An outdoor terrace at the lobby.

Trump International Hotel Waikiki: Quick Review

ByJay Young
An exterior view of the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
Exterior view of the Trump International Hotel Waikiki

About the Property

A decorative sign at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
The sign at the hotel entrance at Trump Hotel Waikiki

When I stayed at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki, it was hands down one of the nicest hotels in Honolulu. Back then, it was still called “Trump International Hotel Waikiki,” but now it has been rebranded as Ka Laʻi Waikiki Beach. Even though the name has changed, the memories I made there are still crystal clear. The place had this really elegant but laid-back vibe, like luxury without trying too hard, and it definitely made my trip to Hawaii extra special.

Location

You honestly could not ask for a better location. The hotel sits right at the edge of Waikiki, super close to the beach but just far enough away from the busiest and craziest parts. I loved being able to walk everywhere, shops, restaurants, the beach, all within minutes. Plus, it was a short hop to Ala Moana Center, which is basically the biggest outdoor shopping mall in the world.

Booking

For this trip, I actually booked through AAdvantage Hotels. If you have not heard of it, it is a booking site run by RocketMiles where you can earn American Airlines miles when you book your hotel. It is a pretty sweet setup because you can get both your AAdvantage miles as well as loyalty points if you play it right. That said, the site itself is kind of clunky. It is not the most user-friendly experience if I am being honest. But when you are earning extra miles and getting a five-star stay, it is hard to complain too much.

The Check-in Experience

The lobby at Trump International Hotel Waikiki with the check-in area in the back.
The lobby with the check-in area in the back

From the second I walked into the Trump Waikiki, the service just blew me away. Check-in was not just a quick “here’s your key,” someone actually personally escorted me to the elevators after I got my room info. It felt super personal and honestly made me feel like a VIP. It is those little moments that set a hotel apart, and Trump Waikiki really nailed it right from the start.

My Room At Trump International Hotel Waikiki

The living area in a Deluxe City View Room.
A view of the living area in the room
A bedroom in the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
The bed in the Deluxe City View Room
The desk area at a Deluxe City View Room.
The desk in the room

I booked a Deluxe City View Room, but honestly, it felt like a full-on suite. There was a whole separate sitting area where I could kick back, watch some TV, or just lounge around after a day in the sun.

The kitchenette was a total bonus too. It had a microwave, fridge, and dishwasher, which would be perfect for whipping up a quick breakfast or storing late-night snacks, if you’re staying for a while.

A view of the luxurious bathroom at a room in the hotel.
A view of the luxurious bathroom
The massive soaking tub in the hotel room.
The spacious soaking tub
Natura Bisse amenities offered at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
Natura Bisse toiletries were provided

And the bathroom was gorgeous. It had beautiful marble finishes everywhere, and they stocked it with Natura Bissé toiletries, which are spa-level fancy. I still remember how luxurious everything felt. It seriously made getting ready a treat.

Common Areas at Trump International Hotel Waikiki

The spacious lobby at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
The lobby was spacious with tall ceilings
An outdoor terrace at the lobby.
The outdoor terrace at the lobby
Hawaiian artworks on display at the lobby of the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
Hawaiian artworks were on display in the lobby

The lobby at Trump Waikiki was gorgeous. As you can see in the image, it had high ceilings, warm wood tones, giant comfy chairs, and this vibe that managed to be both really fancy and super welcoming at the same time. It felt like a grand hotel lobby should, with just the right amount of Hawaiian charm thrown in. Honestly, it was so nice that I found myself just hanging out there for a bit in the morning.

Facilities at Trump International Hotel Waikiki

A view of the infinity pool at the hotel.
A view of the infinity pool
More views of the infinity pool at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
More views of the infinity pool.
Loungers located by the infinity pool at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
Loungers were located conveniently by the poolside

The pool area was another major highlight. It is located on the sixth floor and has this super cool infinity-edge design that looks out over the city and the ocean beyond. It is not a giant pool, you are not going to swim laps or anything, but it is absolutely beautiful and perfect for lounging. Plus, the whole deck area is surrounded by lush plants, so it felt really private and peaceful. There was also a hot tub tucked away in the corner for a little extra relaxation. It was pure vacation mode.

Dining at Trump International Hotel Waikiki

In-room dining cheeseburger offered at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
The room service cheeseburger was amazing

For dinner, I got a burger through room service and it was incredible. Seriously, sometimes a good burger hits better than a five-course meal and this one was next-level juicy and flavorful.

Wai'olu Ocean Cuisine restaurant at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
The Wai’olu Ocean Cuisine restaurant

I also took a look at Wai’olu Ocean Cuisine, the hotel’s signature restaurant, but unfortunately did not get a chance to eat there. From what I could see, it looked amazing. Open-air terrace, killer ocean views, and a menu packed with fresh seafood. Definitely on my list for next time.

Conclusion: A memorable stay at Trump International Hotel Waikiki

The waiting area at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki.
My stay came to an end as I left the hotel via the waiting area on the first floor

All in all, my stay at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki, now Ka Laʻi Waikiki Beach, was unforgettable. The service, the room, the location, everything just clicked. Booking through AAdvantage Hotels may have been a little clunky, but the miles and perks made it totally worth it.

If you are thinking about heading to Waikiki and want a place that feels truly special, a mix of high-end luxury and relaxed island vibes, you honestly cannot go wrong with this hotel. I’m sure a few things have changed with Hilton taking over the hotel and rebranding it as Ka Laʻi Waikiki Beach (LXR Hotels & Resorts), but I doubt the beautiful decor has changed much, given that there was so little anyone would change about the beautiful property.

This concludes the first post for our brand-new travel blog site, RewardTrek Travel. Thanks for your viewership!