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Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian, the 'Pink Palace of the Pacific'

The historic Royal Hawaiian sits on Waikiki Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
The historic Royal Hawaiian sits on Waikiki Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The Royal Hawaiian as seen from the water.
The Royal Hawaiian as seen from the water.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The front entrance of The Royal Hawaiian.
The front entrance of The Royal Hawaiian.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Royal Hawaiian's Coconut Grove, where Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace once stood.
The Royal Hawaiian's Coconut Grove, where Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace once stood.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Grounds of The Royal Hawaiian, known as Coconut Grove.
Grounds of The Royal Hawaiian, known as Coconut Grove.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Looking up at The Royal Hawaiian from Cococnut Grove.
Looking up at The Royal Hawaiian from Cococnut Grove.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The front entrance of The Royal Hawaiian, circa 1927.
The front entrance of The Royal Hawaiian, circa 1927.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Guests celebrate the opening of The Royal Hawaiian at the Royal Gala on Feb. 1, 1927.
Guests celebrate the opening of The Royal Hawaiian at the Royal Gala on Feb. 1, 1927.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A bird's-eye view of The Royal Hawaiian's Malulani Pool and Waikiki Beach.
A bird's-eye view of The Royal Hawaiian's Malulani Pool and Waikiki Beach.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A chaise lounge-level view of the Malulani Pool.
A chaise lounge-level view of the Malulani Pool.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Guests of The Royal Hawaiian participate in a sunrise ritual, part of the resort's cultural activities.
Guests of The Royal Hawaiian participate in a sunrise ritual, part of the resort's cultural activities.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
A luau is held every Monday evening at The Royal Hawaiian, complete with hula dancers.
A luau is held every Monday evening at The Royal Hawaiian, complete with hula dancers.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Beach boys from a bygone era at The Royal Hawaiian.
Beach boys from a bygone era at The Royal Hawaiian.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The open-air Lower Lobby of The Royal Hawaiian opens up to the Pacific Ocean.
The open-air Lower Lobby of The Royal Hawaiian opens up to the Pacific Ocean.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
This map, found in the lobby, is an original piece of art from when The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927.
This map, found in the lobby, is an original piece of art from when The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The open-air main hall leading from the Pacific Ocean to The Royal Hawaiian's lobby.
The open-air main hall leading from the Pacific Ocean to The Royal Hawaiian's lobby.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The open-air main hall leading from The Royal Hawaiian's lobby to the Pacific Ocean.
The open-air main hall leading from The Royal Hawaiian's lobby to the Pacific Ocean.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Live orchids add to the decor of The Royal Hawaiian.
Live orchids add to the decor of The Royal Hawaiian.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The first Mai Tai served in Hawaii was poured by Trader Vic and served where The Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar is found today.
The first Mai Tai served in Hawaii was poured by Trader Vic and served where The Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar is found today.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Mai Tai Bar sits right on Waikiki Beach and is popular day and night.
The Mai Tai Bar sits right on Waikiki Beach and is popular day and night.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Beachside dining, day or night, at Surf Lani (breakfast and lunch) and Azure Restaurant (dinner).
Beachside dining, day or night, at Surf Lani (breakfast and lunch) and Azure Restaurant (dinner).
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Royal Hawaiian's beachside Surf Lanai serves breakfast and lunch, and transforms into Azure Restaurant for dinner.
The Royal Hawaiian's beachside Surf Lanai serves breakfast and lunch, and transforms into Azure Restaurant for dinner.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Azure Restaurant's indoor dining and bar, for dinner only.
Azure Restaurant's indoor dining and bar, for dinner only.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Royal Hawaiian's chefs are presenting four Epicurean Journeys throughout the year in celebration of the hotel's 90th anniversary.
The Royal Hawaiian's chefs are presenting four Epicurean Journeys throughout the year in celebration of the hotel's 90th anniversary.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The Royal Hawaiian's Bakery opened Feb. 1, 2017, and features freshly baked goodies in the morning and afternoon.
The Royal Hawaiian's Bakery opened Feb. 1, 2017, and features freshly baked goodies in the morning and afternoon.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Some of the goodies found at The Royal Hawaiian's new Bakery.
Some of the goodies found at The Royal Hawaiian's new Bakery.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Goodies from The Royal Hawaiian's new Bakery are packaged and ready to grab and go.
Goodies from The Royal Hawaiian's new Bakery are packaged and ready to grab and go.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The fitness room at The Royal Hawaiian is small yet functional.
The fitness room at The Royal Hawaiian is small yet functional.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Pashma boutique sits just off The Royal Hawaiian's lobby.
The Pashma boutique sits just off The Royal Hawaiian's lobby.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Waikiki Beachboy, a shop at The Royal Hawaiian, offers sundries, souvenirs and even bathing suits and coverups.
Waikiki Beachboy, a shop at The Royal Hawaiian, offers sundries, souvenirs and even bathing suits and coverups.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Hawaiian Quilt Collection is one of the shops found at The Royal Hawaiian.
Hawaiian Quilt Collection is one of the shops found at The Royal Hawaiian.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Pretty in pink at Accents, complementing The Royal Hawaiian's pink facade.
Pretty in pink at Accents, complementing The Royal Hawaiian's pink facade.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Accents, another shop at The Royal Hawaiian, offers beach-inspired souvenirs.
Accents, another shop at The Royal Hawaiian, offers beach-inspired souvenirs.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Classic Hawaiian colors and decor are found throughout the guest rooms at The Royal Hawaiian.
Classic Hawaiian colors and decor are found throughout the guest rooms at The Royal Hawaiian.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Detail of the wallpaper that decorates the guestrooms of The Royal Hawaiian - pineapples and flowers.
Detail of the wallpaper that decorates the guestrooms of The Royal Hawaiian - pineapples and flowers.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
Each of the original wooden guestroom doors in the historic building of The Royal Hawaiian is hand-carved with a unique Hawaiian scene.
Each of the original wooden guestroom doors in the historic building of The Royal Hawaiian is hand-carved with a unique Hawaiian scene.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
A bedroom in the King Kamehameha Suite.
A bedroom in the King Kamehameha Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Overlooking Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean from the lanai of the the Kamehameha Suite in the historic building.
Overlooking Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean from the lanai of the the Kamehameha Suite in the historic building.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The spacious lanai (or patio) of the Kamehameha Suite provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The spacious lanai (or patio) of the Kamehameha Suite provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The master bedroom with an adjoining sitting room in the Queen Kaahumanu Suite.
The master bedroom with an adjoining sitting room in the Queen Kaahumanu Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Traditional Hawaiian colors and decor complement the Queen Kaahumanu Suite's living room.
Traditional Hawaiian colors and decor complement the Queen Kaahumanu Suite's living room.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The dining and living rooms in the Queen Kaahumanu Suite overlook the Pacific Ocean.
The dining and living rooms in the Queen Kaahumanu Suite overlook the Pacific Ocean.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Attention to detail in the Queen Kaahumanu suite bathroom.
Attention to detail in the Queen Kaahumanu suite bathroom.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A Garden Suite in The Royal Hawaiian's historic building is quite spacious.
A Garden Suite in The Royal Hawaiian's historic building is quite spacious.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Tradewinds blow through the open-air hall that leads from The Royal Hawaiian's main lobby in the historic building to the Mailani Tower.
Tradewinds blow through the open-air hall that leads from The Royal Hawaiian's main lobby in the historic building to the Mailani Tower.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
The Mailani Lounge is accessible exclusively to guests staying in the Mailani Tower.
The Mailani Lounge is accessible exclusively to guests staying in the Mailani Tower.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The decor of this Mailani Tower oceanfront guestroom is clean and simple, directing all eyes to the Pacific Ocean.
The decor of this Mailani Tower oceanfront guestroom is clean and simple, directing all eyes to the Pacific Ocean.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A glimpse at a Mailani Tower Oceanfront Suite.
A glimpse at a Mailani Tower Oceanfront Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A Mailani Tower Loft Suite bedroom.
A Mailani Tower Loft Suite bedroom.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
A Mailani Tower Suite includes a sitting room.
A Mailani Tower Suite includes a sitting room.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Guest rooms can be reserved with one king bed or two queens.
Guest rooms can be reserved with one king bed or two queens.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The Historic Ocean Suite at The Royal Hawaiian offers plenty of space to spread out.
The Historic Ocean Suite at The Royal Hawaiian offers plenty of space to spread out.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The master bedroom in the Alii Suite.
The master bedroom in the Alii Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The Royal Hawaiian Suite's master bedroom.
The Royal Hawaiian Suite's master bedroom.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
The dining room in the Royal Hawaiian Suite.
The dining room in the Royal Hawaiian Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Understated elegance in the bedroom of the Royal Hawaiian Suite.
Understated elegance in the bedroom of the Royal Hawaiian Suite.
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
Tropical flowers add a splash of color at The Royal Hawaiian.
Tropical flowers add a splash of color at The Royal Hawaiian.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
View of Diamond Head from a balcony in the Mulwani Tower at The Royal Hawaiian.
View of Diamond Head from a balcony in the Mulwani Tower at The Royal Hawaiian.
Susan B. Barnes For USA TODAY
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