120 Kaiulani Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, United States
resort comparison guide

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs Prince Waikiki

Choosing between Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Prince Waikiki? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit for your next Waikiki getaway.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani resort
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
All-Ages • Central Waikiki • One Block from Beach

Best for travelers and families who want a central Waikiki base, one block from the beach, with cultural activities, a pool deck, and easy access to shopping and dining.

Prince Waikiki resort
Prince Waikiki
Harborfront • Refined • Quieter Waikiki Edge

Better for travelers who want a more polished harborfront stay with a quieter feel, elevated views, and a modern Waikiki-adjacent atmosphere.

Quick Verdict: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs Prince Waikiki

If you want to be in the heart of Waikiki, close to the beach and surrounded by dining, shopping, and entertainment, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the easier everyday base.

If your priority is a sleeker, more contemporary stay with a calmer harborfront setting and a more upscale feel, Prince Waikiki is the stronger fit.

Bottom line: choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for classic Waikiki convenience and family-friendly value; choose Prince Waikiki for a quieter, more refined harbor-view stay.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs Prince Waikiki – At a Glance

Category Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Prince Waikiki
Overall Vibe Classic, all-ages Waikiki hotel with a lively central location, cultural programming, and a practical resort-style setup. Modern, polished harborfront hotel with a quieter pace and a more upscale city-resort feel.
Location One block from Waikiki Beach at Kalakaua and Kaiulani Avenue, close to shopping, dining, and entertainment. Set by the harbor on the quieter edge of Waikiki, better for travelers who prefer a less central beach-strip atmosphere.
Rooms & Suites Large Waikiki hotel with refreshed Ainahau Tower rooms and a broad range of straightforward accommodations for couples, families, and groups. More contemporary room style with a stronger emphasis on elevated views and a sleeker overall feel.
Dining Splash Bar is the main on-site restaurant and bar, serving poolside Hawaiian comfort food, tiki-style cocktails, and live entertainment. Better suited to travelers who want a more upscale hotel dining atmosphere without being in the busiest core of Waikiki.
Pools & Beach One outdoor pool with loungers, umbrellas, rentable cabanas, and a shallow section for children; Waikiki Beach is a short walk away. More of a harborfront pool-and-view experience than a central Waikiki beach-base feel.
Kids & Family Family-friendly, with children welcome, cultural activities such as lei-making and ukulele lessons, and select family perks through its travel programs. Works well for families too, but the overall feel skews more polished and quiet than activity-centered.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want Waikiki convenience, beach proximity, and included resort-fee activities in a central location. Best value for travelers who are willing to trade central Waikiki immediacy for a more refined harborfront setting.

Rooms & Suites: Central Waikiki Practicality vs Sleeker Harborfront Style

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Room Style

Rooms at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani are designed for a practical Waikiki stay, with a large hotel footprint and refreshed accommodations in the Ainahau Tower.

  • Broad room inventory suited to couples, families, and groups
  • Refreshed Ainahau Tower guest rooms completed in Spring 2024
  • Best for travelers who want function, location, and Waikiki access over a secluded resort feel

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the better pick if your room is mainly a comfortable base for beach time, shopping, dining, and exploring Waikiki.

Prince Waikiki – Room Style

Prince Waikiki feels more contemporary and polished, with a stronger sense of place around harbor and ocean views rather than being directly in the busiest Waikiki core.

  • More refined, modern hotel atmosphere
  • Better for travelers who prioritize views and a quieter setting
  • Best for couples or adults traveling without a need to be steps from the central beach strip

If you want a sleeker room experience and a calmer harborfront mood, Prince Waikiki is likely to feel more elevated.

Dining & Drinks: Poolside Waikiki Casual vs More Polished Hotel Dining

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani centers on Splash Bar, the hotel's poolside restaurant and bar serving Hawaiian comfort food, tropical cocktails, and casual resort meals.

Expect:

  • Poolside dining with Hawaiian regional flavors and casual comfort food
  • Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and nightly live entertainment at Splash Bar
  • Easy access to nearby Waikiki restaurants when you want more variety

Prince Waikiki – Restaurants & Bars

Prince Waikiki is the better fit if you want the dining experience to feel more polished and hotel-focused, with a quieter setting away from the busiest Waikiki blocks.

  • More upscale overall dining mood
  • Better for couples and travelers who prefer a calmer evening setting
  • Good fit if dining atmosphere matters as much as location

If you want casual poolside Waikiki energy, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani works well; if you want a more refined dining feel, Prince Waikiki has the edge.

Pools & Beach: One-Block Waikiki Access vs Harborfront Calm

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Pool & Beach Scene

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has one outdoor pool and sits one block from Waikiki Beach, making it a convenient choice for guests who plan to split time between pool and sand.

  • Outdoor pool with complimentary towels, loungers, and umbrellas
  • Rentable private cabanas available exclusively to hotel guests
  • Best for travelers who want Waikiki Beach within an easy walk

Prince Waikiki – Pool & Beach Scene

Prince Waikiki leans more into its harborfront setting, making the pool and view experience feel calmer and less centered on the busiest Waikiki beach blocks.

  • Better for travelers who want a quieter waterfront atmosphere
  • Stronger fit for view-focused lounging than classic central Waikiki beach access
  • Good choice if you prefer a more relaxed setting over being one block from the sand

If direct Waikiki convenience matters most, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is easier; if you want a calmer waterfront feel, Prince Waikiki is more appealing.

Kids & Family: Family-Friendly Waikiki Base vs Quieter Upscale Stay

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Family Programming

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is an all-ages, family-friendly hotel with children welcome and resort-fee activities that can work well for families who want easy Waikiki days.

  • Cultural activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, hula lessons, and historic tours
  • Children under 18 may stay free using existing bedding through certain booking channels
  • Pool has a shallower section for children

Prince Waikiki – Family Programming

Prince Waikiki can suit families, but its overall personality is quieter and more polished, making it especially appealing for travelers who want a calmer hotel environment.

  • Works for families who prefer a less central Waikiki setting
  • Better for mixed-age groups that value views and a refined atmosphere
  • Less about built-in cultural programming and more about a relaxed hotel base

If you want more family-friendly activity built into the stay, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the more natural choice; if you want calm and polish, look to Prince Waikiki.

Price & Value: Which Waikiki Hotel Feels More Worth It?

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Value Snapshot

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani offers strong value when location is the priority: you are close to Waikiki Beach, shopping, dining, and included cultural activities.

  • Best for travelers who want central Waikiki convenience
  • Great if you will use the pool, cultural activities, fitness center, and beach proximity
  • Strong value for families and groups who want a practical all-ages Waikiki base

Prince Waikiki – Value Snapshot

Prince Waikiki is the better value if you care more about a refined atmosphere, harborfront views, and a quieter setting than being in the center of Waikiki.

  • Best for travelers who want a more polished hotel experience
  • Stronger for couples and view-focused stays
  • Worth it if you prefer calm surroundings over maximum centrality

Who Wins? Best Waikiki Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Central Waikiki Convenience
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani resort

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

Choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani if you want a central, all-ages Waikiki hotel with easy beach access, cultural activities, a pool deck, and a practical location.

Best for Harbor Views & Polish
Prince Waikiki resort

Prince Waikiki

Prince Waikiki is the better pick for travelers who want a quieter, more polished harborfront stay with a stronger emphasis on views and atmosphere.

Best for Families & First-Time Waikiki
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani resort

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

For families, first-time Waikiki visitors, and travelers who want to walk easily to the beach, dining, and shopping, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the more convenient choice.

Best for Quieter Waterfront Stays
Prince Waikiki resort

Prince Waikiki

If you want a calmer waterfront setting and a more refined hotel feel, Prince Waikiki is likely to feel more rewarding.

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Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

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