Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Hale Koa Hotel offers an impeccable blend of service and travel value for the active and retired military traveler searching for the perfect Hawaiian vacation. Located in the heart of Waikiki, it offers great prices and unmatched value found in any major travel destination. The Hale Koa offers leisure dining, great Polynesian entertainment, and relaxation in a tropical garden, ocean-front oasis.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Hale Koa Hotel captivates guests with its vibrant entertainment and breathtaking views, though a few mention that some areas could use updating and noise may sometimes be bothersome. Nestled in an excellent location, the spacious rooms are applauded for their cleanliness and striking ocean vistas, despite the occasional noise and dated decor.
Reviewers consistently commend the hotel's meticulous cleanliness and the professionalism of the friendly staff. With a wealth of amenities, including oceanfront rooms and an adults-only area, many find the hotel a good value, although opinions are mixed regarding meal prices and additional fees.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Abundant
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This is a beautiful spot right on Waikiki Beach available to active and retired military personnel and their guests. We were sponsored by my veteran father and spent 12 days. The location could not be better, the grounds are beautiful and immaculate. The rooms have been recently renovated and are wonderfully comfortable. We had "partial ocean view" which had a nice little balcony where we enjoyed evenings and early mornings. The new pool is great! Happy Fresh and Fast is a great place for simple, reasonably priced food. Biba's was less impressive. We did not try Koko's as it was a buffet for breakfast and we just can't eat enough in one sitting to justify the price.
We took advantage of the on premise entertainment: a magic show, which was fun and not expensive. A good diversion at the end of the day. And the luau. The Luau at Hale Koa is reasonably priced compared to others on Oahu, and with it being right on the hotel grounds, it was a no brainer to buy tickets for it rather than having to hire a car to take us to a more expensive show. The show itself was very entertaining. The MC is Glen Madeiras, which was an unexpected flash from the past.. the problem was the food. They gave you a plate of kahlua pork (fine, but honestly it was better when we ate it at Happy), teryaki chicken thigh (tasty enough), a large piece of overcooked beef (zero taste) and the fishiest piece of mahi mahi I've ever had. No one we saw around us finished their meal. It was so much mediocre food. It would have been so much better if we had been asked to choose one protein (or even two!). Then there is a chance that it would have been prepared better. There is no excuse for fishy fish on an island. Still the show was fun and entertaining and we are glad we went. It was just disappointing that so much food was thrown away. If I could, I would deduct 1/2 a star to possibly get someone's attention about this!
Other positives: there is a PX on the ground floor that even sponsored guests can shop at (except booze). It is located next to a large park and a bus stop where both the city bus and hop on hop off trolleys stop. ($5 per day on the one that circulates around Waikiki to Ala Moana Shopping Center.) There are credit card accepting laundry machines on ever floor, which was very helpful. The Barefoot Bar is also a great place to hang out and have a cocktail!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Start booking early, it fills up fast.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful stay at the Hale Koa, house of the warrior. This place is very impressive and quite large and very open. The rooms were clean and well kept up, housekeeping was wonderful and came daily. Our room had a resort balcony, we did not spend much time on but was nice in the evenings. Our first full day here the plumbing (toilets, showers, sinks, all running water) was not working. It was a hotel wide issue. We were gone most of the day and the issue was fixed by the end of the day. Staff here was friendly. They have covered parking in a garage across the street which is $20/day. The grounds of the hotel were gorgeous and very well kept up and right on the water. They had an adults only infinity pool above the family pool, hot tub, a kids waterpark and an additional adults only pool. The pools were lovely but our biggest complaint is Sunday-Thursday these pools close daily at 5pm. By the time we made it back to the hotel after exploring the pool was closed. Fridays and Saturdays the family pool and adult only infinity pool stays open until 8pm and even then is still on the earlier side. We got to spend a total of 2 hrs in the pool just on Friday evening, we watched the sunset from pool which was lovely. That was our biggest complaint. The lifeguards were on top of it. They identified unaccompanied children who made their way into the hot tub and found their parents. This hotel also has an outdoor bar/restaurant, open to the public but they have military discounts. We booked a luau here too since they had a military discount as well making the cost of admission super affordable. The luau was wonderful and super entertaining, we felt we truly lucked out here and with the luau.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I was a guest at the Hale Koa for a week in February. The location is great as it is within walking distance to shopping and dining. We enjoyed grabbing a quick to go lunch at Happy’s Cafe. Biba’s was good, but has a limited menu- not many app or salad selections, although the food was good. The drinks were always on point at any bar/restaurant on the property. The room was very clean and had a good view of the ocean. I do have to say that the fridge in the bathroom was weird and there is no microwave- doesn’t make much sense! My only “complaint “ would be of the rude, entitled seniors who believe they own the property, specially spots at the pool. The staff really needs to discourage this type of behavior by removing early morning “saved pool chair towels.” We are all paying to stay there, so if you want to reserve a seat then PAY to rent a cabana!! Parking is in a paid lot and is convenient- bellhops will drive you in the golf cart if needed. All staff members were extremely friendly and helpful! Its a great place🌺🌴
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â Experience the luau!!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FAMILIES: Promoted as a place for military and their families, just be aware it’ll cost a couple with three teens $140 for the buffet breakfast. Another restaurant on site called Happy’s has very exorbitant prices as well. Google “Happy’s Hale Koa” and see how many times people have posted photos of the menu…notice the dates of the posts and how prices have soared! Again, a family of five will *easily* spend over $100 for burgers, fries, and drinks! Think about three meals a day, plus your rooms… A military family will rack up heavy debt just trying to have a good time. If you’re all excited about bringing your family here, start saving now, because this place will break your bank account. It will cost thousands for a week. Or be wise, look on AirBnB for a place better suited for families.
COUPLES: My wife and I spent a week in Honolulu in an AirBnB, then a week on Kauai in another AirBnB, and decided to stay at Hale Koa before returning to the mainland. We forked out $95 for supper here. In our room, many floors up, we suffered through loud music coming from below, some outdoor concert - and also loud children screaming from below as well. Unless you’ve got some fantasy about staying at the Hale Koa, I am 100% certain you can do better through AirBnB.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are 22 year ID Card holding retired veterans that were unable to get reservations here during our vacation so we booked a nearby hotel. We visited the Hale Koa to use the pool and other facilities and were told we couldn’t??? The pool was for hotel guests and their “guests” (non military ID holders like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents) only!!!
We earned the right to use these facilities! We understood the restrictions during Covid, but there are no restrictions now. What gives?
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent a week there in early September 2022. Payed extra for an ocean view room. The room view was actually of built up area of Waikiki. Called front desk and was told, “go out on the balcony and you can see the ocean.” So the room didn’t have an ocean view. When we checked in I was told parking was free. At checked out the “free” parking cost $120 for the 7 days. The restaurants in the hotel we’re good but expensive. We ate most meals at “Happy’s,” it was about 1/2 price of the other restaurants at the hotel. Pools close very early, 5PM Sunday-Thursday. To early for people on vacation. Life guards at the main pool were a little overbearing. Hilton hotel pool down the way stayed open much later. The grounds were beautiful and expertly maintained.The I elevators in the tower we where in, only 3 out of 4 worked and were very slow. Spent a lot of time standing waiting for the elevator with large groups of people. When you are on vacation you shouldn’t have to stand around waiting for an elevators. The PX in the hotel was great, well stocked, fair prices, well maintained with fast friendly service. Weather was great and the beach was beautiful. The hotel itself could use a fresh coat of paint, new carpet in the hallways and new elevators. The place was a little run down for my taste. For the prices we payed and being run by the government I was surprised at the state of the hotel generally. My wife and I will be going back to Hawaii but we will not stay at this hotel again.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best bang for your Buck. If you’re eligible to visit by all means come here and skip the other hotels at this location. Remember, there are no taxes anywhere at this site. You can go to ABC stores located near the area and compare prices and save a ton of money at the BX. (Exchange). The lowest cost rooms are nicely appointed with a coffee maker and refrigerator. The bathroom is very large with an sensor switch light that comes on when you enter and goes off when you exit. The staff is super accommodating. There are professional shows each night of the week. The luau is only on Thursday now instead of Monday and Thursday due to Covid-19.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a Department of Defense operated resort primarily for active duty and retired military personnel. You will need to produce a military ID before checking in. The rates are based upon rank and are much less expensive than the other hotels located on the beach. We had a a room with two beds and a balcony with a view of the ocean. It was probably not as fancy as other hotels in the area, but very adequate for our needs. The facility itself is very large and well maintained. It has almost everything a family or couple would need including nice swimming pools, hot tubs and water slides, plus it is just a short walk to the beach. There is a Post Exchange that is really handy with some clothing, groceries etc. There are restaurants located on property. Be sure to buy your bottled water, soda, etc at the PX as it is much less expensive plus no tax. If you are interested in tours of the island, the hotel has a Tour Desk who can arrange them for you, generally at less cost. We did a tour of Pearl Harbor which had the convenience of being picked up and dropped off at the Hotel Lobby. Finally, if you are arriving by air, a cab to the hotel is Expensive. I would suggest you use Charles Cab Service which charges a flat fee of $35 to and from the airport. Around town you may want to consider Uber, which we had a very good experience with. One more thing, the hotel has a nice luau at a reasonable price, but make reservations in advance. The tour desk can help you with tickets.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Don’t use a regular cab, consider using Charlies Cab to and from the airport. Hotel Tour Travel...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Hale Koa is a military resort located in a terrific area of Waikiki. My wife and I booked a Deluxe Ocean Front View for our week vacation. If you are looking for a Deluxe Ocean Front View you will have to start looking at booking at least 11 months out. You may even have to email or call the hotel to get reservations. Check in was a long process. We arrived around 1700 and there were several people in line trying to get checked in. The desk clerk gave us a run down on all the activities at the resort. Parking is just across the street from the hotel. There is a fee of $20.00 a day. The room was clean, spacious and relaxing. Very quiet during our entire stay. Ms. Helen with the house keeping staff was excellent. She was always on time with fresh towels and anything else we needed. The hotel has a few different dining areas, but we mainly ate at Happy’s Fast & Fresh, due to our very relaxed vacation schedule. The food was good and the service was pretty fast. Very good vacation and a great place to stay. Highly recommended if you are eligible to stay here.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very nice hotel with great views. Check in was quick and easy. You can choose the type of room you want at various prices depending on type of room and military rank. Higher the rank the higher the price. Our room was very clean and had daily housekeeping. There is a restaurant at the hotel that is restricted to hotel guests. There is also a coffee bar in the lobby that is open in the mornings only. There are two pools. One is designated adults only. There is a bar at the main pool. The hotel is right on the beach with large grounds that are beautifully kept. Check out was very easy. The only complaint we had was the lone computer in the business center was "Temporary Out of Service" the entire week we were there. Inquiries at the front desk received a reply of "Don't know when it will be fixed". An added value is a post exchange on the property and there's no taxes charged on the property.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â If able choose a room on the west side of the hotel. Much quieter.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Honolulu area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
hale koa hotel oahu, hale hotel koa
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiOahuHonoluluWaikiki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
814
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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