Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts, is one of 14 Hilton hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii, belonging to the brand’s luxury segment. We spent two nights here this July and were very happy with our choice. Here’s a closer look at why.
Booking and Value with Points
We booked two nights with Hilton Honors Points at a rate of 100,000 points per night. Even after the recent Hilton Honors points devaluation, this hotel still starts at around the same level for standard room awards, or about $600 per night when paying cash. It can be an excellent use of points, especially if you stay five nights and take advantage of the “Stay 5, Pay 4” promotion, where you get the fifth night free.
Alternatively, you can book through Hilton for Luxury on Gaja Dreams Hotels and enjoy extra benefits such as complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit per stay, double Hilton Honors points, early check-in and late check-out (upon availability), and a room upgrade (upon availability).
Right now, Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach offers a 33% discount when staying three nights or more, which can make a paid stay even better value than using points. If you’re a Hilton Honors elite member, you’ll still receive your daily food and beverage credit as usual.
Renovation Notice
Shortly after booking, we received an email from the hotel informing us about ongoing renovations and offering contact details if we wanted more information. We appreciated this proactive communication, even though we didn’t follow up, it showed good guest care.
When we arrived, we noticed the renovation only in the entrance area, where part of the building was covered by white boards. Inside, everything felt calm and organized, and it didn’t impact our stay at all.
Our Experience
From the moment we arrived, the staff at Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach impressed us with their warmth and professionalism, everyone was genuinely friendly and eager to help. The hotel’s beautiful open-design lobby immediately set the tone for a relaxing stay, and we loved the Wai‘olu Ocean Cuisine restaurant, which has an inviting atmosphere and ocean views.
We were delighted to receive an upgrade to a Deluxe Ocean View Room, featuring a balcony, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a stunning view of Waikiki Beach. The main room was spacious and decorated in natural tones, with a living room section with a working table and a bedroom area that felt calm and cozy. A large wardrobe was conveniently located in the corridor connecting the kitchenette with the main room. The bathroom also offered plenty of space, including a deep bathtub and a walk-in shower, perfect for a relaxing evening soak after a long day. Overall, the room felt airy and comfortable, the perfect space to unwind after exploring Honolulu.
Breakfast was served either as a buffet for $45 per person or à la carte. Since we were still adjusting to the time difference and woke up a bit later, we arrived toward the end of the breakfast time (served until 10:30 a.m.) and opted for the à la carte menu. The dishes were delicious, fresh, and generously portioned, making it a great start to the day. We also used our Diamond F&B credit of $50 here, and on both days, the cost for one meal and a drink per person came to roughly that amount.
Although the pool area is on the smaller side, it’s still a pleasant place to relax for a short swim or a cocktail in the sun. The hotel doesn’t have direct beach access, but with Waikiki Beach just across the street, that’s hardly an issue, you can be on the sand within minutes.
We also appreciated how the hotel handled its ongoing renovations, which are planned to continue until March 2026. Other than a small part of the entrance area being covered and the temporary closure of Yo Café (the usual breakfast restaurant), our breakfast was served at Wai‘olu. In fact, most of the rooms and suites have already been renovated, and the fresh, modern design you see on the Hilton website reflects what you can expect during your visit.
Conclusion
Overall, Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a luxurious, relaxing stay in the heart of Waikiki with a warm atmosphere, great staff, and unbeatable location.
The resort will soon be fully renovated, and the new room and suite designs shown in the Hilton app look fantastic. It will be interesting to see how the public areas will be transformed as well.
Discover Hawaii’s Top Resorts With Extra Perks
We feature 35 top resorts in Hawaii. Booking with Gaja Dreams Hotels gives you more value for the same best flexible rate. Enjoy daily breakfast for two, $100 hotel credit per stay, points and status benefits, VIP recognition, room upgrades when available, and early check-in and late check-out.
