Elvis slept here: Inside the luxurious Waikiki resort he made world-famous

Elvis loved quite a few things: luxury cars, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and Hawaii. The King of Rock and Roll spent nearly 20 years of his life visiting Hawaii, and more specifically, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, an iconic resort that’s still open today — and brimming with fellow Elvis fans who want a glimpse into the King’s past.

The resort has an elite roster of famous fans who’ve roamed its halls, from Barack Obama to Ronald Reagan to Michael Jackson. But Elvis is regarded as the superstar who put this hotel on the map, having filmed “Blue Hawaii” on its property in 1961 and returning frequently over the course of two decades.

As you can imagine, the hotel has embraced the iconic connection. Visitors can explore the resort’s timeline wall, which features photos of Presley during his stays, information about the star, and memorabilia from his various visits.

Why did Elvis Presley love this hotel?

Initially, the Hilton Hawaiian Village served as the filming location for Elvis’s movie “Blue Hawaii.” There aren’t many reports on why Elvis loved this specific hotel, but it’s the only one he stayed at while visiting Hawaii (which he did quite a bit).

Kathleen King, an art gallery owner on Waikiki Beach, met Elvis in 1966 while he was filming the movie “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” She told Elvis Information Network that he was always happy to sign autographs, but fans were extremely cordial, leaving the star to enjoy his vacation after meeting him.

“That is one of the reasons Elvis kept returning to Hawaii — he wasn’t hassled or bothered by the press or the fans,” author Sanja Meegin wrote, following her research into the area.

Meegin did quite a bit of research into the star’s Hawaii ventures. She found a telegram Elvis sent to the Honolulu Star newspaper in 1957, ahead of his first visit to the resort:

“I know I will enjoy your islands. Like to surf and swim. Getting good tan on board. Have read about Hawaiian hospitality and am eagerly looking forward to same,” Elvis wrote.

Inside Elvis Presley’s favorite hotel room

When he stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1957 and 1961, Elvis stayed in the Ali’i Oceanfront Presidential Suite on the 14th floor of the Rainbow Tower.

In the ‘60s, Elvis was known to rent out the whole floor for his entourage. These days, the Ali’i Presidential Suite is available across two full floors (the 14th and 15th). It comes with a number of stunning features, including:

• The ability to sleep seven
• A 285-square-foot balcony
• A large living room
• An entry foyer
• A wet bar
• Premium resort amenities and services
• Oceanfront views
• Security alarms
• Optional: Private lobby check-in
• Optional: Private pool, bar, and fitness center

The King was known to stay in the presidential suite, but you don’t need to book one yourself to step in his shoes. He famously held a press conference prior to the Pearl Harbor benefit concert in the hotel’s Carousel Room. Information about this room is not publicly available, so when you visit, be sure to ask the hotel staff to point you in the right direction.

What other celebrities love this resort?

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is no stranger to superstar guests. While Elvis is among the resort’s most notable famous fans, it has hosted a number of big names.

Michael Jackson stayed at the hotel in 1997 and stayed on the 14th floor of the Ali’i Tower in the Mahele Suite, according to Hawaii News Now.

“We had customers on property day and night,” recalled Lani Bjork, head of security at the resort in 1997. “He came out to the lanai to wave to them and you could hear that wave of Michael, Michael, throughout the evening.”

The resort has also hosted several presidents in the past few decades, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford.

More recently, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White filmed an episode of “Wheel of Fortune” at the resort in 2024.

How to experience Hawaii like Elvis

To Elvis, Hawaii wasn’t just a vacation destination — it was a livelihood. The singer loved the locale so much that he incorporated elements of Hawaii into his music, his films, and his own home at Graceland.

Numerous blogs, books, and archives note that Elvis loved Hawaii for its atmosphere, notably its stunning natural features (including its waterfalls and relaxing beaches). There are hundreds of pictures available online of the star enjoying his time in Hawaii. Based on what we’ve found, you can experience Hawaii like Elvis by:

• Sunbathing. The beaches were a huge draw for Elvis, where he was often found sunbathing and relaxing on white sands.
• Visiting the Halona Blowhole lookout: Want to see the Halona Blowhole? Elvis did — check out the natural formation to step into the King’s literal footsteps.
• Renting a speedboat: Elvis was spotted doing all manner of water sports during his 1968 vacation, including driving a speedboat and paddling on a floating device.
• Getting on those water skis: Hawaii’s beaches are the perfect spots for waterskiing, even if you’ve never done it before. Elvis was spotted trying out the sport for himself during a Hawaii vacation.
• Swimming: You don’t visit Hawaii and spend hours on the beach without going for a dip. Elvis has been spotted swimming during nearly every trip he has on record.
• Surfing: As noted in his own telegram, Elvis was a surfer, and he enjoyed practicing his craft during visits to The Aloha State.