To Get a True Taste of Town, Meet Me At The Pagoda

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to stay at the newly relaunched Pagoda Hotel in Honolulu. This 1964 landmark has always been known as the locals' hotel for its affordable kama'āina rates and local-style charm. Now, with a fresh modern look and an evolving neighborhood around it, the hotel gives visitors a reason to stay outside of Waikīkī for a different perspective of what residents call Town.

On April 15, Pagoda Hotel invited friends and family to see the reveal of its recent renovations. Located just outside Waikīkī in the Ala Moana neighborhood that many are now calling Midtown, the 199-room, 12-story Honolulu hotel offers a budget-friendly stay amid dozens of independent restaurants that embody local Hawaiʻi.

Photo courtesy of Pagoda Hotel.

Residents who grew up on Oʻahu remember coming to Pagoda Hotel as kids to feed the koi and eat tempura shrimp at the buffet. Residents from neighboring islands stay here when they come to visit family or take a short vacation. This was always by design.

Original owner Herbert T. Hayashi wanted to create a place centrally located for the kama'āina who not only couldn't afford, but couldn't relate to, Waikīkī's beachfront hotels catering to tourists. Instead of a lively beach bar, Pagoda Hotel has tranquil koi ponds and Japanese-inspired gardens surrounded by pagoda-style lanterns. Instead of a $20 Bloody Mary, Pagoda Hotel has a $5 breakfast featuring Punalu'u taro sweet bread French toast, eggs and Portuguese sausage. In its heyday, this is where local families celebrated weddings, graduations and birthdays — and where the phrase "Meet me at the Pagoda" became part of the local lexicon.

Photo courtesy of Pagoda Hotel.

General Manager Chue Yang's favorite thing about the hotel is the koi. Every morning at 10 a.m., guests can gather by the pond to help feed more than 200 bright orange, yellow and spotted koi. There used to be about 3,000 koi in the pond, along with sea turtles and even a few ulua, Yang said. Guests could purchase small packets of feed from the hotel and feed them at any time of day. Over time, however, the volume of sea life in the pond negatively impacted the water quality and the hotel had to start over completely. Now a dedicated team closely monitors the koi and feeding times are strictly regimented.

Photo by Sarah Burchard.

The biggest draw to staying at Pagoda Hotel is its proximity to dozens of restaurants representing a wide range of cuisines. Located a block from Ke'eaumoku Street — which locals call "Korea-moku" — the area is home to several Korean restaurants, markets and dessert shops, plus Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Thai and more. On one side of Pagoda is Midtown Eats, a multi-ethnic food hall that opened this year, and on the other is You Me Mart, a Korean grocery store that also houses Tous les Jours Bakery Cafe and a soon-to-open food hall called K-Town. More independent spots can be found farther down near Kapiʻolani Boulevard, not to mention Ala Moana Center — the world's largest open-air shopping center — and Ala Moana Beach Park, both within walking distance.

For now, Pagoda offers breakfast only — at a great value! — but later this year, iconic plate-lunch spot Rainbow Drive-In, Korean bakery Paris Baguette and Korean convenience store concept CU Convenience will move in.

Panaluʻu taro sweet bread french toast at Pagoda Hotel. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

"The Pagoda sits at the crossroads of so many Asian cultural influences that shaped Ke'eaumoku," said Michelle Jaime, president and creative director of The Vanguard Theory. "Our goal was to reinterpret that heritage through a contemporary lens, using contrasts of old and new, soft and bold, organic and structured, to create something that quietly honors those traditions throughout the property."

Photo courtesy of Pagoda Hotel.

What Guests Can Expect at the Newly Refreshed Pagoda Hotel

• New guestrooms feature upgraded furnishings and original artwork by kama'āina artist Lauren Trangmar, inspired by byōbu — traditional Japanese folding screens — and influenced by shanshui, a classical Chinese landscape style featuring native flora and fauna.

• The koi ponds have undergone a major restoration, including structural improvements and a new walkway connecting the gardens to the pool deck. The ponds are now home to more than 200 decorative koi handselected by Kodama Koi Farm.

• Revitalized corridors and exterior updates complement the hotel's original architecture throughout the property.

• The lobby features a curated art wall developed in collaboration with renowned local photographer Zak Noyle, with works by Margaret Rice, Nick Kuchar and Punky Aloha alongside archival imagery honoring the Pagoda's legacy.

• New Pagoda-branded lifestyle merchandise and a selection of local snacks — including favorites from Aloha Creamery and Hawaiian Pie Company — are available for guests.

More to Know About Staying at Pagoda

• Location: 1525 Rycroft St. Honolulu, Oʻahu

• Check in: 11 a.m.

• Check out: 4 p.m.

• Amenities: WIFI, local newspaper, in-room safe, instant coffee & tea in room, breakfast vouchers for $5 +tax breakfast.

• Parking: $40 per day.

• Pool hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Koi feeding: Daily at 10 a.m.

• Pagoda Mini Mart: Open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Pagoda Hotel is a smoke-free hotel.