OK, so "Beach" is a bit of hyperbole, since the property is not on the beach at all (nor was I expecting it to be, having read previous reviews!) That said, the hotel lives up to Ritz-Carlton's brand promise of top-notch hospitality.
Having been to Waikiki one other time, I knew that it would not be a calm, tropical oasis. Full of tourists, to be sure, Waikiki is also a densely populated, quirky, urban residential neighborhood... definitely run-down in parts but also charming and upbeat in others. Though not at the beach, the property is a close-enough walk to it. More important to us, there are many, many restaurants and shops just a few blocks away. We'd stay here again based on that accessibility alone.
The hotel is quite nice and modern. We liked the restaurants, the fitness center, and the adult pool. It's billed as an infinity pool, which I suppose it is. And while you can see the ocean from it, your gaze must first clear the roofs of the building, albeit roofs that cover luxury retail shopping, right next door. Again, when you're here, you're in a city environment.
Our room was spacious and comfortable. We had a corner view, featuring both the ocean and the city. We live in NYC so the traffic/sirens didn't bother us... but it does exist.
For us, starting our vacation in Waikiki makes sense, given how easy it is to get to after a long flight. Next trip to Hawaii, I imagine we'll be back at the Ritz-Carlton!