After three blissful nights at Ka La‘i Waikiki, where understated luxury and serenity defined every moment, we moved to Sheraton Waikiki—and it was like stepping from a peaceful spa straight into a theme park. The change was instant and intense. At Ka La‘i, we were wrapped in calm, personalized attention; at the Sheraton, we were dropped into a bustling resort packed with energy, noise, and lines. The contrast shaped our entire experience.
We arrived to find a buzzing, chaotic lobby: families with strollers, tour groups organizing in the corners, suitcases being wheeled in every direction. Fortunately, as Platinum Bonvoy members, we were able to bypass the long check-in queue and head to the priority desk, which was a major relief. Staff were polite and efficient—one of the rare calm moments in an otherwise hectic setting.
We had put in a Suite Night Award request, which thankfully cleared in advance. Our Kai Ocean Front Suite was spacious and comfortable, offering the only real echo of the spa-like calm we had just left behind. It featured a large bedroom, a separate living area, huge bathroom, and an expansive lanai with sweeping views of the Pacific. While the interior wasn’t anything extraordinary in design, it was clean, well-maintained, and—most importantly—quiet. We genuinely appreciated having a peaceful retreat away from the non-stop buzz of the rest of the hotel.
But the theme park feeling came rushing back the moment we left our suite. The pool area, which looks spectacular in photos, was the epicenter of the resort’s intensity. The adult-only infinity pool, while beautifully designed, was consistently overcrowded. Finding a lounge chair felt like trying to score a popular ride without a FastPass. And if you were hoping for a cabana, you needed to plan way in advance—they were booked out entirely during our stay. The adjacent Helumoa Playground pool, shared with The Royal Hawaiian, was even more chaotic—loud, crowded, and designed for families with kids. Perfect for some, but not for anyone looking for rest or relaxation. Compared to the peaceful, curated pool experience at Ka La‘i, this was a major downgrade.
Breakfast—offered daily to Bonvoy Elite members—was also a letdown. We gave it a fair shot and went every morning for three days, but it never improved. The food itself was limited: a couple kinds of fruit, yogurt, and basic pastries (mostly Danishes). No hot options, no local specialties, and certainly nothing memorable. Even worse, each morning started with long lines just to get in. It felt more like the food court at a convention center than a relaxing start to the day. By the third day, it was more about getting in and out quickly than enjoying anything.
That said, there were a few pleasant surprises scattered throughout the stay. The coffee bar near the lobby was efficient and served great espresso drinks—far better than what we’ve come to expect from big resorts. The ice cream bar by the pool was also a fun touch and perfect for a mid-day break from the Waikiki heat. These little moments helped lighten the experience and reminded us that Sheraton is still trying to deliver fun, even if it sometimes struggles with finesse.
One big strength of the property is location. Sheraton Waikiki sits in the middle of everything—beachfront, connected to a large shopping complex, and surrounded by endless food options. Since breakfast was forgettable and the hotel restaurants didn’t really draw us in, we ate most of our meals in the surrounding area. There’s everything from upscale dining to casual bites just steps away. One of our favorite afternoon routines was walking next door to The Royal Hawaiian (Pink Palace) for tea and photos—a refined, relaxing break from the crowds at the Sheraton.
Bonvoy Elite members are offered a “Raid the Shop” benefit in lieu of traditional welcome points, and we gave it a try. The shop itself is fairly small, more convenience store than boutique, but it’s well-stocked with snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and a few local treats. You’re allowed to choose items not up to a certain dollar amount, but as much as you can fill the given paper bag! It wasn’t a game-changer, but it was a fun, useful perk that we appreciated during our stay.
Service throughout the property was warm and friendly, but clearly under strain. Everyone we encountered—from front desk to pool staff—did their best to help, and many went out of their way to be accommodating. Still, it’s hard to deliver personalized service in a hotel this size, especially at full capacity. At Ka La‘i, staff remembered our names and preferences. At Sheraton, we were one of thousands. It’s not a fault of the people—it’s just the nature of a mega-resort.
In the end, Sheraton Waikiki offers convenience, location, and family-oriented amenities, but it simply doesn’t provide the calm or polish that luxury travelers might be seeking. It’s loud, crowded, and constantly in motion—like a Hawaiian version of a resort theme park. For some, that’s exactly the energy they want. For us, especially after experiencing Ka La‘i’s quiet, refined charm, it felt overwhelming. The Sheraton is built for scale, not intimacy. So if you’re after peace, service, and sophistication, look elsewhere—especially just down the road at Ka La‘i.
