Hugging a 12-acre tropical garden with tranquil health spa, the Royal Hawaiian opens to a stately lobby reminiscent of the 1920s, when the hotel was originally built. Set on a private stretch of Waikiki Beach, the pink-themed hotel is popular with couples, families, and business travelers.

A grand, palm-fringed entrance leads to a lobby filled with Hawaiian quilts and memorabilia of old Waikiki. This historic wing shelters the hotels original elevator with mailbox, crooked rooms, and unsolved mysteries unsolved. A sea-view verandah opens to a courtyard shaded by a banyan tree, and to the beach beyond. Leisure travelers and celebrating couples are attracted to this hotel.

Behind a sculpture of Hawaiian sea turtles, a large flagstone lobby opens to a breezeway of shops, and to pools and beach beyond. Drawn to the convenience of an oceanfront central-Waikiki resort that offers great views and fine dining, celebrating couples, families, leisure- and business travelers and those who love the water.

Two feather-helmeted, granite sculptures guard the entryway to a central courtyard with comfortable wicker chairs and splashing waterfall. Upon arrival, guests are escorted to their rooms for private registration and introduction to the hotel's amenities. Celebrating couples, vacationers, and business travelers enjoy the calm, almost-residential atmosphere of this five-acre oceanfront resort that dates from 1917.

The large, meandering, two-level lobby is usually full of vacationing guests in bathing suits or T-shirts. Two restaurants and a bar are popular hangouts for drinks and casual meals most of the day and evening.

Guests entering the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa find a three-story, open-air atrium with orchids, palm trees, and waterfalls, all surrounded by shops. Check-in takes place in a spacious second-floor lobby. Across the street from Waikiki Beach and a block from the bazaar shops of the International Market Place, the 40-story resort hotel attracts couples and business and leisure travelers.

Located in the secluded Ko Olina Resort, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa is painted all-white to showcase extensive tropical gardens and landscaping. A 15-story atrium lobby with marble floors introduces the resort's gracious tranquility, enhanced by Hawaiian music and artwork. Broad steps lead from the lobby down to three linked saltwater ponds bordered by gardens and threaded by walkways.

Comprising a 29-story tower and two 11-story wings, the Sheraton is located on the former Ainahau Estate, once home to Princess Victoria Kaiulani. The hotel's spacious, Victorian-style lobby displays a portrait and photographs of the princess. Across the street from the beach, this casual hotel is popular with families and business and leisure travelers.

Set along five miles of secluded shoreline, coves, and bays, this 880-acre Oahu resort encapsulates the North Shore's natural beauty. Adjacent to the resort's east side is Kuilima Cove, protected by a reef from ocean swells for prime snorkeling and swimming. On the resort's west side is Turtle Bay, site of surfing tournaments.

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are offered check-in. Reading corners and a pool deck are retreats from the busy streets. Leisure travelers are drawn to the Hawaii hotel by its Waikiki location and restaurants. Conventioneers can walk to the Hawaii Convention Center, one block away, or use in-room Internet access (surcharge) and on-site meeting rooms to work at the Doubletree hotel.

Visiting faculty of the University of Hawaii mingle with leisure travelers, fitness enthusiasts, and celebrating couples at the quiet, oceanfront New Otani Kaimana, across from Kapiolani Park and within walking distance of Waikiki. They check in family-style in an open-air lobby, and take advantage of health, beach, and meeting facilities, as well as alfresco dining under ancient

Business, leisure, and family travelers register in the spacious lobby of this hotel, situated above three restaurants. All are drawn to this OHANAs central location, its low-key atmosphere that includes WiFi in the lobby plus an Internet caf, and the tropical pool away from busy Kalakaua Avenue.

• This hotel is in the center of Waikiki, three miles from downtown Honolulu.
• All rooms offer cable TV and compact refrigerators. Some have kitchenettes and city or ocean views.
• This hotel provides a sundeck with an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a poolside bar.

No aloha shirts here. Staffers are dressed to impress. Background music pulsates with contemporary rhythms. Hospitality is warm, gracious, and discreet.

Regulars return here loyally, drawn by the secluded-yet-convenient locale and the hushed, peaceful atmosphere where even corridor lighting is artfully muted. When the lobby's modern brass-and-glass pendulum clock chimes gentle musical notes, it sets the tone prevailing here: tasteful and tranquil.