In the pre-WWII Hawaii, Waikiki was an almost secluded beach with only a couple of hotels. Ruling the white sand beach was the venerable Royal Hawaiian, also know as "the pink palace."

Today she is still there and while she is surrounded by the hodge-podge that is today's Waikiki her regal bearing has survived. Walking through the front door is like stumbling upon an oasis.

The rooms are lovely, the beach bar grand, and the ambiance is like being in Hawaii decades ago.

Tip. Get up early for breakfast in the beachside restaurant and go out and get yourself a lounge and umbrella in the hotel space on the beach. There isn't a nicer way to while away some time in the (almost) shadow of the famous Diamond Head.