room service currently which is nice. When it is work, you tend to appreciate the ability not to have to leave the room if there is work to be done! I will say for the room service food it was mediocre. But again the convenience made it OK. I was fed without having to leave my room so that was the main thing. But if you are looking for a great meal, room service was not the best:( But again, Service was good, food got to the room quickly, and they also quickly came to pick up everything. They also offer and do a nightly turn down of the bed, and leave chocolates for a personalized touch. I would stay here again, the nightly rate was about $300 Kamaaina rate, but if you compare it to resorts like Aulani where the rate is significantly higher plus a resort fee, this is more than reasonable and much cheaper! Plus the rooms and amenities are far nicer and than Aulani, where the rooms are significantly outdated. I don't think you will be dissatisfied with what you get at Kahala Hotel!