This hotel is Outrigger’s flagship property in Hawaii, and it lives up to that billing, especially after an extensive renovation in 2003. It’s elegant and upscale and right on the beach in the middle of Waikiki. Its comfortable rooms are enhanced with rich-looking wood furniture and appealing Hawaiian touches, such as nostalgic photos of Waikiki’s past and lamp bases in the shapes of hula dancers and pineapples. Through a cultural program, the hotel teaches guests how to do distinctively Hawaiian things, such as make leis, quilts, and music featuring ukuleles and slack-key guitars. The Outrigger’s many restaurants and bars include the lively Duke’s Canoe Club, one of the most popular gathering spots on Waikiki, and Chuck’s Steak House, which serves up prime USDA beef and fresh seafood in a pleasant beachfront dining room. The Society of Seven has performed in the Main Showroom for more than 30 years, dazzling audiences with performances as exciting as those on Broadway and in Las Vegas. The popular International Market Place is just across the street, but guests don’t have to leave the hotel for good shopping. Numerous stores and boutiques are located on-site—shops such as Coach Leatherwear; Banana Bay, which specializes in resort wear for men and women; and Lassen Galerie Waikiki, an art gallery featuring the work of Christian Reise Lassen, an internationally acclaimed artist. But the biggest draw, of course, is the beach, where guests can sunbathe in the warm sand, swim, take surfing lessons, ride in outrigger canoes, and much more.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Amenities:

• 530 rooms. High-speed Internet access. Three restaurants, five bars. Airport transportation available. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Spa.