Queens Waikiki Luau — Hotel in Honolulu

This was our first luau and I’m giving the scores I’m giving because the venue cannot control its guests. I leave this review as an advice for first time visitors and what to expect. If you are an introvert and just want to sit enjoy a show then this is not for you unless you’re having a “conquer your fear” type of moment. We were welcomed by smiling friendly faces by the staff and felt welcomed! Truly! Where it went wrong was when we went to the table we were assigned to (which we paid extra for by the way) and was met by a very unfriendly woman (from Colorado with her kids, way to set an example mom! sarcasm) who nastily said, “you can’t sit here I saved these six seats” (pointing to the whole row… of a table that sat 8… she can’t even do math) I then asked with a stern response which seats are not taken that we may sit at (because I can do math… I’m just not going to walk away) she didn’t really answer the question just seemed irritated that I still wanted to sit there. Now, fast forward, this ends up being a very interactive luau where the hosts asks guests to introduce themselves to other guests that whom they don’t know, say aloha, introduce yourself give a hug or kiss or both. After that experience you think we want to interact with this woman and her family who clearly did not want us in her table? We are a couple who came here with 0 expectations and just wanted to enjoy our time together to see a luau performance. We likely paid the same as this woman did, but her entitled attitude said otherwise. The overall lesson here is be kind, be polite, or just be respectful you never know where the night takes you or who you are affecting. It’s just unfortunate that this is a mother who sets the example (fortunately it was only one of her children that experienced this as the other children were obviously not yet at the table). As a lesson for the first time audience if you are expecting to just sit and watch a show this isn’t for you… if you are an extrovert and can have a conversation with anyone and even a wall and you live for that this type of stuff then this is your place! Overall though, either you are introverted, extroverted or just a human being just be kind, respectful and not be like this woman from Colorado… I wish we were at Taylor’s table. Taylor is the lady that the Colorado woman walked two tables away from us and introduced herself to Taylor. Way to walk two tables to introduce yourself to her before introducing yourself to the couple who you clearly didn’t want on your table… I hope you learn a lesson of love from Hawaii. Mahalo. We enjoyed our dinner (it was fair) and quietly left after the show even started. ...

I was really looking forward to my first luau, but the experience ended up being very frustrating due to a disruptive family seated directly across from me. Their baby cried repeatedly throughout the entire performance—on and off, but loud and frequent enough that it made it difficult to enjoy the show or focus on what was happening. It seemed like the baby might’ve been overstimulated by the music and lights, which is understandable, but the parents didn’t take any meaningful steps to calm her away from the crowd. Instead, they stayed at the table, argued with each other, and at one point the mother tried to forcefully hold the baby during the performance, which only made the crying worse. I sympathize with parents traveling with young kids, but when you're at a ticketed show that others paid to enjoy, there should be some effort to minimize disruptions—or staff should be empowered to intervene if it continues. The performers were talented and the setting was great, but sadly, my main memory of the evening is the baby crying in the background of all my videos. I agree with the other posts too, there are also people above you watching for free, but the dancers and the entertainment was still amazing and the bartender was a sweetheart! I give them credit for performing for paying customers and the ppl above but if you are looking for something more intimate I’d say book elsewhere. Even though the location for this place is very convenient if you are nearby compared to others, I’d say the Uber ride would be worth it. I just wish the staff stepped in when someone came in from outside to take videos up close of the dancers when they didn’t pay, I was confused about that as well, I don’t know how they let something’s slide but oh well. All my videos have a screaming baby and I paid $200 for the experience. The drinks were okay just Mai Tais and the food was good. They don’t cook the pig in front of you, if that’s what you are looking for from a traditional luau that is not be expected here....

The Queens Waikiki Luau website makes claims like "most authentic luau in Oahu," and "highest rated show in Waikiki," but these statements are outright lies. The videos and information on the website cleverly conceal the fact that the show is literally in the middle of a shopping mall during a high-traffic period and in an area that is NOT closed off to non-paying visitors, so anyone can watch the show that you paid $500 for, for FREE. You feel like you're part of an exhibit as dozens of shoppers watch you from the walkway above the courtyard.

Regarding being the "highest rated luau in Waikiki," they did not say "highest rated luau in Waikiki on GOOGLE ONLY," (which is also not true – three other luaus have the same score). They have Google (4.5), Trip Advisor (3.5) and Yelp (4) all advertised on their website and in their follow-up experience rating request email. But when you compare scores across all 3 sites and across all 6 available luaus in Waikiki, they are in FIFTH PLACE, making this an outright false claim.

The website also shows performers in costume serving food and running activities, but NONE of the activities were happening when we arrived at 5pm, and instead of costumed performers, we had disengaged employees in polos and sneakers slopping bland, watery food onto paper plates. The mai tais were like syrup (overly sweet and not a hint of alcohol) served premixed from a plastic jug, and there were plastic trash cans and Home Depot buckets strewn around the event area. We paid extra for front-row seating but the plastic tables and chairs were set up so that only two folks per table would actually get a front-row experience.

We asked to speak to whoever was in charge, but the employees on site didn't have anyone to direct us to. It was a disorganized mess. We have now called Queens Waikiki Luau no less than 7 times asking to speak to the owner or manager to give them an opportunity to make this right, but they refuse to even...