If you’ve been to Hawaii before and want something a little different from a typical Waikiki hotel stay, Ala Moana Hotel is worth a serious look.
Located directly across from Ala Moana Center and a short walk from one of Oahu’s best local beaches, it sits in a sweet spot between convenience and calm — close enough to Waikiki to visit easily, far enough away to feel like you’ve escaped the crowds.
This Ala Moana Hotel review covers what the condo units are actually like, where the property sits, and who this stay is best for.
What Ala Moana Hotel actually is
This is worth understanding before you book.
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra is a high-rise building that operates as both a traditional hotel and a condominium hotel.
Some units are standard hotel rooms managed directly by Mantra.
Others are individually owned condominiums available for short-term rental through platforms like Booking.com.
The units featured here are the latter — privately owned condo units, not standard hotel rooms.
What this means in practice:
- Check-in is at the hotel’s main front desk
- Hotel amenities — pool, gym, and on-site dining — are available to guests
- Housekeeping is not included as a daily service, the way it would be in a standard hotel room
- In-room replenishments (coffee, toiletries) are handled by the property management company, not hotel staff
For travelers expecting a full-service hotel experience, this is an important distinction.
These are privately owned condo units, which generally come at a lower price point than standard hotel rooms.
For guests booking a 1-bedroom suite, there’s an added bonus: a full kitchen that hotel rooms simply don’t offer.
Ala Moana Hotel: Studios & 1-Bedroom Suites
The units available here fall into two categories: studios and 1-bedroom suites.
Studios are well-suited for couples or solo travelers. Each has a kitchenette — refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker — but no stovetop or oven.
The setup is comfortable for a short stay, and the ocean view units on higher floors make a real impression.
1-bedroom suites are a different experience.
You get a separate bedroom, a living area, and a full kitchen with stovetop, oven, refrigerator, and everything you need to cook proper meals.
For stays of four nights or more, or for anyone who wants to feel genuinely settled rather than just passing through, this is the better choice.
Both room types have access to the hotel’s pool, gym, and on-site dining.
Ala Moana Hotel Amenities
Because these units are inside the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra, guests have access to the building’s shared facilities:
- Pool — outdoor pool with city and partial ocean views
- Fitness center — fully equipped gym
- On-site dining — restaurant and bar options for when you don’t feel like going out
This is one of the practical advantages of a hotel condo over a standalone vacation rental: you get the independence of a private unit with resort-style facilities in the same building.
Location: what’s actually within walking distance
The location is one of the strongest reasons to choose this property.
Ala Moana Center is directly across the street. With over 350 stores, it covers everything from groceries to luxury shopping.
For returning Hawaii visitors, proximity to Ala Moana Center is often the deciding factor in choosing to stay in this area over Waikiki.
Whole Foods Market is located in the nearby Kakaako neighborhood, about a 10–15 minute walk from the hotel — easy for stocking up on groceries, grabbing a prepared meal, or putting together a picnic.
Guests in the 1-bedroom suites especially appreciate having a quality supermarket this close.
Ala Moana Beach Park is about a 10-minute walk away.
This is the beach that Honolulu residents actually use — calm water, plenty of space, a grassy park alongside it, and none of the tourist density of Waikiki Beach.
The sunsets from the park are among the best on the island.
Waikiki is about 15–20 minutes on foot or a short trolley ride.
Close enough to visit for a day or evening, far enough away that you’re not in the middle of it.
Who this stay is best for
Hawaii repeat visitors tend to love this property most.
If you’ve done Waikiki, you already know what you’re getting there.
Ala Moana offers a quieter, more local version of Oahu — the same island, a noticeably different pace.
Shoppers and food lovers will find the location hard to beat.
Ala Moana Center and Whole Foods are steps away, and the wider Ala Moana and Kakaako neighborhoods have some of Oahu’s best independent restaurants and cafes.
Long-stay travelers benefit from having a kitchenette or full kitchen.
A week in Hawaii gets expensive quickly if every meal is at a restaurant — being able to make breakfast and keep snacks adds up.
Business travelers working in Honolulu’s central business district will find Ala Moana well-positioned — close to downtown without being in it, with more space than a standard hotel room offers.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want true beachfront access, Waikiki Shore puts you directly on the sand in a way that Ala Moana Hotel can’t match.
And if it’s your first trip to Hawaii and you want the classic Waikiki experience, it’s worth knowing that Ala Moana has a distinctly more local, less touristy feel.
That’s a feature for returning visitors. For first-timers, Waikiki’s energy might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Quick summary
Best for: Hawaii repeat visitors, long-stay travelers, shoppers, business travelers
Studios: Kitchenette (microwave + coffee maker), ocean or city views, good for couples and solo travelers
1-Bedroom Suites: Full kitchen, separate bedroom, living area — best for stays of 4+ nights or anyone who wants more space to settle in
Amenities: Pool, gym, on-site dining
Note: Privately owned condo units — not standard hotel rooms. Daily housekeeping is not included.
Location: Directly across from Ala Moana Center, 10-min walk to Ala Moana Beach Park, 15–20 min to Waikiki
Frequently Asked Questions about Ala Moana Hotel
Is Ala Moana Hotel a hotel or a condo?
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra operates as both a traditional hotel and a condominium hotel. Some units are standard hotel rooms managed by Mantra; others are individually owned condominiums available for short-term rental through platforms like Booking.com. The condo units offer more space and a kitchen, but without daily housekeeping.
Does Ala Moana Hotel have a pool?
Yes — guests have access to an outdoor pool with city and partial ocean views, as well as a fully equipped fitness center and on-site dining. These shared amenities are available to all guests, including those in privately managed condo units.
Is Ala Moana Hotel close to the beach?
Ala Moana Beach Park is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It’s the beach Honolulu residents actually use — calm water, plenty of space, and none of the tourist density of Waikiki Beach. The sunsets from the park are among the best on the island. Waikiki Beach is about 15–20 minutes away on foot.
What is the difference between a studio and a 1-bedroom suite at Ala Moana Hotel?
Studios have a kitchenette (refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker) but no stovetop or oven — suited for couples or solo travelers on shorter stays. The 1-bedroom suites include a full kitchen with stovetop and oven, a separate bedroom, and a proper living area — better for stays of four nights or more, or anyone who wants more space to settle in.
How far is Ala Moana Hotel from Waikiki?
Waikiki is about 15–20 minutes on foot from Ala Moana Hotel, or a short trolley ride. Close enough to visit easily for a day or evening out, but far enough that you’re not in the middle of Waikiki’s tourist strip.
Is Ala Moana Hotel good for first-time visitors to Hawaii?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Ala Moana has a quieter, more local feel than Waikiki — which returning visitors often prefer. First-timers who want the classic Waikiki experience, beach access, and easy access to major attractions may find Waikiki a better fit. For first-timers who prefer a calmer base, Ala Moana is an excellent choice.
What is near Ala Moana Hotel?
Ala Moana Center — with over 350 stores — is directly across the street. Whole Foods Market is a 10–15 minute walk in the nearby Kakaako neighborhood. Ala Moana Beach Park is about 10 minutes on foot. The wider Ala Moana and Kakaako areas have some of Oahu’s best independent restaurants and cafes.
Comparing your options on Oahu? Read our Waikiki Shore review for a true beachfront alternative, or our Waikiki vs Ko Olina guide to help decide which part of the island fits your trip.