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

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Choosing between Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, amenities, 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 who want a central Waikiki stay one block from the beach, with an all-ages atmosphere and strong value.

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort resort
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Beachfront • Waikiki • Polished Resort Feel

Better for travelers who want a more polished beachfront Waikiki resort experience with a stronger oceanfront setting.

Quick Verdict: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

If you want a practical, well-located Waikiki base with refreshed rooms, cultural activities, and easy access to dining, shopping, and the beach, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the better fit.

If your priority is staying directly on the sand with a more resort-like beachfront feel, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort has the edge.

Bottom line: choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for value, central Waikiki convenience, and an easy all-ages stay; choose OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort for the stronger beachfront resort experience.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani vs OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – At a Glance

Category Sheraton Princess Kaiulani OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Overall Vibe Classic, all-ages Waikiki hotel with a lively central location, refreshed tower rooms, and a practical resort-style setup. More polished beachfront Waikiki resort with a stronger oceanfront vacation feel and a more premium setting.
Location At Kalakaua and Kaiulani Avenue, about one block from Waikiki Beach and close to shopping, dining, and entertainment. Set along Waikiki Beach, better for travelers who want to be directly on the ocean rather than a short walk away.
Rooms & Suites Large Waikiki hotel with refreshed Ainahau Tower rooms, a mix of towers and wings, and straightforward accommodations for couples, families, and groups. Better suited to travelers who want a more upscale beachfront room experience and are willing to pay for the setting.
Dining Splash Bar is the main on-site restaurant and bar, serving poolside Hawaiian comfort food, tropical cocktails, and live evening entertainment. Stronger pick if you want a more complete beachfront dining-and-drinks atmosphere built around the resort setting.
Pools & Beach One outdoor pool with complimentary towels, loungers, umbrellas, and rentable cabanas; Waikiki Beach is a short walk away. Better beach positioning, with the biggest advantage being direct access to the Waikiki shoreline.
Kids & Family All-ages, family-friendly hotel with cultural activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, and hula lessons; children are welcome. Works well for families who want a beachfront Waikiki resort, while also appealing to couples who value the oceanfront location.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want Waikiki convenience, resort-fee inclusions, and a central location without paying primarily for beachfront positioning. Best value for travelers who will use the beachfront location enough to justify the more premium resort feel.

Rooms & Suites: Central Waikiki Practicality vs Beachfront Polish

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Room Style

Rooms at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani are best understood as practical Waikiki accommodations in a large, all-ages hotel. The refreshed Ainahau Tower gives the property a more updated feel, while the overall draw is location and value.

  • Refreshed Ainahau Tower rooms completed in Spring 2024
  • Good for couples, families, and groups who want a central Waikiki base
  • Three-building layout including Ainahau Tower, Princess Wing, and Kaiulani Wing

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the better pick if you want a convenient Waikiki hotel room and plan to spend plenty of time out exploring the beach, shops, and restaurants nearby.

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – Room Style

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort has the advantage for travelers who want their room choice tied more closely to a beachfront resort experience. The setting feels more premium because the oceanfront location is the main feature.

  • Better for guests who prioritize a beachfront resort setting
  • More appealing if ocean proximity matters more than pure value
  • Best for travelers who want a more polished Waikiki stay

If you want the stay to feel more like a classic beachfront Waikiki vacation, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the stronger room-and-setting choice.

Dining & Drinks: Poolside Casual vs Beachfront Resort Atmosphere

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani centers on Splash Bar, the hotel's poolside restaurant and bar. It is casual, convenient, and especially useful for easy breakfasts, relaxed lunches, tropical drinks, and low-key evening entertainment.

Expect:

  • Poolside Hawaiian comfort food and tropical/tiki cocktails
  • Live entertainment in the evening at Splash Bar
  • A casual resort dress code with nothing formal required

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – Restaurants & Bars

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the better dining pick if you want the meal experience to feel more connected to Waikiki Beach itself. The appeal is less about convenience and more about the beachfront resort atmosphere.

  • Stronger setting for oceanfront drinks and meals
  • Better fit for couples who want a more scenic resort evening
  • Ideal if dining atmosphere matters as much as the menu

If you want the easiest casual poolside option, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani works well; if you want a more beachfront dining feel, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is usually the better match.

Pools & Beach: Short Walk to Waikiki vs Direct Beachfront

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Pool & Beach Scene

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has one outdoor pool, with complimentary towels, loungers, umbrellas, and rentable cabanas available to hotel guests. Waikiki Beach is close by, but the hotel is not directly on the sand.

  • One outdoor swimming pool with a shallow section for children
  • Complimentary pool towels, loungers, and umbrellas
  • Best for travelers who are happy walking a block to Waikiki Beach

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – Pool & Beach Scene

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort wins this category for travelers who want the beach to be the centerpiece of the stay. Its beachfront location gives it a more classic Waikiki resort feel.

  • Direct Waikiki Beach setting
  • Better for beach-first travelers and sunset-focused stays
  • Stronger choice if you want less separation between hotel and shoreline

If direct beach access is a top priority, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the clear winner; if a short walk is fine, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani can offer better overall value.

Kids & Family: All-Ages Waikiki Base vs Beachfront Family Appeal

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Family Programming

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is an all-ages, family-friendly hotel with children welcome. The strongest family appeal is the central location, cultural activities, and simple access to Waikiki Beach without needing a car for every outing.

  • Children of all ages are welcome
  • Activities include lei-making, ukulele lessons, hula lessons, and historic tours
  • Pool area includes a shallower section suitable for children

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – Family Programming

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is also a strong fit for families who want the ease of a beachfront Waikiki stay. It is especially appealing when beach time is the main plan each day.

  • Better for families who want to be directly on Waikiki Beach
  • Good for multi-generational trips where location matters most
  • Also appealing for couples who want the same beachfront convenience

For families focused on value and walkable Waikiki convenience, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani makes sense; for families who want the beach right there, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the better fit.

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

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – Value Snapshot

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani offers the most value when you want a central Waikiki location, resort-style amenities, and an all-ages atmosphere without making beachfront placement the deciding factor.

  • Best for travelers who want to stay near Waikiki Beach at a more practical price point
  • Great if you will use cultural activities, fitness access, and the central location
  • Strong value for families and groups who prioritize walkability over oceanfront positioning

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – Value Snapshot

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the better value if your idea of value is paying for a more premium beachfront setting and spending a lot of time near the water.

  • Best for travelers who want direct Waikiki Beach access
  • Stronger for couples and families who want a more polished resort feel
  • Worth it if the beachfront location is central to your trip

Who Wins? Best Waikiki Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Value & Walkability
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani resort

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

Choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani if you want a central, all-ages Waikiki hotel with a short walk to the beach, cultural activities, and a more value-focused stay.

Best for Beachfront Stays
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort resort

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the better pick if you want a beachfront Waikiki resort with a more polished vacation feel and easier access to the shoreline.

Best for Central Waikiki Convenience
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani resort

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

For families, groups, and first-time Waikiki visitors who care most about location, walkability, and practical comfort, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is a smart choice.

Best for Oceanfront Resort Atmosphere
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort resort

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

If you want the hotel itself to feel more tied to the oceanfront experience, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is the stronger match.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close