Great Stays: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort in Waikiki, Hawaii

By Frank Macek

Photos Courtesy: Outrigger Reef On the Beach

I have traveled to Hawai‘i many times in my life, and each trip carries with it the weight of memory, anticipation, and the hope that the islands will once again surprise me. 

O‘ahu, the gathering place, is the island I return to most often. While some visitors dismiss Waikīkī as tourist-clogged and commercial, I’ve always found that, within its rush of surfboards and shopping bags, there are places of quiet renewal and cultural depth. 

Every time I visit Hawaii, I stay at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. More than just a hotel, this property became a retreat, a story, and for a brief span of days, a home that taught me something new about the islands I thought I knew so well.

When I first arrived, stepping from the shuttle with luggage in hand after a nearly 14 hour travel day from Ohio, I immediately sensed that the Outrigger Reef had mastered something subtle again with their latest remodeling during the 2020 pandemic. The new lobby was not just a functional waiting room with glossy brochures and a long check-in desk; it was a cultural embrace. Natural light poured through wide windows, reflecting off a small water feature whose sound blended with the faint music playing in the background. 

Behind the reception desk, murals inspired by Hawaiian voyaging traditions reached across the walls, their colors and forms reminding guests that they stood in a place with centuries of history. Rope art by Marques Hanalei Marzan hung nearby, intricate and modern yet unmistakably Hawaiian in origin. This was not art placed for decoration alone. It was storytelling, rooted in the values of the people who first crossed these seas. Checking in, I felt like I was being invited into something far richer than four walls and a bed. In fact, I recognized several of the greeters who have been with the hotel on many prior visits.

My room revealed the same quiet thoughtfulness in as I settled in to the  Ocean Tower for this stay that is closest to the ocean. As usual, I had chosen an ocean-view category, and when I opened the curtains, a wash of blue filled the lanai door like I remembered it.

The Pacific shimmered in late afternoon light, each ripple catching fire as the sun descended. The room itself was designed for calm: plush white bedding, tasteful wood accents, subtle island patterns in the upholstery. A compact refrigerator, Chromecast TV, and safe were there, but tucked into corners where they wouldn’t intrude. 

The bathroom offered either a soaking tub or walk-in shower depending on configuration, but whichever you get, the water pressure feels as if it has been tuned for relaxation. I set my bag down, slid the balcony door open, and leaned against the rail. Below me, I could make out turtles rising now and then to the surface, lifting their shells like coins catching light. The hum of Waikīkī was out there, but up here it felt far away, filtered by the rhythm of the waves.

That first evening, I wandered the property. The Outrigger Reef is neither the largest nor the tallest of the Waikīkī resorts, but what it offers is balance. The central pool sparkled as children splashed and parents read under umbrellas. Around it, the three towers rose: Ocean, Pacific, and Diamond Head. The newest suites, including an expansive two-level residence in the Diamond Head Tower, catered to guests wanting something extra, but even the standard rooms shared the same thoughtful design. I strolled past the pool toward the beachfront and discovered one of the resort’s great treasures: the quiet cove of sand that connects directly to the property. 

Waikīkī’s beach can be crowded, but here the tone is softer. Waves lap gently, the crowd thins, and you feel as if you’ve discovered a pocket of calm just steps from the busier boulevard. Standing barefoot in that sand, I knew I’d spend many hours here.

Hunger eventually led me to the hotel’s signature restaurant, Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. This was my first time trying Peter Merriman’s Waikīkī outpost, though I had sampled his food on Maui before. 

The concept remains true: organic, farm-to-table ingredients treated with respect. The open-air dining room faces the sea, separated only by a sleek railing of glass. I ordered a signature Mai Tai topped with lilikoi foam, a dish of poke tacos, and a wood-fired pizza to share. The flavors were bright and fresh, and the view elevated each bite. Watching the horizon fade from gold to violet as surfers paddled in for the evening, I realized this was exactly what I craved in Waikīkī: indulgence without pretense.

Later that night, I discovered what may be the heart of the Outrigger Reef experience: Kani Ka Pila Grille. Tucked into the property, this casual eatery is known for nightly live Hawaiian music. It has become one of the most important small stages in Waikīkī for both established and up-and-coming island musicians. I found a table near the edge, ordered kalua pork sliders and a cold beer, and listened as the music began. 

Ukulele strings mingled with rich vocals, songs telling stories older than any skyscraper looming over Waikīkī. Families, couples, even solo travelers like me swayed gently to the rhythm. This wasn’t entertainment for show. This was a continuation of tradition, a heartbeat pulsing within the property, keeping it connected to the place it occupies.

The next morning I rose early, unable to resist the promise of dawn over the water. From my balcony, I watched as the first rays of sun reached across the Pacific to the east. The air was cool, the streets below quiet, and the ocean shimmered with possibility. I made my way to the Voyager 47 Club Lounge, a sanctuary reserved for certain room categories. Inside, the spread included Kona coffee, fresh fruit, pastries, and hot breakfast with a Hawaiian twist. 

Between meals and moments of reflection, I discovered the range of activities available. The fitness center was far larger than most resort gyms I’ve visited, equipped with Technogym machines, free weights, and even Peloton bikes. Open 24/7, it allowed me to sneak in a workout whenever the mood struck, though admittedly the lure of the beach often won out. 

Families found joy in the Coral Kids Club, where children engaged in crafts and activities that connected them to the environment. I peeked in once and saw kids weaving their own mini leis, their faces bright with concentration and delight. For adults, complimentary cultural workshops took place regularly: lei-making, hula lessons, and ukulele classes. I joined a lei-making session one morning, threading orchids and plumeria carefully while an instructor explained the significance behind each flower and the act of giving. Later, wearing the lei on the beach, I felt tied into something far deeper than decoration.

Another unique offering of the Outrigger Reef is its complimentary vow-renewal ceremonies held twice weekly. I watched one from a distance one morning, the couple surrounded by leis, a hula dancer, and the gentle strum of ukulele. It was small, heartfelt, and genuine, proving that romance here doesn’t need fireworks or extravagance—just the ocean, the sky, and a sense of love renewed. That kind of simplicity speaks volumes.

The resort charge of $55 per night, a feature often dreaded by travelers, actually impressed me here. Wi-Fi for multiple devices, unlimited local and international calls up to an hour, daily in-room coffee and tea replenished, a reusable water bottle with refill stations, reef-friendly sunscreen, beach towels, access to the fitness center and cultural classes, and even discounts or free admission to places like the Waikīkī Aquarium and Bishop Museum—all of it added real value. Instead of feeling like a hidden tax, it felt like the resort was handing me back more than I paid.

In the afternoons, I alternated between lounging by the pool and wandering out into Waikīkī. The pool deck, framed with shaded cabanas and sun chairs, offered easy access to both bar service and the beach beyond. At times I walked Kalākaua Avenue, taking in the energy of the city—the street performers, the endless retail temptations, the hum of people from every corner of the globe converging here. But I always returned to the Reef. Its quieter corner of the beach, its cultural programming, and its atmosphere of calm gave me refuge from the very chaos that defines Waikīkī.

Evenings ended back at Kani Ka Pila Grille, the music becoming a thread tying each day together. One night, a family seated near me was celebrating a birthday. The musicians seamlessly shifted into a celebratory song, the entire audience clapping along, laughter carrying into the night. In moments like that, you realize what the Outrigger Reef is offering isn’t just lodging—it’s community.

When the time came to leave, I lingered. I woke up early on my final morning, stepped out onto the lanai, and took in the sunrise one more time. I thought about the lei I had made, now dried and fragile, and how its petals represented the fleeting but meaningful moments of my stay. Travel is about experiences, yes, but also about connection. The Outrigger Reef had given me both in generous measure. I packed reluctantly, knowing that even as I returned to the mainland, part of me would remain in that quiet cove where music played each night and the Pacific whispered just beyond.

The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort surprised me, embraced me, and reminded me why I return to O‘ahu again and again. It isn’t the flashiest property in Waikīkī, nor does it try to be. Instead, it offers something more enduring: cultural depth, thoughtful hospitality, and a sense of home by the sea. It is, in the truest sense, a great stay—one that lingers long after the plane has taken off and the horizon has faded.

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Visitor Information: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

• Address: 2169 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
• Phone: (808) 923-3111
• Website: outrigger.com
• Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
• Dining: Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, Kani Ka Pila Grille, Voyager 47 Club Lounge, in-room dining
• Amenities: Pool, fitness center, cultural activities, kids club, spa services, beach access
• Resort Charge: $55 plus tax per night, includes Wi-Fi, cultural classes, sunscreen, towels, museum discounts, phone calls, reusable water bottle, and more
• Room Rates: Standard rooms typically range from $280–$350 per night, Ocean View and Voyager Club rooms from $400–$550 per night, and luxury suites start around $600+ per night depending on season and availability
• Nearby: Waikīkī Beach Walk, Honolulu Zoo, Diamond Head, Ala Moana Center