The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, a Historic Hotels Worldwide® member, boasts a rich history. Located in the heart of Waikiki, this iconic hotel strives to preserve its cultural heritage while providing a luxurious guest experience.
In 2015, the 17-story Mailani Tower debuted, seamlessly blending the hotel’s classic elegance with modern amenities for today’s traveler. The Royal Hawaiian continues to embrace its rich legacy as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.”
Before Waikiki became a tourist destination, it served as a favored residence and recreational center for Hawaiian royalty. King Kamehameha I once resided on the current site of The Royal Hawaiian, and Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace previously stood in the resort’s Coconut Grove.
Foreign visitors began frequenting Waikiki in the 1830s, and a roadway was constructed in the 1860s. Anticipating increased tourism, the Moana Hotel opened in 1901.
In 1907, the local government, under the name “Waikiki Reclamation Commission,” planned commercial and tourist development by widening streets, building bridges, and reclaiming duck ponds, rice paddies, and taro patches. This development further accelerated after World War I.
During the Charleston and Prohibition era, access to Hawaii was via the Matson steamship line, a less-than-glamorous mode of transportation for the elite. However, it became the gateway to exotic destinations in the South Pacific and the Orient.
On February 1, 1927, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel opened with a $4 million investment from the Matson Navigation Company, the brainchild of Ed Tenney and William Roth. The hotel was designed as a luxury resort for Matson’s steamship passengers.
Arthur Benaglia, the hotel’s first general manager, oversaw a staff of 300, including ten elevator operators and bellhops dressed in “Cathayan” attire. During the grand opening celebration, members of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra performed for over 1,200 guests. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin described the newly opened hotel as “America’s first resort hotel.”
Built on 15 acres of beachfront property, the luxurious hotel, with its distinctive Moorish architecture and pink exterior, was promoted worldwide as a premier travel destination. The grand opening festivities included dinner, dancing, concerts, and parades.
The golden age abruptly ended on the morning of December 7, 1941, as Japanese planes flew along Waikiki Beach en route to the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. The Navy leased The Royal Hawaiian, transforming the resort into a rest and recreation center for Navy personnel. The resort was restored to its pre-war splendor in 1947.
During the 1950s, more affordable hotels were built in the Waikiki area, including the SurfRider and Princess Kaiulani. As larger and faster airplanes shortened flight times from the mainland to Hawaii, fewer tourists wanted to spend 4.5 days on a Matson liner.
By 1959, jet service further reduced flight times, eroding the steamship business. That same year, after 32 years in the hotel business, the company sold its first four hotels (Moana, Royal, SurfRider, and Princess Kaiulani) to the Sheraton hotel chain for $17.6 million.
Today, The Royal Hawaiian continues to embrace its rich legacy and unique character, known worldwide as a premier romantic and luxurious destination. The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, remains a top choice for a Hawaiian getaway.
