The Hyatt Regency Waikiki is one of three Hyatt-branded hotels in the Waikiki area. Just steps from the beach, this high-rise hotel features 1,230 rooms divided into two towers.

What is actually is: A decent 3.5 star hotel in Waikiki.

What it is not: Unique, as it fits the style of many of the hotels located in the Waikiki area and some rooms really need a renovation.

Time of year: Fall

Room Type: King Bed Ocean Front View Jr. Suite

Scores:

Hotel Design: 74 – The hotel’s ground floor is dedicated to commercial shops, and the lobby is located on the second floor. Most of the common hotel amenities are on the second floor, positioned below and between the two towers. Like other hotels in Waikiki, the pool and pool deck are very small for the number of rooms. The club lounge and one of the restaurants are located on the third floor and feature an outdoor space.

Location: 85 – You can’t get more central in Waikiki. You’re just steps from the beach, shops, and all the hustle and bustle.

Sleep: 80 – The bedding was above average, and there was decent soundproofing between rooms. Lower-floor rooms are more susceptible to street noise, but this is to be expected in this location.

Service: 74 – The service is what you would expect from this type of hotel. However, we have experienced a degradation in service; for example, the pre-arrival letter now includes many provisions about room upgrades and early/late check-ins due to increased hotel occupancy. Hyatt Globalist members do get a personalized email and message from the general manager. Random charges seem to appear on your bill/credit card: parking and/or towels because the machine didn’t read the RFID correctly.

Room Design: 88 – Single bed or double bed rooms had lots of unused space before being renovated into junior suites. Now, these re-configured rooms offer a more compact footprint with efficiently compartmentalized space and a modern aesthetic. An entertainment unit serves as a room divider, featuring a swivel TV that turns toward the living room or the bedroom. The living area has a pull out couch, an ottoman, 2 chairs and a table. The bathroom is still on the smaller side and appears to have been partially renovated with the old bathtub re-coated and the door painted instead of replaced. The new tile work does look nice and makes it look refreshed. Some of private balconies (lanais) offer great views of either the ocean or the mountains, or both.

Room Amenities: 75 – Room amenities include a private balcony, a 65” smart TV with Chromecast streaming, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an in-room safe, a Toto Washlet, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, dental kit, robes, slippers, a Nespresso coffee machine, an electric tea kettle, and a mini-fridge. Bathrooms have a tub shower combo, Nā Hoʻōla Spa Coco Mango toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, and body wash) provided in eco-friendly large bottles.

Hotel Amenities: 75 – The hotel has a small pool and pool deck, a small gym, and a Regency Club Lounge. There are also a couple of restaurants and bars. Some activities are included as part of the resort fee. The gym does have 3 Peloton bikes where you can earn points for workouts.

Vibe: 70 – An eclectic mix of people of all ages and walks of life spending time in Waikiki.

Cleanliness/Maintenance: 80 – Given the age and size of the hotel, some parts are in decent condition as an ocean front property.

Value / Extras & Perks: 78 – It is possible to find reasonable rates at this hotel, but the $52 resort fee plus the $65 self-parking rates add up quickly. The resort fee includes some items of value, but not enough to justify the high cost. The Regency Lounge offerings have also become much more limited in recent years but are still good quality (some of the breakfast food is the same as at Shor, the hotel restaurant). On two of our recent visits, the lounge has been closed but this may be out of the hotel’s control.

OVERALL: 77.9

Would we stay again? Yes! Because it is a nice place with decent service perks, and a good location, despite its flaws.