Honolulu/Waikiki hotels
 

We are spending 3 nights in Honolulu before heading to Ko Olina. We will have a rental car. We want a 5 star hotel on the beach. What would be your recommendation in terms of location, room, service and amenities?
Thank you

The Moana or the Halekulani both would meet your needs.

Another recommendation for the Moana if you want to be smack in the middle of the beach, or the Halekulani, if you want to be away from the crowds and don't mind a narrower slice of beach.

Thanks for you help. I've been reading the reviews on both of them and they sound nice. Any thoughts on Kahala?

I was going to mention the Kahala until I looked at the Moana, which looks amazing.

We stayed at the Kahala last year. It's very quiet and peaceful, as it's away from Waikiki. Service is good, restaurants were good, and the grounds and beach are lovely.

It's very nice if you want to basically relax at the resort as it's a bit remote in a residential district.

I would recommend the Kahala if you want to avoid the hectic quality of Waikiki, but still be close enough to sightsee.

...sightsee with a car, that is. The Kahala is not walking distance to much other than the beautiful beach.

Kahala is not in central Waikiki. I really like to be where I can easily walk to everything... beach, restaurants, etc.

For "5-stars" and on the beach I believe the only choices in that category are Halekulani, Moana Surfrider, and the Royal Hawaiian, right?

I wouldn't choose the Kahala since your next destination is Ko Olina. For the first three days, I'd want to stay smack dab in the middle of Waikiki. Agree with Suze that your choices are the Halekulani, Moana and Royal Hawaiian.

Thank you. I think you're right about the Kahala. I'd rather be close to things. I'll check out the above three.

We stayed at The Kahala last July, and while it was fine for a night, I wouldn't recommend staying so far away from the center of Waikiki.