Waikiki is a neigherhood or district located within the city of Honolulu. Known in Hawaiian as “sprouting waters”, Waikiki was once the playground for Hawaiian royalty and today is a rich and complex blend of history, natural beauty and contemporary comforts. Home to world class hotels, dining and shopping, Waikiki offers visitors an exciting and vibrant hot spot perfect for a night on the town or a day at the beach visiting a Waikiki surf school. Waikiki also is home to one of Oahu's best know sites, Diamond Head crater.
With its calm waters, the beaches of Waikiki offer a great place for swimming as well as your very first surf lesson. Every room in Waikiki is within two to three blocks walking distance to the beach and Waikiki, like a tropical Manhattan is incredibly easy and best to explore by foot. There is a great variety of dining choices from inexpensive and ultra casual local lunch plates, exquisite oceanfront fine dining for romantic sunset dinners as well as fun, late-night eateries with great live local Hawaiian entertainment, pupus and cocktails. Have fun finding unique local arts and crafts through the many little shops scattered throughout the area or splurge and browse through the many luxury boutiques. Embrace the unique Hawaiian culture and feel the spirit of Aloha. Contact your concierge and find out the schedule for free hula, floral lei-making or ukulele lessons at your hotel or at one of the shopping
The Waikiki skyline is now dotted with an abundance of both high-rises and resort hotels. The beach is actually fairly short, with half of it marked off for surfers. For some distance into the ocean the water is quite shallow, although there are numerous rocks on the bottom. As with most ocean beaches the waves can have some force, particularly on windy days. The surf at Waikiki is known for its long rolling break, making it ideal for long boarding, tandem surfing and beginners
Places to visit in and around Waikiki
Diamond Head State Monument — is one of Oahu's most reconized landmarks. It is a 760 ft high volcanic crater. The crater gets it name from the volcanic crystals that 19th century sailors mistook as diamonds. The Hawaiian name is Lë‘ahi which means from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ‘ahi which means 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin.
Diamond Head is part of the complex of cones, vents, and their associated eruption flows that are collectively known to geologists as the Honolulu Volcanic Series, eruptions from the Ko‘olau Volcano that took place long after the volcano formed and had gone dormant. The Honolulu Volcanic Series is a series of volcanic eruption events that created many of O‘ahu's well-known landmarks, including Punchbowl Crater, Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, Manana Island and Diamond Head Crater. A steep .8-mile trail from the crater's interior to the summit rim affords a panoramic view of Waikiki. This walk includes a 99-step stairway and may be difficult for the physically impaired. Picnicking is allowed hike requires 2 hours at a mininum. Park is open daily 6am to 6pm.
Diamond Head Point — Is located at the base of Diamond Head on Pacific Ocean side of Diamond Head, this vista offers you panoramic elevated views of the Pacific Ocean. Most tourists will pull over, snap a few photos here and then continue on their way. The locals however come here to surf and Windsurf. The area is popular with joggers. Diamond head Point is not too far from Waikiki Beach.
If you want to visit or hang out at the beach, take the paved footpath down to the beach. You will have plenty of space to yourself as this beach is less known and tends to not be as crowded as Waikiki Beach.
Also located at Diamond Head Point is the Diamond Head Lighthouse. This historic lighthouse is built upon the steep coast cliff of the extinct Diamond Head Volcano. The original lighthouse was built in 1899 and the original fresnel lens is still in use today. The current structure was erected in 1917. Built of reinforced concrete, the 55-foot lighthouse stands 147 feet above sea level and projects its light 18 miles out into the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse is completely automated with a back-up battery in case of a power outage. The light keeper quarters were renovated and now serve as the residence of the 14th Coast Guard District Commander.
The fresnel lens atop the lighthouse has the intensity of 60,000 candlepower. The light shows a red sector to warn vessels away from the reefs of Waikiki Beach.
The International Market Place — has been an island tradition for many years. This is a open air shopping center with over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands. This open-air shopping center in located in the heart of Waikiki and remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir. Here you can find unique hand crafted souvenirs from local craftspeople.
Take time to talk story with the local craftspeople, and snap a photo by a cascading waterfall under a century-old banyan, original home of Donn the Beachcomber. The International Food Court offers a variety of local and international cuisine, plus free Hawaiian entertainment five nights a week. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 2330 Kalakaua Ave., next to Waikiki Town Center.
Kapi’olani Regional Park — is a 155 acre park located at the east end of Waikiki Beach. It is bordered by Kalakuka, Monsarrat and Paki Avenues. It is the largest and oldest public park in Hawai’i. The park was created in 1876 when the Kapi’olani Park Association leased the land from King Kalakaua for $1 per year. After the overthrow of the monarchy, the land was conveyed to the Republic of Hawai’i and is managed by the Honolulu Park Commission. Within the parks boundaries are recreational facilities, an outdoor bandstand and picinic facilities. The Royal Hawaiian Band performs on Sundays at 2pm at the bandstand or "Waikiki Shell". Also within the parks boundaries are; Honolulu Zoo, the Queen Kapi’ Gardens, a outdoor bandstand and the Waikiki Aquarium. The Park is open Daily from 6am to 10 pm.
Honolulu Zoo — The zoo is located within Kapi’olani Park at 151 Kapahulu Ave. The 42 acre Zoo is home to 1,000 animals representing 234 species. The zoo features a Afican Savanna where vistors can peer at the inhabitants through the foliage as if you were in the wild. Other zoo features include a children's environmental eduacation programs, a petting zoo campouts and twilight walks. The zoo is Open daily from 9am to 4pm except it is closed on Dec 25th.
Queen Kapi’olani Gardens — is located behind the Honolulu Zoo at Paki and Monsarrant aves within Kapi’olani Park. This garden which is named in honor of Hawaii's last Queen. The garden offers pathways where you can wind through varieties of Hisbicus and other flowering tropical plants. "Kahuna" stones guard the blossoms against pickers. The stones arrived from 14th century from Tahiti. They were a gift from Tahitian kahunas who in Hawaii and offered spirtiual healing to the Hawaiians. Hawaiian Legend says the kahunas left their spiritial healing powers within the stones. Open Daily, the cost is Free.
Waikiki Aquarium — is located at 2777 Kaläkaua Ave in Kapi’olani Park the aquarium was founded in 1904 and it exhibits more than 420 species of Pacific marine life including chambered nautiluses, giant clams, endanged Hawaiian monk seals, sharks and reef fish. Vistors may touch some of the sea creatures at a outdoor living coral reef display. The Aquarium also features a sea dragons display; which is a self-contained miniature coral reef and the Sea Visions Theatre, which presents films about marine life. Open Daily from 9am to 5pm except special hours on holidays and closed on Dec 25th.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel - "The Pink Palace" — Is located at 2259 Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was built in 1927, the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific," it ushered in a new era of luxurious resort travel to Hawaii. In it's heyday the hotel quickly became an icon of Hawaii's glory days. The hotel closed during the war to serve as the Hawaii residence or Western White House of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. The hotel also boasts the bar that invented the Shirley Temple cocktail.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel cost USD $4 million and took one and a half years to build. The six-story structure had 400 rooms and were of Spanish and Moorish styles popular during the 1920s. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel was influenced by Hollywood legend Rudolph Valentino and his Arabian movies. Cupolas were created to resemble Spanish mission-style bell towers. The pink color was taken from a popular American obsession of the era. The architects were Warren and Wetmore of New York City.
The hotel's public rooms, notably the Oceanside Lobby and Recreation Lounge, were redecorated in 1946 after the hotel re-open after the war, by Frances Elkins, the sister of architect. The hotel was closed again in June 2008 for a complete renovation. The refurbished property reopened this year as a member of The Luxury Collection division of Starwood Hotels
The Royal Hawaiian is located on one of the most coveted spots on Waikiki Beach - within the hotel grounds are lush gardens and billowing sanctuary of private beachfront cabanas at the Royal Beach Club. The Guest rooms showcasing unrivaled panoramic views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. You can also Shop at the Royal Hawaiian Center a upscale shopping center located directly in front of the hotel.
With its calm waters, the beaches of Waikiki offer a great place for swimming as well as your very first surf lesson. Every room in Waikiki is within two to three blocks walking distance to the beach and Waikiki, like a tropical Manhattan is incredibly easy and best to explore by foot. There is a great variety of dining choices from inexpensive and ultra casual local lunch plates, exquisite oceanfront fine dining for romantic sunset dinners as well as fun, late-night eateries with great live local Hawaiian entertainment, pupus and cocktails. Have fun finding unique local arts and crafts through the many little shops scattered throughout the area or splurge and browse through the many luxury boutiques. Embrace the unique Hawaiian culture and feel the spirit of Aloha. Contact your concierge and find out the schedule for free hula, floral lei-making or ukulele lessons at your hotel or at one of the shopping 
Diamond Head State Monument — is one of Oahu's most reconized landmarks. It is a 760 ft high volcanic crater. The crater gets it name from the volcanic crystals that 19th century sailors mistook as diamonds. The Hawaiian name is Lë‘ahi which means from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ‘ahi which means 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin.
Diamond Head Point — Is located at the base of Diamond Head on Pacific Ocean side of Diamond Head, this vista offers you panoramic elevated views of the Pacific Ocean. Most tourists will pull over, snap a few photos here and then continue on their way. The locals however come here to surf and Windsurf. The area is popular with joggers. Diamond head Point is not too far from Waikiki Beach.
If you want to visit or hang out at the beach, take the paved footpath down to the beach. You will have plenty of space to yourself as this beach is less known and tends to not be as crowded as Waikiki Beach. 
The International Market Place — has been an island tradition for many years. This is a open air shopping center with over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands. This open-air shopping center in located in the heart of Waikiki and remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir. Here you can find unique hand crafted souvenirs from local craftspeople.
Kapi’olani Regional Park — is a 155 acre park located at the east end of Waikiki Beach. It is bordered by Kalakuka, Monsarrat and Paki Avenues. It is the largest and oldest public park in Hawai’i. The park was created in 1876 when the Kapi’olani Park Association leased the land from King Kalakaua for $1 per year. After the overthrow of the monarchy, the land was conveyed to the Republic of Hawai’i and is managed by the Honolulu Park Commission. Within the parks boundaries are recreational facilities, an outdoor bandstand and picinic facilities. The Royal Hawaiian Band performs on Sundays at 2pm at the bandstand or "Waikiki Shell". Also within the parks boundaries are; Honolulu Zoo, the Queen Kapi’ Gardens, a outdoor bandstand and the Waikiki Aquarium. The Park is open Daily from 6am to 10 pm. 
Queen Kapi’olani Gardens — is located behind the Honolulu Zoo at Paki and Monsarrant aves within Kapi’olani Park. This garden which is named in honor of Hawaii's last Queen. The garden offers pathways where you can wind through varieties of Hisbicus and other flowering tropical plants. "Kahuna" stones guard the blossoms against pickers. The stones arrived from 14th century from Tahiti. They were a gift from Tahitian kahunas who in Hawaii and offered spirtiual healing to the Hawaiians. Hawaiian Legend says the kahunas left their spiritial healing powers within the stones. Open Daily, the cost is Free.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel - "The Pink Palace" — Is located at 2259 Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was built in 1927, the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific," it ushered in a new era of luxurious resort travel to Hawaii. In it's heyday the hotel quickly became an icon of Hawaii's glory days. The hotel closed during the war to serve as the Hawaii residence or Western White House of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. The hotel also boasts the bar that invented the Shirley Temple cocktail.
The hotel's public rooms, notably the Oceanside Lobby and Recreation Lounge, were redecorated in 1946 after the hotel re-open after the war, by Frances Elkins, the sister of architect. The hotel was closed again in June 2008 for a complete renovation. The refurbished property reopened this year as a member of The Luxury Collection division of Starwood Hotels