Discover The Modern Honolulu: An affordable full-service hotel with a luxurious pool just steps from the beach

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One of the most famous beach destinations in the U.S., Waikiki offers a winning blend of convenience (thanks to its location adjacent to Honolulu), a range of accommodations to suit various budgets, excellent restaurants and a family-friendly, if sometimes crowded, beachfront.

You could splurge on an expensive stay at a luxury resort like the famous and historic Royal Hawaiian. Or, you could opt to stay at The Modern Honolulu — one of a handful of full-service hotel options in the area that offer guests a high-quality experience at relatively affordable prices near the boundary of Waikiki and Honolulu.

The hotel originally opened in October 2010 as the Edition Honolulu (Ian Schrager’s boutique Marriott-partnered brand). About a year later, though, the owners parted ways with Marriott and rebranded it as The Modern Honolulu. These days, the hotel actually has a partnership with Hilton Grand Vacations, so you can redeem Hilton Honors points there; however, the award rates are exorbitant.

Here’s what you need to know about staying at The Modern Honolulu.

Quick take

Over a decade since it first opened as an understated but trendy Edition, The Modern Honolulu still showcases decor that, while starting to look slightly worn, evokes a sense of Schrager’s pared-down aesthetic.

The interior design features natural tones and textures, while the overall ambience remains laid-back yet polished. The Sunrise Pool area is particularly inviting, with its romantic lighting, wooden deck and elegant white umbrellas creating a classic vacation backdrop.

Related: The best Edition hotels in the world, according to Marriott Bonvoy loyalists

Although its location at the edge of Waikiki might feel a bit removed from the area’s other vacation resorts, a short walk will take you to the heart of the action. Despite being right off Ala Moana Boulevard, there was adequate soundproofing, so noise wasn’t a problem from my fourth-floor room.

Adults-only areas and a lack of kids club-style activities mean The Modern Honolulu is best geared toward couples or solo travelers looking for somewhere a little swankier to stay than your average beachfront hotel.

Getting there

The Modern Honolulu is at the northwestern edge of Waikiki, between the sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Ala Moana shopping center. You can walk along either the beach or the road, or you can take a quick car ride to the bustling heart of Waikiki, which offers numerous restaurants and more shopping opportunities.

You can reach The Modern Honolulu from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in approximately 20 to 30 minutes; Uber and Lyft rides cost about $30.

If you prefer to use public transportation, the number 20 bus runs every half hour or so most days between the airport and the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Hobron Lane — less than a block from the hotel. Budget at least an hour for this journey, depending on the time of day.

Booking details

For the best rates, book directly with the hotel. Introductory room rates at The Modern Honolulu start around $159 before taxes and the resort fee. During peak holiday travel, however, room rates soar to $500 per night.

You can also redeem Hilton Honors points to stay here, but when we checked the price calendar there were no standard room awards available. Premium room awards are plentiful but expensive, ranging between 71,000 and 358,000 points per night.

For my two-night September weekend stay, I paid $194 per night for a standard city-view terrace king room. All room rates at the hotel include a mandatory daily resort fee of $35 plus tax. This fee covers various amenities such as internet, two bottles of water per day, fitness and cultural activities, a 10% discount on the daily $24.95 self-parking fee and 25% off the rental of a daybed by the pool.

Even though I had a rate marketed directly by the hotel but via a corporate booking site, the property wouldn’t allow me to add my Hilton Honors membership number to the reservation since I didn’t book directly through a Hilton channel.

I paid for my room bill using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which earns 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel purchases. If you have a Hilton credit card, though, you might want to use that instead to rack up even more Hilton points for your stay.

Standout features

Drawbacks

The vibe

The Modern Honolulu instantly transports you to a vacation state of mind. The hotel buzzes with cheerful sun-seeking travelers mainly from from the mainland U.S. and Australia. Inside, the lobby sports a nautical theme, adorned with a surfboard mosaic. However, the peculiar octopus-headed mural in The Grove restaurant may catch you off guard.

Guests looking to hang out in the lobby can head over to the Study, which has a desk and chairs, a sofa and two computers with a printer, and is also a good spot for meeting up with friends before hitting the town.

Spread across three levels, the hotel’s public areas offer ample space for relaxation. One level is dedicated exclusively to adults, featuring a fitness center and the serene Sunset Pool for grown-up chill time. The lush tropical landscaping creates a jungle-like ambience in the heart of the city.

The room

Emerging from the dimly lit hallway, I was greeted by an expansive city-view terrace king room (340 square feet), flooded with sunlight. The pleasing contrast of the white walls, desk and daybed against the warm, rich wooden shutters created a visually striking combination. The comfortable king-size platform bed gave me a peaceful night’s sleep, although some pillows were noticeably lumpy.

The light switches were intuitive, and there were plenty of power outlets on both sides of the bed. The single chair tucked under the desk is functional for work, though it shared the tabletop with the microwave, coffee machine and TV. There was an empty minifridge so you could store your own food or beverages, an ice bucket and a Keurig coffee maker with Hawaiian Paradise coffee pods provided.

While my room overlooked a parking lot, I could still catch glimpses of the mountains to the north and the Pacific to the south. Although I would have loved to spend more time in this outdoor space, the rusted chairs and the noise from Ala Moana Boulevard were distracting, so I spent most of my outdoor time by the pools.

The bathroom featured a large single sink with ample counter space, a toilet and large-format Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries in the shower-tub combination. There were plenty of towels, but the hotel didn’t provide guests with any further noteworthy bathroom amenities.

While I didn’t bother escalating it to the front desk, the shower drain struggled to keep up with the powerful water pressure from the shower head. This necessitated frequent pauses during my showers to allow the water level to drain properly.

Food and drinks

The Modern Honolulu has just a single poolside bar and restaurant called The Grove. While the taste of everything I ordered was enjoyable, the experience would have been elevated with ceramic dishware and metal utensils instead of disposable containers, utensils and cups.

Breakfast is available each morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m., and it features several choices, such as smashed avocado toast on pumpernickel rye bread with a poached egg ($18). For those craving something sweeter, the signature Chantilly cream French toast is a satisfying option ($14).

The all-day menu includes a range of tasty dishes, including three flatbread pizzas ($15 each), fish tacos made with the catch of the day ($18) and barbecue mango and Thai chili pork ribs ($30).

Happy hour takes place daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes light happy hour appetizers ranging from $5 to $15, accompanied by the delicious burrata and beet salad ($18). The sashimi-grade ahi poke nachos proved to be a highlight ($14).

Cocktail cravers will appreciate the Modern’s selection of specialty drinks, such as their unique “deconstructed” mai tai and the refreshing frozen coconut mojito ($17 each). During happy hour, the bar offers a signature cocktail and a variety of wines available by the glass at lower prices.

Without a large dinner menu, The Grove is probably better for enjoying drinks and appetizers during happy hour. Then, head into Honolulu or Waikiki for a full meal.

The Modern Honolulu’s focal point is its outdoor areas. One of the highlights is the adults-only, 6-inch-deep Sunset Pool. Here, you’ll find lounge chairs both on the deck and in the water. The hotel has even added sand around this pool area to create a beach-like ambience.

Down one level, the Sunrise Pool is where most of the activity takes place. A pool bar, a convenient towel stand, outdoor showers and daybeds are available. The attentive staff members cater to the needs of the numerous vacationers and were always on hand to provide complimentary water.

In addition to the pool areas, the hotel houses a decently equipped fitness center. During my two visits, I never experienced any wait times to use the equipment, which included various cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals, as well as free weights and stretching balls.

Daily housekeeping is available, and I scheduled my service for a one-hour afternoon slot since I had work to do in the morning. As I left my room and walked to the elevator in the afternoon, the cheerful housekeeper asked if I was ready for service.

At the driveway, I encountered a team of bellhops who offered to assist me with my luggage. Although I typically prefer handling my bags, their help was greatly appreciated as I maneuvered the staircase between the lobby and driveway with my hands full.

The Modern Honolulu’s spa has unfortunately been closed for several years, and there are no indications of it reopening in the near future.

While there were a few families enjoying the pool, the overall atmosphere at the hotel primarily caters to couples. However, during lunchtime, children can order from a dedicated kids menu. The menu includes hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken fingers and cheeseburgers. These entrees cost between $9 and $10 and come with a side of fries.

Out and about

The Modern Hotel Honolulu provides convenient access to popular attractions such as the Ala Moana shopping center and the main stretch of Waikiki Beach. Just a block from the hotel, you’ll discover the highly rated Tropical Tribe Ala Moana, known for its delicious acai bowls. Additionally, the hotel recommends Luxure Nail Spa & Hair Salon, offering affordable manicures for $20 and pedicures for $30.

Lappert’s Kauai Pie ice cream has long been my favorite for a cold treat after a day in the sun, featuring a delightful blend of coffee, macadamia nuts, coconut shavings and chocolate swirls. This ice cream parlor, known for its island-inspired flavors, is only five minutes from the back pedestrian entrance of The Modern Honolulu, within the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Local vendors sell handcrafted Hawaiian items, including leis and jewelry, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s shops as well. As I arrived on a Friday evening, I settled on the complex’s grass near the beach and enjoyed a fireworks display.

The hotel’s main entrance has a flight of stairs leading up from the driveway, so guests with mobility needs can enter through the parking garage via a fairly steep ramp.

Once in the lobby, you can reach all the hotel’s public areas by elevator; however, there are several unavoidable steps to the adults-only Sunset Pool.

At the family-friendly Sunrise Pool, the hotel offers an electric chair lift for step-free access to the pool.

Finally, the hotel does offer a variety of mobility-accessible room and suite types with features like roll-in showers or accessible tubs, but you should call directly to ensure that the room type you book includes the features you might need.

Checking out

The Modern Honolulu’s spacious rooms, attentive staff, casual but delicious food and beverage options, and beautiful pools made it an appealing home base for a stay in Waikiki. However, it’s time for the hotel to refresh the worn room furniture and consider adding to its dining venues.

For those seeking a cost-conscious hotel just outside the hectic center of Waikiki, though, The Modern Honolulu is still a great option. With its proximity to one of the world’s most renowned beaches, comfortable accommodations, great city views and clubby but not over-the-top pool ambience, the hotel is a definite crowd-pleaser for couples visiting Hawaii.

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