Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Hawaii (2023 Updated)

We absolutely loved our stay at the Shoreline!

The interior design is really beautiful and the rooms are great! Neon everywhere is eye candy to the already natural beauty of Waikiki. We enjoyed many of the amenities such as rooftop pool (with excellent views), fresh water + coffee + tea, snacks, free towel usage for the beach, and lobby events such as live music.

All of the staff, valet, and cleaning services were really helpful and kind.

Not to mention the location, wow. It’s perfect and absolutely close to everything. There are at least 2 local gay bars within just a blocks distance (yay)! The beach is just about two blocks of walking, there are many cute spots along the way and filled to the brim of restaurants, bars, shopping (local boutiques + larger malls), street performers. The location alone helps to you to take full advantage of your stay in the bustling city of Waikiki; hunting for that perfect balance between relaxation + running around.

Absolutely take advantage of Heavenly, the restaurant within the Shoreline, for healthy conscious food, smoothies, and to-die-for omelettes.

This place is a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Waikiki. Staying here you feel like you right in the middle of things. It’s a very short walk to the International Market Place, Royal Hawaiian, Top of Waikiki, and obviously the beach.

If you’re a couple looking for a nice and secure place to keep your things while spending most of the day out and about exploring this is the ideal spot for you. Street parking isn’t readily available but they do have a garage. We had a very good experience and they’ve got great backgrounds for those of looking for great photos.

The best things about this hotel are the location and Josh at reception.

The hotel is situated just off the main strip and a very short walk to the beach, shops and restaurants. The discount store Ross is across from it for a quick shop of some incredible bargains. The shuttle to Waikele premium outlets is steps away near the T Galleria. The best coffee in Waikiki is a 3 minute walk to the Island Vintage company. Try the Acai bowls and organic pesto chicken sandwich there too.

It’s in a great central location close to all retail, restaurants and the beach. Still moderately priced and good value considering it’s location. The staff, namely Josh and James, at the Front Desk are super hospitable and the Valet staff were always ready to help us with our car. Kudos to them for driving and parking skills because that driveway and alley way are really skinny!

The biggest change for us here was the new decor and branding. Super cute and super ‘Gram worthy if that’s what you’re looking for. So many cute things to take photos of from the lobby, to your hotel room and bathroom, and the rooftop pool. Note: the pool area is not a resort sized pool but great to lounge and lay out and definitely take cute backdrop photos. We spent most of our time at the beach so the pool size wasn’t a huge deal. Their #naturemeetsneon hashtag perfectly coins their brand. There were times though that I walked into the lobby at night and had to squint a little and also wondered how the front desk staff could look at that all night because it was a bit too neon at night. But during the day, it’s the most colorful lobby you’ll find in Waikiki!

I love all the amenities and activities they offer their guests. From the welcome snacks in your room, to the paint night, and the shave ice and snacks during the week, they make sure their guests feel the love.

Island Vintage Coffee, Starbucks, International Marketplace, and Marukame Udon are a short walk away and Iyasume Musubi is next door for quick snacks perfect for beaching. Everything you wanted to shop for is available close by, from high end to Ross which I might add had great souvenirs you can shop for, and has anything you need that you might have forgotten at home.

How much does a room costs at Shoreline Hotel Waikiki?

Prices start 139$/night for One Queen Bed – Newly Refreshed. The  One King Bed- Newly Refreshed is  156$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room features a balcony, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk, and an private bathroom with marble counter tops and a spacious shower.

Where to book online – Shoreline Hotel Waikiki – Gay Friendly Hotels Hawaii HI – you can find the best hotels deals in Honolulu during Honolulu Pride which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in  Honolulu HI on  Booking.com or Hotels.com or Agoda.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Pros:
Tower 1 (beach side room 1501) had amazing views to beach and pool.
Across the road from the beach.
Room was clean, spacious.
Daily clean.
Amazingly comfortable bed and pillows.
Pool was great to have but had many cons.
Fabulous to have a water fountain to fill your bottle up continuously.
Hotel gives you water pouches.
ABC store in the Hotel.
Superb location.
Well equipped gym.
The bathroom has a bidet.
Decor is light and tasteful.

The hotel is in the perfect location and was worth every penny. The pool deck is amazing – although the beach is right there, the pool area is perfect for sunset and relaxing after a long day of adventures! I highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Waikiki area.

This hotel is right across the street from Waikiki beach, and away from the busiest part of Kalakaua ave. The Momosan restaurant downstairs was some of the best food we have ever had(and I’m a true foodie-:). The staff and concierge went above and beyond and I could tell this was the true culture of the hotel. If you are looking for a hotel that embodies the spirit of the Islands, class, beauty and style, this is the best of the best.

The room was clean, bed was super comfy, and the view from the balcony was to die for (35 floor with a view of the city and beach). The staff was great. We had everything we needed. Rooms were cleaned regularly. I cannot speak much for the hotel amenities – I used the infinity pool once. The Oceanarium in the lobby was really neat to see. The location of the hotel is fantastic – it is steps from the beach and is right on Kalakaua Ave. I ate once at Morimoto (second floor of the hotel). I sat on the patio that is overlooking Waikiki beach. I only sampled a few items from the menu and found to be fairly tasty. Parking is expensive (40 usd per day).

I found parking close by for much cheaper – for those of you searching for a place to park your car. The Honolulu Zoo does not allow for overnight parking anymore (4 hours max). You can park at the Waikiki Banyan (very close to the hotel -approx. 2-3 min walk) 80 usd for a week with in and out privileges.

This is a beautifully appointed hotel that is just across from Waikiki beach. The public areas arwed quite nice and the pool area is beautiful. There’s a bar, hot tub, pool and lap pool. The constant breeze/trade wind is great – and can get a bit chilly at night if you’re wet from the pool. The hotel is easy walking distance from many restaurants and shops for any need. Our room was on the 29th floor with a view of the beach and Waikiki/Honolulu. Lots of rainbows when it rained. The room was spacious had a frig, safe and a balcony.

How much does a room costs at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach?

Prices start 345$/night for Room, 1 King Bed, Partial Ocean View.

Where to book online – Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach – Gay Friendly Hotels Honolulu Hawaii – you can find the best hotels deals in Honolulu during Honolulu Pride which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in  Honolulu HI on  Trip.com or Hotels.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

My boyfriend and I just got back from spending six nights (March 19-24) at Ho’oilo House (HH) and we were extremely pleased with everything.

The location is great. HH sits in the hills above Lahaina in a new residential development. There is very little traffic in this development and there are speed bumps located throughout. HH is set back far from the road and is accessed by a long private driveway. This means that HH is very quiet and peaceful. Like HH, all the houses in the development are beautifully landscaped and have views of both the mountains behind the development and the ocean in front. Although you are closest to Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua in terms of driving distance, Wailea, Kihei and other places to the east and south are not prohibitively far.

The common room is breathtaking. It is decorated with Balinese furniture and is open on three sides. Breakfast is served here and you can eat inside or at small tables set around the pool outside. The 6 guestrooms are located off of two small hallways leading out from the common room. Each of these hallways is lined on both sides with small Japanese gardens and koi ponds.

We stayed in the room called “Kipuka”. You enter the room through small Balinese inspired wooden double-doors. Before entering, a sign asks you to take off your shoes. If you heed this request, you will be rewarded with the feel of your bare feet on the softest, most plush, carpeting you have ever felt. Inside, there is a large king bed set on a low wooden platform with top rate linens. There is a private lanai that looks out onto the nicely landscaped backyard (I read here every morning). The room is air conditioned but there is also a ceiling fan. TV/VCR combo too.

The highlight of the room is clearly the bathroom and the outdoor shower. The bathroom floor and bathtub are marble. The oversized sink appears to be made from a blend of marble, coral and sea shells and is very unique and beautiful. The outdoor shower is really a room unto itself; I’m not sure of the exact dimensions, but it must be 4×8 feet at least. You access it through sliding glass doors from the bathroom. Its floor consists of soft pebbles but there is a wooden platform underneath the water spout for you to stand on. The water comes out of a sculpture set into the 6 foot high walls that surround the shower. What makes the shower so great is that you can see the mountains and the ocean, and feel the wonderful Hawaii weather, while performing what is usually a mundane activity. There is a roof over the shower area so you can shower even in the rain; also, since the weather in Maui is always warm, being cold in the shower is not an issue.

HH serves a nice continental breakfast every morning. Great coffee, fruit salad, muffins, etc. The best part of breakfast is a granola made with coconut, dried fruits, and macadamia nuts that HH gets from an organic market in the nearby town of Paia.

The owners, Dan and Amy, are wonderful and friendly hosts. They are glad to help you plan activities and make recommendations if you ask. If you are a gay couple (like my boyfriend and I) you will feel welcome here.

One last point. I would recommend staying here over one of the resorts on Kaanapali, Kapalua or Wailea (several of which I have stayed at before). Many of those resorts are beautiful and have great amenities and convenience (huge pools, spas, restaurants, beach access). However, you pay an arm and a leg for a tiny cookie-cutter room, you have to endure throngs of kids and families fighting for space at the pool everyday, you have to put up with the noise even when you’re in your room, and you tend to get stuck at your particular resort without exploring all that the island has to offer.

HH is 100% quiet and unique. The rooms are about half the price of what you pay at the Four Seasons, etc., and are much nicer. At HH, you feel like you’re staying at a rich friend’s Maui home.

Staying at HH also forces you to get out (since there is no on-site restaurant) and explore the island. Although this was my 4th trip to Maui, I had never before seen places like Paia, Makawao, Wailuku, and Makena, because I was “stuck” at the particular resort where I stayed. It’s fun to try a different beach everyday rather than just hanging out by the resort pool or Kaanapali/Wailea everyday. It’s also fun to try different restaurants for lunch and dinner rather than the handful of overpriced restaurants available at most resorts.

How much does a room costs at Ho’oilo House ?

Prices start 300$/night for Queen Room with Sea View Kohola. The Queen Room with Sea View Nalu is  305$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room offers a private lanai with ocean views, a flat-screen TV, and a refrigerator. The bathroom floor is Toba marble floor, as well as the custom one-piece seashell stone bathtub with matching vanity and sink. The vanity is iron with a high gloss mahogany top and a glass sink. The bathroom also includes a mahogany linen cabinet with batik laminate. The bathroom includes a private outdoor shower with Ivory Stone walls and a bamboo shower head.

Where to book online – Ho’oilo House – Gay Friendly Hotels Hawaii Honolulu – you can find the best hotels deals in Honolulu during Honolulu Pride which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in  Honolulu HI on  Booking.com or Hotels.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

he Halekulani is located right in the heart of Waikiki on the beach – it is a block from Lewers street, if you walk two blocks down Lewers you find yourself at Tiffany & Company (the heart of Waikiki shopping). More practically, it is one block from an ABC store with an expansive deli, a gelato shop, Hawaiian Cookie Company, and a Starbucks. Longs Drugs is also very close by.

Our room was great – 6th floor, partial ocean view. At the Halekulani, partial ocean view means you get a great view of the ocean from the balcony not the room. But it is a fabulous view of the beach and ocean, not the tops of trees like in other places we have stayed. The room was spacious, well maintained, and had a great bathroom.

The staff was to a person, very friendly and helpful. When they noticed we drank a lot of the complementary bottled water, they stocked our room with extra bottles. The fridge was for our use, not some minibar with ridiculous prices. Housekeeping did a very thorough job cleaning our room.

We did not use the gym – we are both runners and found an amazing running route – start at the Army museum just 1 block from the hotel, run along the beach walk past the Hilton lagoon, then enter the Ala Moana park. Inside the park, 1.7 miles from the Halekulani front drive, is a 0.6 well marked loop that includes the waterfront part of the park – you can do as many loops as you want before returning back to the hotel. The scenery is gorgeous, if you go early in the morning, you can watch the sunrise along with the many surfers.

The large pool was beautiful. There are many lounge chairs around the pool and on the lawn between the hotel and the pool. Unlike other places that sometimes puts you on a waiting list, we had no problem getting choice spots and the majority of the chairs remained empty. The hotel was sold out during President’s Day week, so I assume most of the guests had tours or other Hawaii adventures to do. I found myself being the only person in the pool much of the time. The only negative thing I have to say in this whole review was the lack of a jacuzzi/hot tub. Not much to say, the front desk staff says it was a common comment. It seems like there was plenty of space to put it in the middle of all the chairs.

You can exit the hotel grounds and go down to Waikiki beach, although the sandy area directly in front of the hotel is pretty small so most people walked either direction for more sandy areas.

The House without a Key buffet breakfast daily was fabulous, and I would encourage people to consider packages including this $93 daily value (for two people). Both American and Japanese dishes were found in addition to the great fruit. They did rotate several of the dishes during the week. You can always count on the omelette bar, waffles, rice, bacon, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, cereal but also find a wide variety of rotating foods like sausages, egg dishes, etc. Guests also can eat at Orchids and pick a complete breakfast if they prefer traditional service.

Of course a stay at the Halekulani wouldn’t be complete without a Sunday Brunch at Orchids! After hiking up Diamond head, we enjoyed views of it from our table at the Orchids brunch.

I can only say the Halekulani provided a perfect place to enjoy Waikiki!

How much does a room costs at Halekulani ?

Prices start 500$/night for Garden Courtyard Room. The Diamond Head Suite King is  2000$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

Featuring almost 900 sq ft of living space, this luxury suite offers a private lanai with outdoor furniture with Diamond Head views, a separate living room area with an entertainment center with a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a wet bar, a walk-in closet, free WiFi, and two private bathrooms. One bathroom offer a shower, and a separate soaking tub.

Where to book online – Halekulani – Gay Friendly Hotels Hawaii Honolulu – you can find the best hotels deals in Honolulu during Honolulu Pride which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in  Honolulu HI on  Booking.com or Hotels.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.