Kaimana Beach Hotel

This hotel has new management and a new name as of Dec. 2020. We will be re-reviewing it as soon as we can.

This hotel consists of two buildings: an oceanfront high rise and their Diamond Head wing (3-story walk-up). Their oceanfront category rooms are extremely intimate with the beach—they look straight down onto the sand—and since the tallest room is nine stories up, you’ll never feel completely detached.

Rooms are clean and modern. The bathrooms have hand-held showerheads, which come in handy to clean your sandy feet because it’s on lovely Sans Souci Beach. The beach is the reason for the Real Gem rating. Though still expensive, you won’t get rooms like that for this price in more centrally located Waikiki resorts. And there’s the reason for the lower prices—it’s a fairly long walk to the heart of Waikiki, and many will opt to drive and pay to park. But you’re also away from the buzz of Waikiki. This is a smaller, quieter resort than others you’ll find on the beach. Rooms ending in -17 have wrap-around lanais and grand views of the entire Waikiki coastline. We’re told those book out for 4th of July and New Year’s fireworks shows. They have some (higher category) rooms with nice touches like an orchid with your turn-down service. The Diamond Head wing is less desirable (and has older room furnishings), but they do have kitchenettes. Many of the excellent staff have been around for years. The fitness room is small but has good equipment and is not included in your room rate. It’s $20 extra per day and by appointment only. Their Hau Tree Lanai restaurant is a great (though pricey) place to have your breakfast on the beach.

Rooms (202–440 sq. ft.) are $185–$470, Diamond Head wing rooms (330–550 sq. ft.) are $230–$390, suites (420–1,043 sq. ft.) are $600–$1,500. Most rooms are discounted.