Our Kama`aina Staycation at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel

Located in the heart of Waikiki, the 1000-room Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel offers both kama`aina and visitors an ideal setting for an enjoyable getaway.

Our family was fortunate to spend a weekend at this storied hotel, with its deep roots in Hawaiian history.  Once the site of the entrance to the Ainahau Estate, the home of Princess Victoria Kaiulani, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel offers panoramic views, nightly entertainment, fantastic dining options, and so much more.

Wall behind front desk filled with photos of Princess Kaiulani

After a pleasant check-in, during which time my lucky kids were greeted with candy lei, we made our way up into the Ainahau Tower to our Tower High Ocean View Double Bed Room.

Inside the guest room were two Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds, a mini fridge, a large screen TV, a coffee maker, and an in-room safe.

The room was small, yet cozy and comfortable. We even opted for a rollaway after a suggestion by the front desk employee.

2 double beds

TV, dresser, desk

Mini fridge, safe

Vanity

Shower

Shine by Sheraton amenities

The modern decor was complemented with peacock prints and wallpaper, and iridescent trim, reminiscent of a peacock's feathers, adorned the furniture.

Peacocks played a big role in Princess Kaiulani's life. She had an affinity for the peacocks that roamed Ainahau, and legend tells of how the peacocks screamed in sadness upon the tragic death of the Princess at just 23 years old.

We had a lovely view of the city, the ocean, and even the mountains from the lanai.

Lanai seating

Love when the sky is lit up in different colors

Mountains

One thing I immediately noticed upon entering the guest room was how there were enough towels for our family of 5.  All too often do I have to call housekeeping for more towels at other hotels, but not at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani!

We spent quite some time relaxing in the room, and the plush beds and pillows made it so easy to take fall asleep no matter the time of day or night!

With the exception of an occasional siren, we could not hear any street traffic noise, and the noise from other guests in neighboring rooms was very minimal.

I was actually quite surprised at how quiet the hotel was despite all the tourists and convention goers we saw.  The elevators were almost always packed with people, and guests filled the lobby and restaurants, but the pace seemed very relaxed.

Thankfully, the pool was not crowded at all.  While my kids and husband played in the 85,000 gallon salt water pool, I relaxed on a lounger beneath one of many huge umbrellas.  Soothing Hawaiian music delivered through speakers surrounding the pool lulled me into a nap!

Plenty of loungers and shade

Three times a day at the pool, guests are offered ice pops or fresh fruit.

A cool treat for kids!

Fresh Fruit

Prefer the beach instead?  Big Kahuna Beach Services provides beach chairs for use, and three times daily fresh fruit and water service is offered to guests in a designated spot on the beach as part of the daily resort fee.  I love that the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani takes care of its guests even at the beach!

Beach chairs

The beach is just a short walk from the hotel!

The beach is just a very short walk from the hotel, so you don't have to go very far to get some sand between your toes and bask in the sun or take a dip in the ocean.

Also nearby the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani are numerous shopping centers (right next door is the new International Market Place) and restaurants, but you don't even need to step foot off property to shop or dine.

The Collections of Waikiki Shops fronting the hotel offer everything from clothing, souvenirs, beach gear, artwork, and even ice cream!

Collections of Waikiki Shops

As for dining, Splash Bar & Bento offers poolside eats, and is the perfect spot to enjoy happy hour and live entertainment.

Grilled Pineapple Bacon Cheese Burger from Splash Bar & Bento

Pikake Terrace (pikake is peacock in Hawaiian) offers a bounty of options during the breakfast and dinner buffets.  

If you're seeking fun activities and entertainment, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has got you covered!

A variety of cultural activities are offered at the hotel, such as lei-making and koi feeding.  

Hungry koi!

For the ultimate experience in Pacific culture, the Te Moana Nui show will immerse guests in Polynesian tales through song and dance.

The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel also offers a fitness center, airport shuttle (charges apply), as well as a variety of amenities included with the daily resort fee, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, self-parking (the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is one of the few hotels in Waikiki that offers self-parking), and two bottles of water in room per day,

A very cool feature of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the water filling station, which delivers fresh, pure water from an artesian well.  Water was considered sacred and and a vital part of each community in ancient Hawaii.  As the Hawaiians shared their water with others during ancient times, so does the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani with all of its guests.

Fresh Hawaiian Well Water

I love the way the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani weaves Hawaiian history into so many facets of the property!

The cultural connection, along with the central location, dining and entertainment options, and plentiful services and amenities make the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani an ideal place to stay for both visitors and kama`aina (kama`aina get access to great deals!).

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel

120 Kaiulani Ave

Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-5811

Mahalo to the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for hosting our stay.  Gratuity was paid on my own.