2027 Resort Travel Trends: Meaningful Experiences, Made Easy in Waikiki

What makes a vacation feel rewarding? Increasingly, it's the ease of discovering experiences that connect you with a destination, its culture and its community.

Across Marriott Waikiki Collection, we see this shift in how our guests spend their days. Travelers are seeking opportunities to give back, discover more within their resorts and enjoy experiences that continue into the evening, all with less planning.

Our new report, Ease by Design: A 2027 Travel Insight Report on the Modern Resort Traveler, explores these emerging preferences. Drawing on guest behavior, booking data and observations across more than 4,000 guest rooms at our four Waikiki hotels and resorts, it identifies three trends shaping the resort experience in 2027.

1. Giving Back Becomes Part of the Vacation

Travelers increasingly want their visits to benefit the communities that welcome them. They're also looking for simple ways to contribute without adding another commitment to their itinerary.

Our report calls this trend "Impact, Made Easy." It reflects the appeal of experiences that build community support into something guests already enjoy.

Across our collection, the ongoing Mai Tais and Burgers campaign demonstrates how this can work. The program generates between $15,000 and $30,000 each month for Hawaii nonprofits, connecting everyday dining experiences with local causes.

For guests, it's an opportunity to make a difference through a familiar vacation moment. For the destination, it creates an ongoing connection between hospitality and community support.

2. The Resort Becomes a Destination of Its Own

A resort is becoming more than a place to return after a day of exploring. Travelers are choosing to spend more of their vacation enjoying the experiences available within the property itself.

We call this shift "The Stay Is the Story." Guests want their resort to offer opportunities for discovery throughout the day, particularly through hands-on activities that connect them with local culture.

At Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort and The Royal Hawaiian, 43.3% of visitors now book multiple hands-on cultural activities during their stay, according to the report.

This interest points to a desire for deeper engagement with the destination. Rather than filling every hour with separate excursions, travelers are finding meaningful experiences within easy reach, allowing discovery and relaxation to fit naturally into the same day.

3. Discovery Continues After Dark

Evenings are taking on a greater role in the vacation experience. Travelers are seeking cooler temperatures, quieter surroundings and relaxing ways to enjoy their destination after sunset.

Our third trend, "After-Dark Allure," explores this growing interest in nighttime programming.

At Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, Glow Flow Yoga offers a different way to experience movement after dark. The nighttime program accounts for nearly one-third of all floating yoga bookings at the resort.

The appeal goes beyond adding another activity to the schedule. Evening experiences give guests more flexibility to shape their days around their interests and preferred pace.

What These Trends Mean for Your Next Waikiki Stay

Together, these behaviors point to a shared priority: travelers want meaningful experiences that are easy to enjoy.

Giving back through a meal, joining a cultural activity at the resort or trying an evening wellness experience can add depth to a vacation without requiring extensive planning. The experience becomes part of the stay, leaving more room to enjoy the moment.

Across our collection, each property offers its own perspective on Waikiki:

• Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort: Contemporary energy and an oceanfront setting.

• The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki: A historic retreat with a distinctive sense of place.

• Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach: Beachfront charm and a longstanding connection to Waikiki.

• Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikiki Beach: Welcoming comfort close to Waikiki's attractions.

As we look toward 2027, our report explores how these different settings can respond to a common desire: a vacation that feels personal, connected and easy to experience.