Hotel Renew Waikiki Review: What to Know Before Booking

If you are looking for a place to stay in Waikiki that puts the beach first and the hotel amenities second, this review covers what you need to know. The boutique property sits half a block from the sand and consistently scores around 4.4 out of 5 on Tripadvisor based on more than 3,200 traveller reviews. We have analysed guest feedback, editorial reviews, and current pricing from multiple booking platforms to give you a clear, fact-based picture before you book.

Last checked: 2026-08-18

Address: 129 Paoakalani Avenue, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii · Beach access: Half a block to Waikiki Beach · In-room TV: 50-inch flat-screen · Wi-Fi: Free · Phone: 808-687-7700 · Email: aloha@hotelrenew.com

Key facts at a glance

Hotel Renew reviews

Across major booking and review platforms, Hotel Renew earns consistently strong scores. Tripadvisor shows an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, with sub-scores of 4.3 for Rooms, 4.4 for Value, and 4.4 for Cleanliness, based on more than 3,200 reviews. Expedia rates it 9.0 out of 10 (“Wonderful”) from over 1,000 verified guest reviews, and Hotels.com (Canadian site) also gives it 9.0 out of 10, describing it as a “great value compared to other options in the area.”

Room cleanliness and comfort

Multiple reviewers describe the rooms as clean and comfortable. Editorial sources like Fodor’s Travel note that rooms feature muted tones and mid-century modern furnishings. However, some guests on Tripadvisor have flagged that parts of the rooms feel dated, and a few mention maintenance concerns. A 2022 review on TravelUpdate called the property “petite and comfortable” and deemed it “well worth the stay.”

Noise and atmosphere

Because of its location on Paoakalani Avenue — a street that connects to Kalakaua Avenue — some reviewers on Tripadvisor mention street noise, particularly in lower-floor rooms facing the road. The hotel’s design is intentionally minimalist and calm; Fodor’s calls it “a calm alternative to the big, bustling resorts that dominate the area.” This trade-off between quiet boutique atmosphere and occasional street noise appears consistently in guest feedback.

The pattern: guests who valued peace appreciated the hotel’s size and design; those sensitive to traffic noise found it disruptive.

Hotel Renew location

The hotel’s location at 129 Paoakalani Avenue is its strongest asset. Fodor’s Travel describes it as “just steps from Hawaii’s most famous stretch of sand,” and the New York Times noted it is about a block from the shoreline. Outoria’s 2025 review called it a “killer location for a tenth of the price of some of the other resorts.” The hotel sits approximately 5.5 km from the centre of Honolulu and about 14 km from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Neighbourhood character

The immediate area around Paoakalani Avenue is quieter than the central Waikiki strip along Kalakaua Avenue. You are close enough to walk to the beach, restaurants, and shops, but far enough to avoid the densest crowds. The Fathom travel article encourages readers to “skip the chains” in favour of the hotel’s serene atmosphere and beach proximity.

The bottom line: location is the single most-cited reason guests recommend this hotel, especially for travellers who plan to spend most of their time outside the property.

Hotel Renew parking

Based on the sources reviewed, official property materials and editorial reviews do not clarify whether Hotel Renew offers on-site parking or what fees apply. Several user reviews on Tripadvisor mention parking as an additional cost, but the exact rate is not confirmed in the materials we analysed. We recommend contacting the hotel directly at 808-687-7700 or emailing aloha@hotelrenew.com to confirm current parking availability and pricing before your stay.

The trade-off: given the hotel’s walkable location near the beach, many guests find they do not need a car during their stay, which reduces the parking concern.

Hotel Renew pool

Hotel Renew does not have a swimming pool. This is confirmed by Fodor’s Travel, which lists the absence of a pool as a key limitation. For guests who prioritise swimming, the hotel makes up for this by being half a block from Waikiki Beach, and it offers complimentary beach gear — including towels, chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel equipment — so you can easily spend the day at the ocean.

The catch: If a swimming pool is a non-negotiable amenity for your trip, Hotel Renew is unlikely to be the right fit, and you may want to consider one of the alternatives listed in the next section.

Hotel Renew photos

Images of Hotel Renew are available through its official website and Instagram account, where the hotel posts photos of rooms, the lobby, and beach proximity. Booking platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com also feature extensive photo galleries submitted by the hotel and past guests. Editorial reviews from TravelUpdate and Fathom include original photographs showing the minimalist decor, the lobby bar, and the short walk to the beach.

Room images

Photos show rooms with muted colour palettes, mid-century modern furniture, and large windows. The 50-inch flat-screen TV and work desk are visible in most standard room photos. Room sizes appear compact — consistent with the 240–321 sq. ft. range.

Exterior and beach proximity

The hotel facade is a modest white-and-glass structure typical of Waikiki’s smaller hotels. Images from guest reviews confirm that the beach is indeed a very short walk away, with many reviewers posting photos of the ocean taken from the hotel’s immediate vicinity.

Hotel Renew Honolulu

Hotel Renew is located within the Waikiki neighbourhood of Honolulu, approximately 5.5 km from the city’s central business district. The New York Times 2010 review notes that the hotel opened in 2008 within the former Ocean Tower property, with 72 rooms designed as a “contemporary, budget-friendly boutique hotel.” Over the years, it has maintained its mid-range pricing niche compared to the larger oceanfront mega-resorts.

Transport options

The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park, and roughly 20 minutes on foot to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The Waikiki Trolley stops along Kalakaua Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the hotel, providing a convenient way to explore Honolulu without a car. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive under normal traffic conditions.

Why this matters: For guests who plan to explore beyond Waikiki, the hotel’s location provides easy access to public transport and major roads without being on the busiest strip.

Hotel Renew matcha

Based on the sources reviewed, there is no mention of specific matcha offerings at Hotel Renew. The hotel’s food and beverage offerings are limited to a small lobby bar and a grab-and-go food station, but no menu details — including matcha — are available in the materials we analysed. If you are looking for a hotel with a dedicated matcha or speciality coffee program, this property may not meet that expectation.

The bottom line: the hotel’s food and beverage options are minimal; guests should plan to eat and drink at nearby Waikiki cafés and restaurants.

Hotel Renew: room and property specifications

“A calm alternative to the big, bustling resorts that dominate the area.” — Fodor’s Travel

“Affordable, cute, boutique wellness hotel… skip the chains.” — Fathom

“Petite and comfortable… well worth the stay.” — TravelUpdate