The hotel used to be part of the Ilikai Hotel next door. In 2010, it reopened as The Modern. In 2023, it became part of Hilton Grand Vacations. (Hopefully you’ve saved up some Hilton Honors points—it’s worth it to spend them here.)
They tout themselves as “luxurious, yet brilliantly laid-back,” and we agree. This is one of the few places where internet photos just don’t do it justice, and we’ve never said that before.
From the moment you enter, you immediately feel welcomed and relaxed. The color scheme is taupe and white mixed with dark browns and wood tones. The resort can be very busy, yet it never feels crowded because there are so many places to hang out. They have two pools and decks—one for families and one for adults only. The family saltwater pool has a lounging area poolside, and both pools have bars with poolside service for food and drinks. It’s not on the beach, but it embraces the Ala Wai Boat Harbor so well it seems almost part of it.
Extensive landscaping also helps keep the area from feeling stark and urban like many other Waikiki resorts. The music that plays throughout the resort is even piped underwater in the main pool. The adults-only pool on the upper deck is a dark blue, 8- to 12-inch-deep wading pool with some chairs in the water and fine white sand circling it. An abundance of large, cushy daybeds are scattered around to lie on. Reserve them in advance.
The rooms are very modern (hence the name) and white, which is a cleaner’s nightmare, but the room carpets were changed to a pale gray—much more practical, yet still in keeping with original design. So far they have maintained it very well. Most bathrooms have showers only—a few tubs available (so ask)—and we wish they had a hand-held option for the showerhead, which is mounted up pretty high (a problem if you have small children).
They bring in a variety of live music and mainland DJs for their nightclub venue, one of the more popular clubs in Waikiki. Their 9,200-sq.-ft. ballroom is impressive. Various specialty suites with large lanais can be used for weddings and special events. Someone even got married in the wading pool. There is yoga by the pool three times a week.
The staff is exceptional and welcoming. This is one of our new favorites in Waikiki, but it’s a pretty long walk to the center of Waikiki, so you’ll either want to hop a bus or drive. It’s also about a 10-minute walk to the beach along the shoreline.
Rooms are 340–390 sq. ft., suites are 373–1,383 sq. ft. Packages are available.
1775 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki