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Hyatt Regency Waikiki Review

Today, we will do a Hyatt Regency Waikiki Review. As a Hawaii Travel Agent, I send a lot of clients here but was able to stay myself recently and am excited to share my experience. 

Just to avoid confusion, there are two Hyatt Regency resorts in Hawaii. This one, and the Hyatt Regency Maui. Check out my full review of the Hyatt Regency Maui if that’s the one you’re looking for. 

If you don’t have a rental car yet, I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. This is my go-to for rental cars on all the Hawaii islands. You don’t need a rental car on Oahu, but I recommend having one if you want to explore the island. 

If you prefer video format, check out our Hyatt Regency Waikiki Review and Tour video on YouTube. 

Overview of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Hyatt Regency Waikiki is located in the heart of Waikiki, just across the street from the famous Waikiki Beach. The large property has 1,230 rooms located in two large towers – The Ewa Tower and the Diamond Tower. If you want great views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, or the ocean, you can get it all here.

Location: Waikiki, directly across from Waikiki Beach

Accolades: 

2023 Travelers’ Choice, TripAdvisor

2023 Most Scenic View Restaurants, OpenTable Diners’ Choice

2023 Top 10 Best Luxury Resort, Hawaii Magazine Readers’ Choice Award

Price: Mid-range for Waikiki, which is quite a bit less than the other three main islands. Rooms start around $275/night and go up depending on the time of year. 

Who it’s for: Couples, families with four or fewer guests (there are suites, but not many,) and anyone who wants to be in the heart of Waikiki.

Worth mentioning: The great spa! 

Downsides: There is only one pool, and it’s small. But hey, you’re 30 steps from Waikiki Beach!

Location of Hyatt Regency Waikiki

While this resort has fantastic views, it’s across the street from the beach. It’s not a big deal to walk across, but it is not actually beachfront. It’s also directly across from the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue! However, I did want to note that it is not technically a beachfront resort. 

The two tallest towers are the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, with Ewa Tower on the left and Diamond Tower on the right. You can see how close it is to the beach!

You’re also close to shops, restaurants, the beach, and more at the convenient location in Waikiki. There are shops on the bottom two floors of the hotel, including two ABC stores. making it very convenient. 

Check out all of the Pualeilani Atrium Shops below (as of December 2023.) 

Check-in at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

We parked a car and came in from the valet dropoff area. This is on the ground floor, but you actually head to the second floor for check-in. During our time at the Regency, I did notice long lines a few times. I believe this is simply due to the size of the resort.

Rooms at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

The 1230 rooms at this resort each have their own private balcony. The rooms are the largest in Waikiki, starting at 400 square feet. Although the Hyatt Regency Waikiki has not been updated since 2015, it is far more updated than many other nearby hotels. 

The decor is beachy and inviting, and the beds are also very comfortable, which is not always the case in Waikiki. You can choose from Waikiki view, Diamond Head view, ocean view, and oceanfront room categories. 

One fun note I learned during my last trip is that some of the “Waikiki view rooms” may have a peekaboo ocean view. They do not sell them as oceanview rooms, but you may be in for a fun surprise! 

All rooms have refillable water bottles and filling stations on each floor. 

Resort Fees

I’ve noticed a lot of Hawaii hotel reviews complaining about resort fees. Love them or hate them (and we all hate them); they are pretty standard in Hawaii. The only properties that do not have them are either very, very expensive (think Four Seasons) or very cheap properties that you wouldn’t want to stay in.

The resort fee of $49/night includes (per the resort):

• Premium Wi-Fi in guest rooms and public areas
• Two re-useable souvenir Hyatt water bottles (with water stations located on each floor)
• One re-useable Hyatt Regency Waikiki tote bag
• Biki Bike bicycle ride-sharing service ($4 per person credit, two people maximum, one-time credit)
• Delicious frozen treats provided poolside
• Discounted surfing lessons and rental of beach equipment from Billabong
• Resort interactive cultural activities ( lei making, hula lessons, ukulele lessons)
• Stayfit gym access
• Gopro usage
• Use of beach amenities and chairs
• Use of beach toys for children
• Chromecast service for in-room television viewing
• House slippers and personal amenity items pre-set in guest rooms
• In-room coffee and tea
• Long-distance and international calls up to 60 minutes per day
• Unlimited local and 1-800 calls
• Sunrise Yoga Classes
• Self-guided local tours
• Gold Value Card (Exclusive discount card on shopping, restaurants, and local activities)

I will tell you that I didn’t use and wasn’t aware of most of these things, but the water bottles, filling stations, and cultural lessons were all very nice. I would have loved sunrise yoga had I known about it.

The pool at Hyatt Regency

It wouldn’t be a good Hyatt Regency Waikiki review if I only mentioned the best parts! This one may not be a dealbreaker, but there’s only one pool, and it’s small. While it’s in a great location (3rd floor, between the two towers), it’s often crowded.

Of course, you’re just steps from the beach. However, if a great pool is on your list of “must-haves,” this likely won’t cut it. it is a nice pool, and poolside treats are included in your stay, but it did get very crowded on most days. 

The Gym

We were only at this resort for two days, and I had an injury, so sadly, we did not get to use the gym. However, we did take a look, and it had a lot of nice equipment! Like the pool, it was a bit small for such a large resort and did seem to get crowded at certain times. However, it was a great gym, and I’d love to be able to try it out next time. 

Activities at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

One of the best parts about the Hyatt Regency Waikiki (that many guests might miss!) are the cultural activities at Ho’okela. My history-buff son really enjoyed learning about Hawaiian history and culture. He did several classes in one day!

There are classes and demonstrations daily. You can also go in and “talk story” any time!

Restaurants at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Since you’re in Waikiki, dining onsite is completely optional. There are plenty of great restaurants nearby. Check out The best restaurants in Waikiki to learn more! However, both restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki are worth a visit! 

SHOR

SHOR has prioritized incorporating fresh, locally sourced vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meats whenever possible. You’ll find plenty of local favorites at this surf-n-turf-themed restaurant.

SWIM

You can enjoy indoor/outdoor poolside dining at SWIM. The good is considered “seafood meats tropical market fare.” You’ll also find a great happy hour here as well as at SHOR with excellent cocktails. 

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Regency Club

Unlike the other Hyatts in Hawaii, the Hyatt Regency Club definitely caters to Asian travelers. This is great if you love Asian food and not-so-great if you don’t. Oahu has a lot more tourists from Japan and other parts of Asia, and you’ll also notice lots of signs in both Japanese and English.

Breakfast typically consists of fruit, meats and cheese, miso soup, and yogurt. You can also find juices, coffee, and a variety of milk (with dairy-free options available.)

The evening offers were pretty similar, except they had vegetables rather than fruit. There were also a few hot items, but most were not gluten-free. This was disappointing as I generally have good luck with gluten-free offerings at Regency or Grand Club at Hyatt Resorts. 

Beer, wine, and cocktails are available at a small cost. There are also soft drinks you can grab and take with you at any time. The food at the Regency Club was pretty good overall, and I think booking Club Level can add a lot of value, especially for a family. 

I loved the outdoor dining area, where you had great views of Waikiki Beach. 

The spa at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Na Ho‘ola Spa is a tranquil oasis that you might not expect in the middle of Waikiki. The spa offers massages, body packages, and packages for couples too. I loved talking to the staff about the name and history of the spa. I will copy an overview from their website below!

“Traditionally, ancient Hawaiians gave a name based upon their dreams or interpretations. Nā Ho’ōla, meaning “many healers,” was given to our spa by revered kūpuna (elder) and kumu (teacher) Aunty Malia Craver. Her vision of Nā Ho’ōla takes our guests on a journey to a land rich in history, culture, and healing.”

Make sure to check out the spa while you’re there; it’s a great way to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.

The service at Hyatt Regency Waikiki

In this Hyatt Regency Waikiki review, I want to share the positives and negatives. Generally speaking, the service was not bad by any means. 

I had one particularly bad encounter with someone working in the Regency Club. This is unlikely to apply to most people, so I won’t go into detail except to say there was a lot of miscommunication regarding my Regency Club Access. The attendant acted like I was a criminal trying to get in. Once the ordeal was over and she realized that I did, in fact, have access, she never apologized or otherwise spoke to me again. 

I am always very careful to be kind to staff as I know how difficult their jobs are, so this wasn’t a scenario where the customer was being ridiculous (hey, that happens a lot too!) All of that said, the front desk staff, valet, and almost everyone else I encountered were great. 

I also noted earlier that there were some longer lines at reception during different parts of the stay. I believe this is due to the size of the hotel. That isn’t really a negative, but something to keep in mind. 

Overall Review of Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Overall, this resort is one of the best places to stay in Waikiki, and all the upsides outweigh any minor issues. As a Hawaii Travel Agent, I have sent clients here for quite some time and will continue to do so. Although I did have one issue in the Regency Club, I’ve never had any clients encounter anything like that.

I would only avoid Hyatt Regency Waikiki if you’d like a larger pool. Otherwise, the price, proximity to the ocean, amenities, and overall atmosphere make this a great option!

More things to do in Waikiki and on Oahu

Here are even more things to do in Waikiki and things to do on Oahu during your vacation.

• 10 best things to do in Waikiki
• What is the best luau in Oahu in 2024?
• The 21 best beaches in Oahu
• The 17 best waterfalls in Oahu
• 25 things to do in Haleiwa
• The North Shore Beaches of Oahu
• The best shave ice in Oahu

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Review

Did this Hyatt Regency Waikiki review help you determine if this resort was right for you? I hope it did! If you’re planning an Oahu vacation or honeymoon, I’d love to help. 

I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. While I specialize in honeymoons and romantic travel, I am available for any Hawaii trip. I often work with groups and families, and destination weddings too! Reach out as soon as possible for the best availability, as I only take on a select number of monthly clients. You can contact me to learn more.

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Some images are my own. However, I was so busy capturing footage for the YouTube video, plus reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, that I didn’t get as many pictures as I’d like. Some images are courtesy of Hyatt Regency Waikiki and used with permission.