Our Favorite Luxury Venues: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
We have a special wedding planner collaboration with the Marriott Collection of Luxury Properties on O’ahu, including The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Please inquire with us if you love this property and are interested in learning more!
One of our absolute favorite wedding properties in Waikiki, if not all of O’ahu, is the beautiful, elegant, timeless “Pink Palace of the Pacific”, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Opened in 1927, The Royal Hawaiian “is an oasis of timeless luxury” with modern yet indigenous design qualities most noticeable in its’ Spanish meets Morrish stucco facade and architecture (inspired by the films of popular 1920’s Hollywood star Rudolph Valentino) and its’ honoring of Native Hawaiian royalty and artifacts throughout. Only the second hotel to be built in all of the Hawaiian islands — just after the opening of the Moana Surfrider Hotel, another Luxury Property on O’ahu under the Marriott Collection umbrella, in 1901 — the Pink Lady, as I like to call her, has hosted world dignitaries, Hollywood & local celebrities, and even served as an R&R center for GIs during World War II during her illustrious 96-years of being open to the world.
Under the watchful eye of the impressive, extinct volcano, Le’ahi (Diamond Head), The Royal Hawaiian is nestled into the wide, silky white sand beaches of Waikiki and further offers “unprecedented amenities, refined accommodations and exclusive services – all designed to provide guests with a 5-star luxury experience while visiting.”
This attention to impeccable detail and the incredibly beautiful wedding venues on property make The Royal Hawaiian a must-see venue for luxury wedding couples. Here, I dive into what makes this a standout wedding venue:
Feature #1 | Four Gorgeous & Private Venues for a Variety of Guest Sizes
The Royal Hawaiian offers two stunning outdoor properties — The Ocean Lawn & Lanai and The Coconut Grove — and two unique & captivating indoor properties — The Monarch Ballroom and The King Kamehameha Suite. All of these properties, with the exception of The King Kamehameha Suite, can host well over 100 guests.
The Ocean Lawn & Lanai - With a spectacular, ocean-side view in front and the impressive pink building behind you, this property is a jaw-dropper. Since staking of tents or poles is not allowed on this lawn, the main lawn retains its’ rich, green luster and is remains unblemished. The lawn flows easily into a lanai area made up of polished river rock stones. For an all outdoor experience, you can host your ceremony & cocktail hour on the lawn and then transition easily into the lanai area for dinner or use the lanai for cocktail and host your ceremony & reception under the stars on the lawn. (Note: Tents are allowed but they must be held down with weights or water barrels).
The Coconut Grove - As The Royal Hawaiian website suggests, “this garden oasis lies in the heart of the hotel and includes a picturesque courtyard lined with swaying trees and lipstick-red ginger blossoms". It is a very quiet venue location where you can easily host your full wedding day from ceremony to dance party, or host your ceremony in the Coconut Grove and then move your cocktail hour & reception to the impressive Ocean Lawn.
The Monarch Ballroom - A simply stunning, ornate ballroom — unlike any ballroom you’ve ever seen and the complete opposite from most “stuffy” ballrooms — this space includes a full stage and is a great choice if you want to host your reception indoors but have easy access to the outdoors. Open up any of the sliding doors and you are instantly on the Ocean Lawn and lanai area, where we often host your bar, your buffet, your lawn games, and more.
The King Kamehameha Suite - This sumptuous, highly-decorative suite sits just above the Ocean Lawn and can be used as the perfect venue for an elopement or micro-wedding. Designed as a suite befitting King Kamehameha himself, luxurious native wood furniture and indigenous plants are found throughout the space and the large, private lanai looks right out over the ocean as if it’s floating in space. This suite can also be rented as a private space for your welcome/rehearsal dinner.
As a bonus property - The Royal Garden at Helemoa is a smaller, outdoor space at the back of the hotel that is a wonderfully private area great for First Look pictures or even hosting a welcome/rehearsal dinner.
Feature #2 | Five-Star Concierge Service
Marriott is already known for it’s high-touch concierge service but The Royal Hawaiian takes it one step further. Every detail that the staff will touch — from silverware that is meticulously polished to linens starched to perfection to your own butler assigned to care just for you on the wedding night — is considered with the highest attention and care. Our planning team works seamlessly with the event management staff at the hotel, giving you twice as much concierge service throughout the evening.
Feature #3 | Comprehensive Wedding Packages
A question that often comes up for our couples considering an outdoor private estate vs. an outdoor property at a hotel is “What is the advantage to going with a hotel vs. bringing in all my own vendors”? The advantage to hotel is access to a very comprehensive wedding package that includes almost everything you would need to host your wedding day tomorrow. Marriott has gone one step further in this process to also offer tiered packages that can include a ceremony musician, officiant, ceremony photographer & videographer, and ceremony florist from their preferred vendor list. (And, you still have a great deal of say in who you hire for many of these roles). While the comprehensive packages don’t always come at a cost savings, what they do provide is access to vetted, luxury vendors and absolutely save you much need planning time by ticking off many boxes in one fell swoop.
Feature #4 | Convenient & Vibrant Location For All Your Guests
There are few private, outdoor properties on O’ahu that cater to a guest size of 50+ that also feature incredible ocean views, provide comprehensive wedding amenities, and give you immediate access to the vibrant tourist center of Waikiki as The Royal Hawaiian does. In addition, couples are always concerned about staying on target with their overall wedding day budget and transporting your guests to anywhere on island is a major financial investment, and can further be a source of anxiety for many couples, as well as your guests. Hosting your wedding in Waikiki means your guests can stay close to your venue, or even stay in a room block within The Royal Hawaiian, and have only to walk, Uber or Lyft to your wedding day.
FINAL FEATURE TIP — To maximize your time and your stay at The Royal Hawaiian, consider renting The King Kamehameha Suite as your “bridal” suite or getting ready suite. As this suite looks right out over the Ocean Lawn and lanai space, you can feel like you a part of your entire day from sunup to sundown. Imagine watching your full wedding setup unfold, something many couples don’t get to enjoy, while you relax with a Mimosa on your balcony and soak up all that is incredible about your wedding day.
Happy planning and sending much aloha your way today!
Annie