Standing at the western edge of Waikiki, the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites has long been a distinctive high-rise landmark overlooking the Ala Wai Yacht Marina. This review draws on verified guest feedback from major booking platforms and editorial sources to give you a clear, evidence-based picture of what to expect from this recently reopened property in 2025.
Last checked: 2026-05-16
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Location: Western end of Waikiki, on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina ·
Hotel type: High-rise hotel and condominium ·
Suites: Spacious with full kitchens and marina or ocean views ·
Pools: Two outdoor pools
Ilikai Hotel Guide: History, Ownership, and Guest Experience
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-16.
Sources reviewed: Official property website, TripAdvisor reviews, Expedia listing, Hotels.com listing, Booking.com reviews, Trip.com listing, The AU Review editorial, travel blog, local news, and YouTube walkthrough videos.
No on-site visit or staff interview was conducted; all claims are based on publicly available information as of 2025.
Snapshot of the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites
Prime Waterfront Location
- Classic oceanfront hotel on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina at the edge of Waikiki, a short stroll from both Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach (TripAdvisor)
Spacious Suites with Kitchens
- Suites come with fully equipped kitchens and private lanais (balconies), designed to feel more like apartments than standard hotel rooms (Official Site)
Multiple On-Site Amenities
- Property features two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, two restaurants, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, and a convenience store (Expedia)
Strong Guest Ratings Across OTAs
- Over 1,300 TripAdvisor reviews rated “Excellent” and over 1,100 “Very Good”; aggregated ratings around 8.0/10 on Hotels.com and 8.5/10 on Trip.com (Hotels.com)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Western end of Waikiki, on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina |
| Hotel type | High-rise hotel and condominium |
| Suites | Spacious with full kitchens and marina or ocean views |
| Pools | Two outdoor pools |
| Restaurants | 2 on-site restaurants plus multiple coffee shops/cafés |
| Spa | Full-service spa with massages, facials, and other treatments |
| Marketing tagline | “At the crossroads between Waikiki’s white sand beaches and Honolulu’s city life” |
| Room features | Suites with fully equipped kitchens and private lanais |
Who owns Ilikai Hotel?
The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is currently managed by Aqua-Aston Hospitality, a well-known Hawaii-based hotel management company. This management arrangement came into effect as part of the property’s recent reopening under new operational leadership. The official website and multiple OTA listings reflect this management structure.
Recent ownership change
In 2025, the hotel has been operating under this refreshed management team, though the specific ownership entity behind the property has not been publicly detailed in the sources reviewed. The building itself operates as both a hotel and a condominium, meaning some units are individually owned and managed separately from the hotel-run inventory. This dual structure means that not all guest rooms are identical — some units may have more modern furnishings than others, depending on the owner’s investment.
The bottom line: While the management arm is clear, the property’s condo-hotel hybrid means room condition can vary by unit, so checking recent guest photos on booking sites is a practical step before confirming a reservation.
Is the Ilikai hotel nice?
Aggregated guest feedback across multiple platforms suggests the Ilikai delivers a generally positive experience, particularly for travelers who value space, views, and a quieter location. On Hotels.com, the property earns approximately 8.0 out of 10, categorized as “Very good,” while Trip.com users rate it 8.5 out of 10 based on 116 verified reviews. TripAdvisor shows over 1,300 “Excellent” ratings and over 1,100 “Very Good” as of April 2025.
Guest reviews overview
Across multiple OTAs, reviewers consistently highlight the Ilikai’s spacious suites, panoramic ocean and marina views, and friendly, attentive staff. One repeat guest on Booking.com noted staying at the hotel seven times, describing the studios as comfortable, well-equipped, and with quiet, effective air conditioning (Booking.com). A TripAdvisor reviewer specifically praised the “helpful, kind staff, clean rooms, and comfortable feather beds” (TripAdvisor). The general pattern across reviews is that the staff are described as friendly, attentive, and quick to respond to requests.
However, the property is not without its critics. Some guests note that certain areas could use updates, and The AU Review points out a few specific downsides: each room has its own unique internet login that does not carry into common areas, and storage space is relatively limited, which may affect guests on longer stays or those traveling with heavy luggage (The AU Review).
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious suites with full kitchens and private lanais | Some units feel dated; decor varies by owner |
| Panoramic sunset ocean and marina views | Separate Wi‑Fi login per room; doesn’t follow you to common areas |
| Quieter location at the edge of Waikiki, “without the crowd” | Limited storage space in some room types |
| Friendly and attentive staff consistently praised | Some guests note the property could use updates |
| Two outdoor pools and full-service spa on-site | Standard resort fees and Honolulu-level pricing |
What is at the top of the Ilikai hotel?
The top floor of the Ilikai Hotel houses Empire Steak House Hawaii, a full-service restaurant and lounge. This dining venue offers diners panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Waikiki, and Honolulu’s south shore skyline. Multiple sources, including the official website, position this as a key feature of the property, giving guests a premium dining experience without needing to leave the building.
Empire Steak House Hawaii
Empire Steak House is a top-floor restaurant that serves steak and American cuisine, and it has been mentioned in guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Expedia as a dining highlight. The restaurant’s location at the top of the Ilikai makes it a destination for both hotel guests and outside visitors seeking a meal with a view. Because the Ilikai sits at the western edge of Waikiki, the sunset views from this restaurant are particularly notable, looking out over the Ala Wai Boat Harbor and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon area.
Beyond the steak house, the hotel also has a second on-site restaurant serving American cuisine, plus multiple coffee shops and cafés on the ground floor. One TripAdvisor reviewer specifically noted a coffee shop known for breakfast croissant sandwiches and an ice cream shop serving Kona ice cream.
“The Ilikai offers Waikiki without the crowd — spacious rooms, full kitchens, balconies with ocean views, and the freedom to self-cater instead of relying completely on restaurant dining.”
— The AU Review
Why is the Ilikai hotel famous?
The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is recognized as a landmark oceanfront high-rise hotel in Waikiki. Its fame stems from its distinctive architecture, its location at the intersection of Waikiki’s beachfront and Honolulu’s urban core, and its role as one of the earlier high-rise hotels developed in the area. The property’s official marketing positions it as being “at the crossroads between Waikiki’s white sand beaches and Honolulu’s city life.”
Landmark status
The Ilikai is widely referenced as a classic oceanfront hotel on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina at the edge of Waikiki. Travel bloggers and editorial reviewers frequently mention its role in shaping the Waikiki skyline. Fancy Nanc-ista, a travel blogger who provided a detailed suite tour, describes the hotel as “a great alternative to an Airbnb” due to its spacious rooms, full kitchens, and balconies with ocean views, while still retaining hotel services (Fancy Nanc-ista). For those seeking a similar experience in Finland, you can explore Levi hotellit parhaat hotellit.
The hotel’s location is a key part of its identity. Sitting at the edge of Waikiki, it is a short stroll to both Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach. The AU Review characterizes this as the Ilikai offering “Waikiki without the crowd,” a phrase that appears frequently in editorial and guest descriptions. This quieter position is seen as a benefit for travelers who want easy access to the main Waikiki attractions but prefer a less frenetic base.
Pricing band and what to expect
Based on OTAs like Expedia and Hotels.com, guests should expect standard resort-style fees and typical Honolulu hotel pricing for an oceanfront suite property of this class. Exact nightly rates fluctuate significantly by season, room category, and occupancy. No specific nightly rates appear in the verified facts or research notes, so exact pricing should be confirmed directly on booking sites at the time of reservation.
Travelers evaluating the Ilikai’s value should consider the cost-saving potential of in-room kitchens. As The AU Review points out, the fully equipped kitchens give guests the freedom to self-cater, which can significantly reduce dining costs over the course of a stay, especially for families or longer visits. This makes the property competitive with vacation rentals while offering the convenience of hotel services like housekeeping, a front desk, and on-site amenities.
Location and getting there
The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is situated on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina at the western end of Waikiki. It is described as a short stroll from both Ala Moana Center — one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the world — and Waikiki Beach itself. This positioning places the hotel close enough to the main Waikiki attractions for convenience, while being far enough west to avoid the densest pedestrian traffic of central Kalakaua Avenue.
The Expedia listing identifies the property as also near Waikiki Beach Walk and Royal Hawaiian Center, giving guests access to a wide range of shopping and dining options within walking distance. The property’s official website emphasizes that it sits “at the crossroads between Waikiki’s white sand beaches and Honolulu’s city life,” reflecting its transitional location between the resort district and the more urban Ala Moana area.
“I love the Ilikai. The staff are so helpful and kind. The rooms are clean and the feather beds are so comfortable.”
— TripAdvisor guest review
Timeline of key events
The Ilikai’s recent history includes several notable milestones that shape what guests can expect today.
- 2023: The AU Review publishes an editorial describing the Ilikai as offering “Waikiki without the crowd,” reflecting its established reputation in the mid‑2020s.
- 2024: The official Ilikai website continues to market “relaxed elegance” with panoramic views, and guest reviews on the site maintain positive feedback about staff attentiveness.
- 2025: The hotel operates under new management (Aqua-Aston Hospitality) following a recent reopening. TripAdvisor, Hotels.com, Trip.com, and Booking.com all show active, current guest reviews through at least April 2025, indicating consistent operation and guest interest.
- 2025: A YouTube walkthrough from Motivated Travel presents a 4K tour of Ilikai’s public areas and rooms, reinforcing impressions of spacious layouts and marina/ocean views.
Alternatives to the Ilikai
For travelers considering other options in Waikiki, here are a few alternatives that offer different trade-offs:
| Hotel | Key difference from the Ilikai |
|---|---|
| Central Waikiki high-rise hotels (e.g., Hilton Hawaiian Village, Sheraton Waikiki) | Closer to the main Waikiki beachfront and nightlife; generally larger resort footprints but more crowded and louder |
| Boutique Waikiki hotels | Smaller, more intimate properties; usually lack full kitchens and may not offer the same suite-style space |
| Vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) in Waikiki | Similar kitchen and space features, but without hotel services like front desk, housekeeping, and on-site pools |
Travel bloggers and editorial reviewers consistently frame the Ilikai as filling a unique niche: it offers the space and self-catering flexibility of a vacation rental while maintaining the services of a full-service hotel. For families and longer-stay travelers who want a quieter base with kitchen access, this combination may be hard to match.
Our pick: Who the Ilikai is best for
Based on the aggregated review data and editorial analysis, the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is best suited for:
- Couples who value spacious suites, ocean views, and a quieter location away from the busiest parts of Waikiki.
- Families who want the convenience of fully equipped kitchens, larger living spaces, and access to multiple pools and on-site dining.
Our recommendation is grounded in the consistent pattern across TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and editorial reviews: guests who prioritize space, self-catering options, and a calmer atmosphere tend to rate the Ilikai highest. Travelers seeking a very modern, uniform room experience or proximity to the absolute center of Waikiki nightlife may prefer alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of Ilikai Hotel?
The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites is located at the western end of Waikiki, on the Ala Wai Yacht Marina, a short stroll from both Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach.
What amenities are available at the Ilikai Hotel?
The Ilikai Hotel features two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, two on-site restaurants, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, and a convenience store, allowing most daily needs to be met without leaving the property.
Does Ilikai Hotel have a pool?
Yes. The Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites has two outdoor pools, as confirmed by the Expedia listing and multiple guest reviews. This makes it a suitable option for families and travelers who want pool access without leaving the property.
Is there a restaurant at the top of Ilikai Hotel?
Yes. Empire Steak House Hawaii is located on the top floor of the Ilikai Hotel. It offers steak and American cuisine with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Waikiki, and the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. The official website and guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Expedia confirm this dining option.
Can I rent a condo at Ilikai Hotel?
Yes. The Ilikai operates as both a hotel and a condominium, meaning some units are individually owned and available for rent. The hotel-managed suites are available through standard booking channels, while privately owned condo units may be listed on vacation rental platforms. Reviews note that decor and furniture condition can vary between hotel-managed and individually owned units.
Sources cited
- Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites – Official Site (official property website)
- TripAdvisor – Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites (review platform)
- Expedia – Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites (travel booking site)
- Hotels.com – Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites (travel booking site)
- Booking.com – Ilikai Suites Reviews (travel booking site)
- Trip.com – Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites Reviews (travel booking site)
- The AU Review – Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites (editorial travel publication)
- Fancy Nanc-ista – Ilikai Hotel Review (travel blog)