11 Best Hotels in Chinatown Honolulu

Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii. It’s where the famous Waikiki Beach resides. However, there are other areas and districts we love to stay in while visiting Honolulu. Chinatown is one of those districts we admire. It’s part of Honolulu’s downtown. While searching for hotels in Chinatown Honolulu, we found some worthy stays at the heart of the district. We stayed in those downtown hotels several times. They were a walking distance from famous Chinatown spots such as the Plaza. Other times when they were busy, we stayed in nearby hotels that were also perfect. The common thing between all these accommodations is that they made us feel connected. The views were stunning from all these hotels.

In this review, we’re giving you a list of the best accommodation options that make reaching Chinatown Honolulu the easiest. There are luxurious hotels and affordable ones to suit different budgets. Hence, before planning your trip to Honolulu, consider staying in Chinatown. It’s a must-visit district in Honolulu, but staying there is also incredible.

Chinatown, At A Glance

Chinatown is a neighborhood in Honolulu that blends American and Chinese cultures. It isn’t the only Chinatown in the world; there are plenty of them in different countries. The USA alone has nearly 50 Chinatowns in different cities. Chinatown Honolulu is one of the most distinguished cities, thanks to its retro-modern vibes.

The district has artistic hubs and venues where several events are held every now and then. We love to attend such events to indulge in Chinese culture. There is also a famous temple with a large botanical garden where visitors can enjoy the greens. Cultural Chinese events are held in this temple. For a full Chinese experience, there must be some authentic Chinese food to try. Many restaurants there specialize in real Chinese food. Plus, visitors can buy tropical fruits, fresh veggies, meat, and seafood from the marketplace. We usually spend some time in this market to find the best deals.

AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu

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Most friendly staff. Our stay at the AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu was very cozy, thanks to the friendly staff there. It isn’t similar to other extravagant Marriott hotels in Hawaii, but it’s more than perfect. The hotel has a boutique and modern style. It’s relatively small, with fewer rooms, but it has better and more personalized services. Our room had very modern furniture and comfy plush beds. There was enough space in the room for our luggage. The working desk was also comfortable. We felt the room was spacious enough for more than two people.

We had breakfast at the hotel. It was very simple, yet delicious. We also loved their coffee; it had a very special aroma. Further, there were some pastries and delights to grab and go with specialty coffee at the hotel. They were baked fresh every day, and their smell was so enticing. We could either enjoy our morning coffee along with breakfast in the restaurant or get some snacks and start our trip in Chinatown immediately.

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Further, the location is perfect: in the city center and close to Waikiki Beach. The airport wasn’t far; we reached the hotel from the airport in a few minutes. We didn’t have lunch or dinner at the hotel, so we had to find some nearby restaurants. This was easy, thanks to the hotel’s great location and helpful staff. They gave us a list of the best restaurants that serve authentic Chinese food nearby.

Condotel AC by StayHawaii

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Best for groups. How about staying in a condo hotel instead of a traditional hotel? Condotel AC by StayHawaii is one of those venues that offer apartments with hotel services. We booked a one-bedroom apartment for two people. We had a twin-bed room with a floor-to-ceiling window. This was the best thing in our room as we could enjoy the view of the city and the ocean from our bedroom. Outside, the windows were also the same thing in the seating area. Our kitchen was American-style with high chairs. We enjoyed preparing our food while watching the hustle and bustle of the city from the large window. The fully equipped kitchen helped us to prepare whatever meals we wanted. Also, the washing machine was a game changer, especially for long vacations.

Outside our apartment was a shared lounge area similar to traditional hotels. The chairs were comfy, and the bar served nice drinks. However, we preferred sitting by the pool more. It was a medium-sized pool with lounge chairs for guests to sunbathe in the morning. This area was too cozy.

Apart from that, the condo’s location is perfect. We had the privilege of staying in Chinatown without paying too much. If you’re a group, you can share a two-bedroom apartment. You won’t pay a lot, but you’ll get lots of services. We got a clean apartment and free private parking at a rate we never found in Honolulu.
Are you looking for other cheap options? You might want to check out these best hostels in Honolulu.

The previous hotels are more than perfect, but our favorite hasn’t arrived yet. Before we reveal the top option among the best hotels in Chinatown Honolulu, we can not skip these accommodation venues. These hotels are very close, so consider their possible options.

Ala Moana Hotel

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Let’s head to a luxurious option near Chinatown. This is Ala Moana Hotel. There, we had many things to do before going out to explore the city. First, the outdoor pool also looked nice in the morning and evening. We had enjoyable moments by the pool lounging on the seats around. You shouldn’t skip swimming in this pool at least once in the morning. It was so relaxing and a good way to start our day.

For breakfast, Cafe 410 was open daily, offering various options. The breakfast was okay, but the dinner was better. We had our dinner at The Signature Prime Steak and Seafood restaurant. The food was delicious, especially seafood. The restaurant serves authentic Hawaiian food. If you’re staying at this hotel, you shouldn’t miss the food here. The Starbucks lounge is another area where we had midday snacks and coffee. It wasn’t complimentary to our stay, but we didn’t mind paying for such well-brewed coffee. Get more info about the dining options at the hotel from their official website.

We had lots of options there. The hotel is large and consists of two towers, each with different views. We had a room in the Waikiki Tower with a partial ocean view. From our room, we could see the famous Waikiki beach. Rooms on the high floors have more spectacular views. If you’re looking for an affordable stay in Waikiki Beach, you might want to check out our list of the best hostels in Waikiki Beach.

Pagoda Hotel

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We were looking for affordable hotels in Chinatown Honolulu to stay for a longer duration. We found a nearby hotel at Ala Moana near Chinatown. The Pagoda Hotel was perfect for our requirements. It’s a very affordable hotel with decent services. We got more than what we expected at such a price. The hotel serves breakfast, but it isn’t included in the rate. However, this wasn’t a big deal for us. We had several choices here. One option is to pay for breakfast at the hotel, and we got 50% discount vouchers when we booked our room. The breakfast we had was pretty good and worth the small amount we paid.

The other option was to go outside the hotel and find a good restaurant. Again, this was a nice option, too. The hotel was beside the Ala Moana shopping center, and many eating and drinking venues were around us. Walmart was also within walking distance of the hotel.

We loved the vibe of the hotel, although it wasn’t the same vibes as other more expensive hotels. The koi pond looked nice. We kept watching the koi and fed them several times during our stay. Further, the outdoor pool was moderate, with a number of seats that seemed reasonable for the size of the hotel. Relaxing by the pool was a ritual every afternoon.

The hotel isn’t luxurious; it’s more of a local hotel where we met many Hawaiian people from other cities. This was so helpful, as we had several conversations about the island, where to go, and what not to miss there. We think we’ll stay there again, as we have no complaints. Our room was spacious, with clean and simple furniture. Studios have a microwave and oven if you’re staying for a long time. You can check their official website for more room options.

Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa

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Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is a new hotel in this area. It was very obvious from the rooms, furniture, and amenities. It has modern furniture and spotless plush beds. All the rooms have good views, but the ocean views are certainly the best. We had a high-floor room to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the city and the ocean. The beach looked so close to our room’s window. It was close as we walked to the nearby Kahanamoku Beach.

Mara is a brand-new on-site restaurant where we indulged ourselves in a mouth-watering dinner. This restaurant served delicious food and had a very cozy setting. The bar offers casual seating, whereas the tables offer more of a classy fine dining experience. The menu had a wide variety of selections. We had some seafood that satisfied our taste buds. Don’t miss the desserts there!

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This hotel is so different from the previous one. You get what you pay for. It’s a 5-star hotel with all the premium facilities and amenities of luxurious hotels. Then, it’s your choice of what kind of stays you’re up to this time. We enjoyed the attentive and professional treatment. Whenever we needed replacement toiletries or other stuff in our room, even if it wasn’t time for that, we received what we wanted in minutes. Plus, the spa center was nothing less professional.

Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel

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Best view. Our room at the Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel had the best view we could dream of in this area. We booked a suite with an ocean view. The L-shaped window was very large. So, we had a panoramic view of the harbor and the ocean. Waking up every day on such a view was a dream. We could stay in our comfy bed for hours, watching the ships and boats going here and there. Even though we could see and feel the hustle and bustle of the city, our room was so quiet. We had calm nights and could sleep well despite the vital location of the hotel.

“The hotel has the best location at the centre of the city and at the same time, overlooking the ocean. Head to celing windows are very thoughtful of them. They made us feel like we were at the heart of the event.”

WOW Travel

The suite included a microwave and a refrigerator. Some rooms include a full kitchenette, so book these units if you’re staying for a while. We had one of these rooms as we wanted to limit our spending on food. The location was perfect for us as we could reach the heart of Chinatown in minutes. There, we visited restaurants and shopped for our needs before going back to our suite to prepare hot, delicious snacks. The kitchenette at the hotel had all the needed utensils and equipment to prepare whatever dishes we had a taste for.

The best hotel should have all the facilities guests are looking for during their vacation. This hotel checked all the boxes. It had an outdoor pool even though the nearest beach was less than five minutes by car. Although the outdoor swimming pool wasn’t large, we could enjoy a few laps on some days before leaving the hotel to explore the city. We noticed that the staff were keen on cleaning the pool every day. It was a big plus for us, and it encouraged us to use the pool more and more.

Our Verdict!

Confused and don’t know where to start? Maybe you should start with these couple of hotels. They’re the best in terms of certain features.

• Best for groups: Condotel AC by StayHawaii
• Most friendly staff: AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu
• Best view: Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel

Where to Stay near Chinatown, Honolulu?

Chinatown has different vibes from other districts and cities in Honolulu. It’s full of indie galleries and art hubs, and the authentic Chinese restaurants there are amazing. If you’re looking forward to indulging in such an experience, we recommend staying near Chinatown.

At the heart of the district, there are a few accommodation options. We stayed at some of them, such as AC by Marriott and Aston. They’re reasonable hotels with good views and great services. There are also some hostels nearby if you want cheaper options. The best thing about this area is that you won’t need private transportation. You can easily reach shops, restaurants, and historical spots. Ala Moana is another nearby area where we found some marvelous oceanview hotels. There is a beach named after the area. It’s a soft sandy beach with dazzling calm water suitable for swimming all year. The area has a large public park where we can exercise, play games, or unwind in fresh air all day.

Another option is to stay near Honolulu International Airport. This option is suitable for those on short trips. Some hotels are less than half a kilometer from the airport, and they’re very close to Chinatown.

What are the most important places to visit in Chinatown?

There are many historical places to visit in Chinatown, including The Buddhist Kuan Yin Temple. The Chinatown Culture Plaza is also worth visiting, especially during events and celebrations.

How old is Chinatown Honolulu?

There are many Chinatowns in the USA. Honolulu’s Chinatown was built back in the 1840s and 50s.

What is the best Chinatown to visit in the USA?

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and most renowned in the USA. To learn more, check out our list of the best Chinatowns in the world.