The hype
Location is a 10/10, but the facility is a 6/10 unless you pay up for a renovated room.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
$180-300/ night
Book this if You want the absolute best location in Waikiki for the lowest price and plan to use your room only for showering and passing out.
Why People Love It
- Unbeatable location directly across from Waikiki Beach
- Ainahau Tower rooms offer legit ocean views for half the price of the Moana Surfrider
- Nightly live music at Splash Bar creates a fun, retro-tiki vibe
Quick Take: A legendary budget-friendly crash pad that relies heavily on its prime location to distract you from the dated carpets and thin walls.
Reviewed by @ctouchard: I checked into this high-floor room and was blown away by the view. Yes, the bathroom is totally retro with those green counters, but sitting on that balcony watching the waves roll in over the Royal Hawaiian made me forget all about the decor. Totally worth it.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
Many guests feel 'catfished' by booking a standard room and ending up in the unrenovated wings with popcorn ceilings and tub/shower combos that have seen better decades.
- You prioritize spending money on surf lessons and poke bowls over luxury linens
- You want to stumble out of bed and be at Duke's or Marukame Udon in 3 minutes
- You enjoy a lively, somewhat chaotic resort atmosphere with constant activity
Cleanliness & Maintenance
6.5
- Housekeeping: Hit or miss. Daily service is standard, but reports of missed dust and hair in corners are common in older rooms.
- Bathroom hygiene: Ainahau Tower bathrooms are modern and clean. Older wings have peeling grout, rust on fixtures, and 'permanent' stains in tubs.
- Maintenance: The older wings are showing their age—expect slow drains, loose outlets, and chipped furniture. Ainahau is solid.
- Linens & towels: Towels are often described as 'scratchy' and 'thin'. Bedding is standard Marriott white, generally clean but not luxe.
- Odors & scents: The lobby smells like flowers; the Kaiulani Wing hallways smell like humidity and old carpet.
Sleepability™
5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Live bands at Splash Bar (evenings)
- Street noise/sirens from Kalakaua & Kaiulani Ave
- Neighbors in adjoining rooms (very thin walls)
Before you book
Good to know
- The resort fee ($49.55/night) includes a GoPro rental for one day—reserve it immediately upon check-in as they run out.
- There is no room service, but you can order takeout from Splash Bar.
- The 'gym' situation has been in flux, sometimes located in a converted ballroom—check current status if you're a fitness diehard.
What to pack
- High-quality earplugs or a white noise machine
- A power strip (outlets in older rooms are scarce and loose)
- Reusable water bottle (filling stations are available in the lobby)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Ainahau Tower, High Floor (20+), Ocean View — recently refreshed, better noise insulation, stunning views.
- Ainahau Tower 'Skyline' view for a cheaper option that still gets the renovation benefits.
Rooms to avoid
- Any room in the Kaiulani Wing (oldest, darkest, mustiest)
- Princess Wing low floors (direct line of fire for pool noise)
- Rooms near the elevator bank in Ainahau (constant dinging)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a room in the AINAHAU TOWER, specifically a 'High Floor Ocean View' if available. Please avoid the Kaiulani Wing and low floors facing the pool due to noise sensitivity.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool heated?
No, and it gets very little sun in the afternoon due to the tower shadows. It can feel surprisingly chilly.
Can I walk to the beach?
Yes, you are literally across the street. Walk through the hotel driveway, cross Kalakaua Ave, and you're on the sand in 2 minutes.
Is breakfast included?
Generally no, unless you have a specific package or high-tier Marriott status (Platinum+ gets a continental credit, but it's often described as 'meager').
How bad is the parking fee?
Painful. ~$45/day for self-parking. The garage is tight and spaces are small. Rent a car only for the days you leave Waikiki.
Are there laundry facilities?
Yes, coin-operated laundry is available on-site ($5 wash / $5 dry). Bring quarters or use the change machine.
Does the hotel have bed bugs?
Like many high-traffic Waikiki hotels, there have been isolated reports (including late 2024). Inspect your mattress seams immediately upon arrival, especially in the older wings.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Throwback Alley' pop-up on Fridays serves nostalgic local drive-in food for cheaper prices—ask the concierge if it's running.
- ✨
There is a secret shortcut through the back of the lobby to get to the International Market Place food court quickly.
- ✨
Don't pay for water—the ABC Store #38 is right next door for cheap drinks and snacks.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Princess Wing' rooms have lanais (balconies) that are often staring directly at a concrete wall or the parking garage.
💡The elevators in the Ainahau Tower can take 10+ minutes during checkout time (10am-11am).
💡The 'resort fee' includes MiFi rental, which is actually useful if you have a bad data plan.
💡Carpet in the hallways of the Kaiulani Wing has a distinct 'wet dog' smell that never quite leaves.
💡You can hear the nightly hula show from the Moana Surfrider across the street if you're on a high floor facing the ocean.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is located and what's nearby.