Top 10 Hotels in Honolulu Hawaii for Cruise Passengers

Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations for a Pacific Ocean cruise. Exploring the coral reefs and tropical islands is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing vacation.

There are 137 volcanic islands and many are uninhabited. The third largest is O’ahu. It’s where you’ll find Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii. Honolulu has two cruise ship terminals (Port of Honolulu Pier 2 and Aloha Tower Cruise Terminal Pier 11). Most ships dock at Pier 2.

Honolulu is one of the best places to stay for an additional vacation, either before or after your cruise. Downtown is the city’s business hub and includes just one hotel, the Aston.

Many luxury hotels are located three miles away, near the famous Waikiki Beach. It’s a busy tourist area with exclusive stores and restaurants. Diamond Head, eighteen miles to the east, is much quieter and includes top luxury hotels surrounded by Honolulu’s natural landscape.

So, let’s take a look at the 10 best hotels and resorts for boarding a cruise ship in Honolulu Hawaii.

What are the Best Hotels near Honolulu Cruise Port Terminal?

1. Halekulani ★★★★★ (Top Hotel)

A prime location overlooking Waikiki Beach adds the finishing touch to this luxury hotel. Nearby is Kalakaua Avenue with designer boutiques. Within a ten-minute drive is the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The Honolulu cruise port is three miles along the coast.

The 453-room Halekulani has welcomed guests since 1917. Now you can enjoy elegant, spacious rooms including top Premier suites and luxury guest rooms. They feature private balconies where you’ll be amazed at the panoramic views of Diamond Head. There’s also a pool.

2. The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki ★★★★★ (Pink Palace)

Everyone loves to stay at the ‘Pink Palace of the Pacific’. Its ornate, pink exterior, with balconies and tower, has delighted guests since 1927. The Royal Hawaiian resort is located in Kalakaua Avenue where it overlooks Waikiki Beach.

It’s ideal for restaurants, boutiques and bars. The interior overflows with five-star luxury. Spacious lounges have archways and chandeliers. 528 rooms combine luxury, traditional charm and fabulous garden or ocean views. There’s an outdoor pool. It’s an eleven-minute drive to the Honolulu cruise terminal.

3. Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel ★★★★ (Close to Port)

Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel is a 41-story establishment, and one of the best places to stay if you want to be near the Honolulu cruise port. You can walk there in under fifteen minutes or drive in just three. The hotel is also close to theaters, art galleries and restaurants. The Aston is the only property in downtown Honolulu for travelers.

Top accommodation includes luxury rooms and large well-appointed one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchenettes. You can enjoy views of the Pacific or nearby mountains. Adults and children have separate pools. There’s on-site parking.

4. Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach ★★★★ (Moderate)

The family-friendly, three-star Hilton has 623 rooms. Many offer amazing city or ocean views. You’ll find much of the accommodation spacious with an additional lounge area and private balcony. Amenities include communal lounges, a heated rooftop pool, and informal, well-stocked cafeterias.

It’s the best location for top attractions such as the Ala Wai Golf Course, the Hawaiian Aquarium and shopping centers. Waikiki and Kuhio beaches are a couple of blocks away. It’s a ten-minute drive to the Honolulu cruise ship port.

5. OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel ★★★★ (Popular)

Eleven minutes by car from the terminal leads to this luxury and popular four-star hotel. You can enjoy great views from the twenty-five-story establishment. Although it’s located a block from the beachfront, it overlooks Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head Mountain.

All the large guest rooms are family-friendly, modern and bright and include balconies. An outdoor swimming pool has a spacious sun terrace. The Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger hotel is next to the International Market Place where there are high-quality stores.

6. Oasis Waikiki ★★★ (Affordable)

You’ll adore this affordable, boutique hotel in Honolulu Hawaii! It has an abundance of charm. The ninety-six rooms at the Aqua Oasis are spacious, but cozy. They are amazingly well-appointed with a luxury decor and accessories. You can even sit and relax on the balcony while admiring city views.

There’s an outdoor pool, but the best feature must be the hotel’s beautiful Japanese garden and ornamental pond filled with koi carp. It’s a top location for restaurants and shopping centers. Waikiki Beach is only 500 yards away. The cruise ship terminal is ten minutes by car or thirty-five by public transport.

7. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach ★★★★ (Beachfront)

The ‘First Lady of Waikiki’ was built in 1901. It’s the top place to stay in Hawaii if you love vintage property with traditional charm. Victorian architecture includes pillars, archways and exterior verandahs.

Inside, you’ll find ornate staircases, spacious lounges and elegant dining areas on the covered terrace. The large rooms have balconies plus city or beachfront views. The location’s ideal for restaurants and stores. Travel by car to the cruise ship port in around eleven minutes.

8. Prince Waikiki ★★★★ (Top)

This luxury property gives you an alternative location in Hawaii. It’s to the east of Waikiki and overlooks the delightful marina of Ala Wai Harbor. Nearby beaches include Kahanamoku and Ala Moana. Attractions include a golf course, army museum and shopping centers.

The luxury, multistory property has 528 large, family-friendly rooms. They are well-appointed with comfortable seating and coastal views. You can dine outside and watch amazing evening sunsets. The cruise port terminal is 4.5 miles away which takes almost fifteen minutes by car.

9. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head ★★★★ (Diamond Head)

There’s five-star luxury waiting at this elegant boutique hotel. This property has one of the best locations in Hawaii, between the Kaimana Beach, the Queen Kapi’olani Park and the Diamond Head volcanic crater. It’s perfect for a relaxing vacation. You can even bring the family pet along.

Lotus Honolulu offers fifty-one spacious rooms are modern and comfortable. You can enjoy magnificent views from the large balcony outside the room. The cruise ship terminal is 5.5 miles away, meaning a car journey of around eighteen minutes.

10. Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel ★★★ (Affordable)

This affordable boutique hotel has great charm. Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel resembles an octagonal tower and features an open air lobby. 104 stylish guest rooms are comfortably furnished and include balconies with amazing views of Waikiki Beach. Families are very welcome.

The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but many local attractions are within easy walking distance. The nearby Queen’s Surf Beach is one of the best places in Hawaii for surfing and snorkeling. It’s a little over four miles to the Honolulu cruise ship terminal.

What is the Best Hotel Away From the Chaos of Waikiki?

11. The Kahala Hotel and Resort ★★★★★ (Private Beach)

You’ll experience five-star luxury at this stylish hotel. It’s a perfect choice if you long to be away from the main tourist center of Waikiki. The resort is surrounded by tropical gardens and leads onto its own private beach at Kahala.

There’s also a lagoon with dolphins and memorable views of the Ko’olau Mountains. 338 spacious rooms are very elegant and many have balconies. There’s a journey of 7.5 miles to the cruise port. The hotel provides a free shuttle to Ala Moana Shopping Center as well.

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(Latest update December 22nd, 2023)
Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

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