The first General Manager was Arthur Benaglia, who presided over a staff of 300, including ten elevator operators and lobby boys dressed in “Cathayan” costume. What is now the Monarch Room was the Persian Room (for dining), and the present Regency Room was the theatre-ballroom.

The Hotel, which ushered in a new era in luxurious resort living in Hawaii for the small but growing number of wealthy tourists, had Waikiki Beach much to itself. Nearby were the Moana and Seaside Hotels, and a hotel which opened in 1907 and later became the Halekulani.

King Kamehameha I had used the area as a playground after he conquered Oahu, and Queen Ka'ahumanu had her summer palace in the coconut grove where the “Pink Palace” was built.

The Hotel cost $4 million and took one and a half years to build. The six-story, 400-room structure was of a Spanish-Moorish style that was popular during the period, influenced by screen star Rudolph Valentino and his celluloid Arab exploits. Mission overtones were supplied by cupolas that resemble bell towers. The architects were Warren and Wetmore of New York, who were well-known in hotel design.

The hotel had been the brainchild of Ed Tenney, who headed the “big five” firm of Castle and Cooke and Matson Navigation, and Matson manager William Roth. Matson and Territorial Hotel Co., which owned the Moana, were joint owners. The owners built The Royal Hawaiian as a luxurious hotel for Matson passengers. It was hoped that the opening would coincide with the maiden voyage of a new Matson ship, the Malolo, but the vessel didn’t arrive until November of 1927.

In those early days, guests would stay longer than they usually stay today. They would bring numerous steamer trunks, servants, and even their Rolls Royce. A legend was developing -- but all was not well. In 1929 came the stock market crash. Tourist numbers to Hawaii, which peaked at 22,190 in 1929 gradually dropped to 10,000 in 1932 and did not reach 22,000 again until 1936.

Then came World War II with barbed wire installed along Waikiki Beach. In January 1942, the Hotel was leased to the Navy as a rest and recreation center for those serving in the Pacific Fleet. In October 1945, the hotel was given back to Matson, which re-opened it to the public in February 1947, after spending nearly $2 million on renovation.

ITT Sheraton bought the hotel in June 1959 from Matson, and in 1969 added the Royal Tower wing, bringing the room total to 526. The hotel was sold in 1975 to Kyo-ya Company, Ltd., with ITT Sheraton continuing to operate it under a management contract.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, affectionately known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” is one of the world’s grand hotels and is certainly a legend in its own time. Majestically set on 10 acres of prime Waikiki beachfront with all of Waikiki’s excitement at its doorstep, The Royal Hawaiian remains the Pacific’s most gracious resort. Only at The Royal will you experience such a unique historic location combined with modern services to meet the needs of our valued guests.

The Historic Building’s 384 luxurious guest rooms and suites are available in four categories: Historic Wing and Historic Garden rooms offer views overlooking the Coconut Grove, the Porte Cochere or the Royal Nursery; Ocean rooms offer spaciousness plus the old world charm of high ceilings; Luxury Ocean rooms are larger, more luxuriously appointed, and include a sitting area. Three prestige suites, each offering a fabulous oceanfront view, are located in the Historic Building.

The beachfront Royal Tower added 193 guest rooms including six split-level and several penthouse suites, plus a prestige suite. All Tower rooms and suites offer marvelous oceanfront views and private lanais (balconies).

All guest rooms are appointed with air conditioning, color televisions, refrigerators and electronic safes.

The classical elegance of the guest rooms and public areas in The Royal Hawaiian Hotel has been preserved through an on-going renovation and redecorating program. Today, as in the past, the guests of The Royal Hawaiian can be assured of gracious service and luxury class accommodations.

Hotel Manager:
Jon Gersonde

Address:
2259 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

Mail Address:
P.O. Box 8559
Honolulu, Hawaii 96830

Phone: (808) 923-7311

Fax: (808) 924-7098

Director of Sales & Marketing:
Lisa Morrill

Sales Office Address:
2255 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Sales Office Phone:
(808) 931-8400
Sales Office Fax:
(808) 931-8191

Public Relations Manager:
Suzy Ford

(808) 931-8408