Waikiki's Pink Palace Turns 100: Inside the Royal Hawaiian Renovation

Few hotels are as instantly recognizable as the Royal Hawaiian. Its pink stucco walls and Spanish-Moorish arches have stood on Waikiki Beach since 1927, earning it the nickname "Pink Palace of the Pacific." In February 2027 it turns 100, and the hotel is marking the occasion with a top-to-bottom refresh.

What's being renovated

The work is happening in stages, so the hotel stays open while sections close in turn. According to The Points Guy, it is on track to finish in time for the anniversary.

The Historic Wing. The original six-storey building holds 349 rooms and suites. They're getting custom-carved furniture, dining tables for two and new bathrooms with glass shower doors and updated vanities. The original wooden doors, carved with the Hawaii state seal, are staying.

The Mailani Tower. Added in 1969, the tower's 179 rooms, including 11 suites, are being fully renovated. Every room in the tower faces the ocean and has a private lanai, which makes it the pick if a sea view from your balcony matters most.

The lobby and public spaces. These are getting a lighter look, with new fabrics and furnishings.

What isn't changing

The pink exterior stays. So does the hotel's sense of history. A Historic Gallery, created with Matson Archives, opened in late 2025, and the hotel runs historic tours twice a week. The Royal Hawaiian's older sister property next door, the Moana Surfrider, dates to 1901, so a stroll between the two is a short walk through Waikiki's early hotel history.

The 100th birthday celebrations

The hotel is planning a grand reopening and birthday celebration for early 2027. Events include a Royal Hawaiian Ahaaina luau, the opening of a time capsule and a series of parties, with tickets going on sale October 21. If you'd like to be there for the celebrations, plan your flights and room early, since anniversary dates tend to draw a crowd.

Staying during a renovation: what to know

A staged renovation means most guests won't notice much, but it helps to plan ahead:

• Ask which wing you're in. If you're booking before the work wraps up, ask whether your room has been refreshed.
• Choose your view on purpose. Mailani Tower rooms all face the ocean. Historic Wing rooms carry more of the 1920s character.
• Check what's open. Restaurants, pools and public spaces may close in turn. A quick check before you arrive avoids surprises.

Planning a Waikiki trip from Canada

Hawaii is one of the most popular winter escapes for Canadians, especially from Western Canada, where Honolulu is within reach on a single flight from several cities. Waikiki works well for a first visit: the beach, shops and restaurants sit close together, and Diamond Head is a short trip away for a morning hike.

Winter is peak season, so if you're aiming for the anniversary in February or a March Break trip, it pays to book early. Browse our Honolulu deals, search hotels across Waikiki, and find flights from your nearest airport.

The Royal Hawaiian is also part of Marriott's portfolio, so Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points on a stay.

Getting around Waikiki

Waikiki is compact, and much of it is walkable from the Royal Hawaiian. Kalakaua Avenue runs behind the beach with shops and restaurants, and Kapiolani Park sits at the Diamond Head end. For trips beyond Waikiki, such as the North Shore or the windward beaches, a rental car or a guided tour for a day or two is usually easier than relying on transit. Leave a morning free for the Diamond Head summit trail, and go early to beat the heat.

Why it's worth the trip

Plenty of resorts are newer or bigger, but very few have hosted a century of Waikiki history. With fresh rooms and the original character left in place, 2027 may be one of the best years yet to see the Pink Palace for yourself.