Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel Review by UntoldMiles

Note: The information in this review is current as of my most recent stay in February of 2023. I was not paid nor compensated for this review. The information I share here is solely based on my personal experience. The photos below may contain photos that are owned by Hyatt and or the property.

Table of Contents:

Location

 

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki is located on the southeast side of the island of Oahu in the district of Waikiki. From the Honolulu (HNL) airport to the hotel, it is only about a 20 minute drive. It’s nestled in the district of Waikiki amongst many other hotels in the area.

Of the three Hyatt properties on Oahu, it’s the closest one to the beach. In fact, it’s located right across the street from the famous Waikiki Beach. The views from this property are incredible (more on that later).

In terms of shops and food, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki is centrally located in regards to a ton of shopping and great eats in Waikiki. You’re only a short walk from a variety of shops and restaurants.

About the Hyatt Regency Waikiki

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki towers over Waikiki with about 1,230 rooms and packed full with amenities to meet your each and every need. Whether you’re staying at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki with family, by yourself, or with a group for work, this property has it all.

In terms of amentias, you’ll find a few different dining options, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a very well equipped 24 hour fitness center, different types of shops, a spa, car rental office, and more.

Of the three Hyatt properties on the island of Oahu, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki is the one you’ll want to stay at for those special occasions, once in a life time trips, or even just to treat yourself.

In terms of points redemption, a standard room at this property will run about 20,000 World of Hyatt Points per night. This is a great redemption since a single night here can be about $350 or more per night depending on your dates.

Arrival and Parking

Navigating my way from the Honolulu airport to the Hyatt Regency Waikiki was straightforward. Pulling up to the Hyatt Regency Waikiki we noticed how busy it was, but that’s a given since this property caters to all types of travelers from all over the world. I’m sure President’s Day weekend and the Aloha Run also contributed to the volume of guests.

To get from the Honolulu (HNL) airport to the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, you have a few options: rental car, rideshare like Lyft or Uber, taxis, TheBus, and shuttles. Per the hotel, they have a recommended shuttle service, Speedishuttle (not affiliated nor sponsored), which has pretty reasonable prices ($19.50/one way/person) for the dates I searched. Prices may vary.

Tip: If you want to see how much a rideshare will cost, use the Lyft or Uber app and plan your trip from the airport to the hotel to see what the estimated cost is. You can see the estimated cost before you confirm and book a ride.

Photo by World of Hyatt

Whether you’re renting a car or taking a taxi or rideshare, you’ll pull up into the valet and bell desk as seen below. Here, you’ll be greeted by Hyatt employees or valet drivers who will help you unload your luggage. If you’re renting a car, you have two parking options. Self parking will cost you $50/night while valet parking will cost you $60/night. If you are a World of Hyatt Globalist and are redeeming points for a stay, you’ll get free valet parking for your stay. Just let them know once you pull up!

After exiting our car and getting help from the bellman, we got a claim ticket for our bags and headed off to the second floor to check in. More info on parking and transportation.

Checking-in and First Impressions

The check-in desk at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki is located on the second floor of the property. To access the check-in area, you can use the escalators to the left once you walk into the property from valet, walk up the stairs in the center of the property across from the waterfall, or access the elevator which is tucked away in the corner right by the waterfall.

Checking in was fairly simple, the Hyatt employee was able to pull up my reservation, verify my identity with my drivers license and confirm the card I’d like to have on file (my World of Hyatt card of course). The agent then went over my room type, check-in/check-out dates and time, as well as gave me a quick run down on the various amenities and services that I can find on-site. They also gave me instructions on how to get to my room and mentioned that I had access to the Regency Club due to being a World of Hyatt Globalist.

There is a separate check-in line for World of Hyatt elite members but it wasn’t busy when we arrived. There’s a very nice lanai (balcony) by the front desk if you want to check out the streets below!

Our Room - 2 Queen Beds with Ocean View, High Floor

Unfortunately, I was not given any suite upgrades due to the property being at capacity, even as a Globalist. However, I was given a nice standard ocean view room on the 25th floor. It’s a 435 sqft. room with two queen sized beds, a small table, connecting sink, and bathroom area. The view from this room was the best view out of all the three Hyatt properties in Oahu. Sure it wasn’t the view on the 40th floor but, it was breathtaking nonetheless.

Balcony View

From the video above, you can see that our ocean view room has a balcony that overlooks the iconic Waikiki Beach and the views are endless. From the balcony, you can see the hustle and bustle down below that Waikiki is known for.

Next, we’ll take a quick look at the room with the point of view from the entry door to the balcony.

Room Tour

Walking into the room, you’re immediately greeted with a clean and spacious room. Ours had two queen beds, a night stand, a few room lamps, desk, desk chair, dressers, a large TV, and it connects to the bathroom area. Under the TV is where you’ll find both a room safe and a cooler.

Note: The cooler is NOT a true mini fridge. If you want to store your foods longer than a few hours, you can request a true mini fridge from the front desk.

Bathroom

The bathroom area connects seamlessly from the main living/bedroom area. It comes with the standard amenities that you’d expect from a Hyatt which includes a dental kit that comes with a toothbrush and mini toothpaste, two glasses, soap, lotion, towels, and hairdryer. For such a huge property, the water temperature and water pressure was very nice. Unlike other properties I’ve been to, this Hyatt does not have a bidet.

Closet

Within the bathroom/sink area, you’ll find an open style closet with a few additional amenities such as room slippers, a full size ironing board, clothes iron, drying rack, hangers, additional pillow(s), and a free tote.

Regency Club

The Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki is located on the third floor and is complimentary for Globalist members. If you do not hold World of Hyatt Globalist status, you can reserve a room with club access during booking. This type of booking can be done with points or cash. The Regency Clubs are great for those that are traveling with 2+ people since your entire party can access the club and all the amenities inside.

For those that have access to the Regency Club, including Globalists, you’ll have your breakfast, afternoon snack, and light dinner here. Throughout your day, you’ll also have access to sodas, juices, waters, various caffeine drinks, alcohol, and more. Meals in the Regency Club are self serve and follow a strict schedule.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served from 6:00am to 10:00am and has quite the variety and caters to a wide variety of guests. For a light start, You’ll find a great selection of fresh fruit which include pineapple, strawberries, melons, papaya, and more.

In addition to your fruits, you’ll also find traditional breakfast items such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, and bacon.

Breakfast also includes a variety of baked goods, salmon (lox), breads, bagels, and accompanying toppings. There is also a toaster in this area for you to toast or warm up your baked good/breads.

A unique breakfast item you’ll find in Hawaii is miso soup and white rice.

Looking for another light alternative? You may also run into a salad with fixings plus hard boiled eggs during the mornings at the Regency Club.

Do you have kids or enjoy a nice bowl of cereal? Well you’ll find a good variety of breakfast cereals here.

Looking for your daily products or daily alternatives? By the baked goods, you’ll find a drink cooler with a variety of dairy, dairy alternatives, yogurt, and sodas that are available to you. The soft drinks are available all day during the Regency Club hours.

Afternoon Snack

Afternoon snacks are served from 10:30am to 4:00pm. You’ll find a few different types of snacks which include cookies, pineapple gummy candy, snack bars, crackers, fruit snacks, and chips. It’s self serve and you can take some for the road. By the front door you’ll also find some fresh fruit such as bananas, oranges, and apples.

In the photo, you’ll also find various drink options available to you during normal Regency Club hours. These drinks include a coffee machine that can make a few different types of drinks, a juice dispenser, and a selection of tea bags. You’ll also find a water machine which can dispense flavored sparkling or flat water. Need to heat up a meal? You can utilize the microwave at the Regency Club or ask for one for your room from the front desk.

Light Dinner/Hors d'oeuvres

The Hyatt Regency Club offers a “light dinner” from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The offerings here can absolutely be used as a whole dinner meal to save some money. The main offerings vary daily but there is always a few staples found at each meal.

Some main dishes include empanadas and shrimp risotto.

Another main meal that can be found here are sesame seed crusted chicken tenders, dipping sauce, and noodles with vegetables. A third option here was a hot chicken soup which was very popular. Again, everything is buffet style and self serve so eat as much or as little as you want.

During the evening hours you’ll also find a salad bar, breadsticks, with rolls and buns to go with your main dishes.

For those that want a lighter start, you have a selection of cheese, deli meats, crackers, and assorted fixings.

If you drink, you have common Hyatt brand Canvas wines as well as local brand beers and seltzers. This is on an honor system where you fill out a card with your name, room number, and number of drinks which will then be charged to your room. The prices here are about $5/serving which is cheaper than anywhere else! Drinks are only served during dinner time from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

Dessert

Dessert is served from 7:15pm to 9:00pm. Usually, there are between 2 to 4 different bite sized desserts for you to enjoy.

Dessert can consist of brownies, lemon bars, and various cakes including tiramisu style cake bites.

Peanut butter and chocolate cake slices (with an extra lemon bar).

My Thoughts on the Regency Club

I’ve been to quite a few different clubs across many different Hyatt properties. In general, we’ve been able to get a ton of great value out of them, especially since we’re traveling with kids and I have access by being Globalist. For our stays where we have access to a club, the only meal I have to worry about is lunch, which is nice and saves us a good amount of money. The food options at the clubs is not going to be the highest end but it is very reasonable for what it is.

The Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki offered a great variety for breakfast, snack, and light dinner. The only downside during my stay was that the Regency Club was PACKED. Finding seats was impossible. What made me dislike it even more was that with the limited seating available, you couldn’t even take food back to your room or outside the club to eat or find more seating. They are very strict about this policy.

Is it worth it? For Globalists who get it for free, absolutely. For those who have to pay extra cash or points for it, it’ll vary. If you’re a solo traveler, then I’d say it’s not worth it. For a party of 2-4 or more, it can be worth it since the additional cost you pay will be for everyone on the reservation and not per person. Having two meals covered via the club can save a lot of money, especially in Hawaii.

Amenities and Facilities

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki boats a ton of amenities and facilitates to meet your every need during your stay. From on site eats, car rental, a huge fitness center, open air pool, and more, you can find everything you need here whether you’re traveling for work or leisure.

Pool

Photo by World of Hyatt

The pool is located on the third floor of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. It’s an outdoor open air pool that also has a hot tub nearby. It’s not a very big pool for how large the hotel is but it is available and can be a nice spot to enjoy the weather. Around the pool, you’ll find a number of lounge chairs for you to use and some cabanas available for rent. You can get and return towels by the pool as well. Next to the pool is an eating and drinking option called SWIM.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is well equipped for all types of gym-goers. The gym is also located on the third floor, across from the pool area. Entering the fitness center requires your keycard. You’ll be greeted with various treadmills, stairmasters, and stationary bikes. There is also a water station, towels, and sanitary wipes for you to use during your workout.

You’ll also find a full set of free weights, various stations, barbells, a cable station, and more. There is NOT a bathroom inside the fitness center. The closest one can be found by exiting the fitness center and going right. There is a set of bathrooms around the corner that you need a keycard for as well.

Hotel Shops

The first floor of the hotel boasts plenty of shops. You’ll find a coffee shop, candy shop, plenty of shops selling clothes, and more.

Farmers Market

In addition to the shops, every Monday and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm, there is a farmers market on the first floor of the hotel. You can find all sorts of trinkets and food. Bring cash because many merchants take cash only or charge you a fee for using credit cards.

Na Ho’ola Spa

The spa is open from 9am to 5pm daily and is located on the 4th floor of the hotel. You can find more information about this spa here.

Currency Exchange

For international travelers, you can find the currency exchange booth on the second floor by the Diamondhead Tower elevators.

Beach Chairs and Towels

Beach chairs and towels are available to guests at the towel stand on the third floor by the pool.

On-Site Eats and Drinks

SHOR

Photo by World of Hyatt

SHOR is located on the third floor. Per Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s website, SHOR delivers fresh local ingredients for their breakfast buffet and dinner daily. In the evening, you can find specialty drinks, seafood, steak, and Hawaiian sweets. You can find both indoor and outdoor seating here. The hours for breakfast are from 6am to 11am and dinner is from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

You can find their menu here and make a reservation here.

SWIM

Photo by World of Hyatt

SWIM is poolside on the third floor. It serves lunch, dinner, and specialty drinks daily. SWIM opens from 11am to 10pm, happy hour is from 4pm to 6pm, and live music is available daily from 5pm to 8pm (6pm to 9pm on Fridays). You can find their menu here.

Final Thoughts 

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki is a luxurious beachfront hotel located in the heart of Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. It features over 1,200 elegantly appointed rooms and suites with stunning ocean or city views, as well as top-notch amenities, including a world-class spa, fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars, and a beautiful outdoor pool. It has everything you and your family need to have a great stay on Oahu. The views here are the BEST of the three Hyatt properties on this island. My only negative is that the rooms and property overall can use a refresh. Our room had some very small details that show it’s age and wear from heavy occupancy but it did not negatively impact our stay.

Looking for a card to help you earn World of Hyatt points to stay at places like this? Check out the cards below!

World of Hyatt Card

World of Hyatt Business Card