Royal Hawaiian Hotel Haunts
Royal Hawaiian Hotel Haunts
One of the most haunted hotels in Hawaii.
Beneath the bright sun and the gentle sway of palm trees, Royal Hawaiian Hotel hides its spooky shadows well. Known lovingly as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” this luxurious resort has welcomed presidents, royalty, and Hollywood stars since opening its doors in 1927. But behind its vintage charm and rosy stucco walls lies a story the hotel doesn’t often tell.
It isn’t on the brochure. You won’t find it in the hotel’s welcome packet. But it definitely is one of the most haunted hotels in Hawaii. Talk to longtime employees or listen closely to the whispers of seasoned travelers, and one room on the third floor always comes up.
Another haunted hotel in Hawaii
The hotel staff is professional, discreet—and careful with their words. Still, some admit there have been more than a few strange reports centered around that single room. Guests have called down to the front desk, confused and frustrated, saying they’re locked out of their room. But when hotel maintenance arrives to assist, the door opens without issue. Just a quiet click, as if the room decides to let them in.
Inside, the room looks like every other—immaculate and welcoming, cooled by central air. But several guests have noted something unsettling: a single cold spot in the room that never warms. It doesn’t sit near a vent. It ignores the thermostat. And even in the warmest months, the chill lingers in that one exact place, as though something invisible is standing there. Watching. But the most disturbing reports have nothing to do with malfunctioning doors or strange temperatures. They happen in the dead of night.
The Shadows of the Pink Palace
Guests have described restless sleep—tossing, turning, waking from vivid nightmares. At first, they chalk it up to jet lag. But when they roll over and open their eyes, they find a dark silhouette standing next to the bed. Always the same shape: tall, unmoving. A figure without features, positioned just a little too close.
The reaction is always the same. A startled jump. A light flicked on. A scan of the room that reveals nothing but empty space.
Security is called. The room is checked. No intruders. No malfunctioning lights. Just a shaken guest trying to make sense of a sleepless night and the weight of eyes that are no longer there.
Some wonder if this shadow belongs to someone from the hotel’s early days—someone who never checked out. The Royal Hawaiian hosted soldiers during World War II, survived decades of transitions, and remains one of the oldest hotels on the island still in operation. Its walls have seen celebrations, heartbreak, war, and wealth. Could something have lingered behind?
Of course, the hotel doesn’t comment on such rumors. For a place known for luxury and escape, stories of hauntings don’t fit the brand. Still, the third-floor room remains a topic among those who know Waikīkī’s haunted history. And in a city where tales of spirits and the supernatural are woven into local legend, the idea of a lingering presence doesn’t feel so far-fetched.
In Hawai‘i, not all ghosts are vengeful or malevolent. Some are simply lost. Some are protectors. Others are bound to a place, unable—or unwilling—to leave. Whatever presence resides in that room at the Royal Hawaiian, it doesn’t appear to mean harm. But it does want to be noticed.
So the next time you stroll past the Pink Palace, admire its elegance. Take in its history. But know this: in one of Waikīkī’s most iconic hotels, a room on the third floor may still be entertaining guests of its own.
And if you ever stay there… don’t forget to leave the light on.
Uncover More from Haunted Honolulu
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel may be the most haunted hotel in Hawaii, but it’s far from the only one. If stories of ghostly shadows and unexplained disturbances intrigue you, dive deeper into the mysteries of haunted Waikīkī and beyond with a Waikiki ghost tour. Our Honolulu ghost tours take you through the haunted places in Hawaii that visitors rarely see, from cursed landmarks to the hidden paths of the night marchers. Whether you're fascinated by true tales of the supernatural Honolulu or simply curious about the legends that linger in supernatural Hawaii, this is your invitation to walk among the spirits.