Hono-woowoo!

The best of Waikiki is... Waikiki Beach!!! The water is warm and crystal clear, perfect for your first surfing lesson. If you are a shopper, there are plenty of ABC Stores that sell items "designed in Hawaii" but actually "made in Taiwan." You can even wait until you get home and buy the souvenirs online. This is a CITY, so there will be sirens, crowds, traffic, etc. Take a vacation from your vacation and drive around the island or take Da Bus. You'll be back at your hotel in time for dinner.

Quick Tips:

Most hotel pools will be small and close at sunset. If you want a huge pool open 24 hours, then go to the outer islands, where the beaches aren't swimmable. You can save money, but keep the ocean view by booking properties across the street from the beach. Also, consider transfers from the airport, plus 1 or 2 days of a car rental to get out of the city. If you rent a car for the week, you pay for parking fees for a week, and those can add up quickly!

Best Way To Get Around:

On foot of course! Help cut the traffic congestion and use your legs. There are free transfers available to Hilo Hatties. Da Bus will take you around the island for under .

This was very nice! There was an excellent level of service – mahalo to Sergio, the bellhop, for helping me find my luggage with a smile. The pool area overlooks the ocean with rocking chairs, a bar, and two Jacuzzis. You can borrow folding chairs that double as a backpack with a drink holder and secret compartment for your stuff and head to the beach. This property is across the street, which means that it is less than 30 steps to the sand. If you stay at least 3 nights, valet parking is free!

The beds have high-thread-count sheets, so sleep naked! If you can't afford the spa treatments, they even offer some of the massages poolside for $50. What a bargain!

There are over 60 stores in the lobby. The Chinese-Italian restaurant, Ciao Mein, converts to a nightclub every Saturday, and there is no cover charge for Hyatt guests. The buffet breakfast is kind of pricey ($24), so head over to Duke's for an affordable buffet ($13).

Although all rooms are the same size at this hotel, the advantage to booking the Regency Club level is complimentary limo service within a 5-mile radius, a CD player in the room, a private rooftop sundeck, continental breakfast daily, evening cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres all day.

The lobby area is expansive and well-lit, with 12 elevators. Why? Because there are 1,852 rooms at this hotel. It's very nice, with lots of stores, but I think you may feel like just another number. The beach is actually small. If you stay here, I would recommend staying in the oceanfront rooms, because the bathrooms include a window that opens up to the bedroom, allowing for ocean views from the shower! The parking garage is shared with the Royal Hawaiian. There are two pools, one specifically for children.

We had a newly remodeled condo with tavertine floors, a granite countertop in the kitchens, high thread-count sheets, and flat-screen televisions. The lobby is a welcoming entrance, and the pool area has a separate section that can be reserved (at no charge) for private parties. This location is at Fort De Russy Park, with Chanel, Banana Republic, and Nike stores across the street. There is also a gas station next door, one of the few in Waikiki.

This budget property is located 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. It offers a rooftop pool and sauna, which is not handicap accessible. Studios have kitchenettes and one-bedrooms will have full kitchens with a large balcony. If you have an early arrival or late departure, there is a large hospitality room with a TV, vending machines, refrigerator, and views of Waikiki.

Built in 1901, this plantation-style property will transport you back in time. I feel like I'm in the movie “Titanic” when I walk the hallways of the historic building. There are three wings: Tower, Diamond, and Historic. Tower is the newest, with fabulous SweetSleeper beds and granite-counter bathrooms. The Diamond tower was built in the ‘70s, and the Historic is the main building. All rooms in the Historic wing are the same size—small. The buffet breakfast will not offer pancakes, waffles, or omelettes, but more of a continental breakfast with pastries, eggs benedict, fresh fruits, and Japanese breakfast (miso soup, rice, etc.).

It is full of nostalgia and charm, but you have to like the color pink. The architecture is pink Spanish-Moorish, and the lobby area features hand-woven pink rugs. Rooms in the Historic Wing (the hotel opened in 1927) include four-poster canopy beds, flowered wallpaper, and individually carved heavy wooden doors. Each one is unique, so when you walk from your room to the elevator, be sure to inspect the details. Tell your friends you enjoyed a cocktail at the infamous Mai Tai Bar. This hotel isn't for everyone, but those who appreciate historic buildings or those looking to recreate those early days of Waikiki will enjoy a step back in time.

I really enjoyed the benefits of this budget property. Located on the Ala Wai canal, our room on the 17th floor had views of Diamond Head, the Manoa Valley twinkling at night, and inspirational sunrises, along with a partial ocean view from our lanai. The entrance requires your room card, and parking is available on-site. If you didn't book your excursions beforehand, there is an activities desk on-site also. Our superior room was well sized, as was the lanai. However, the closet and bathroom might be considered small for someone over 6 feet. The carpet was clean, there were LOTS of channels on the TV, and the beds were surprisingly comfortable. The kitchenette is a benefit. It's the little things that make the difference, like a mini bottle of dish soap, brand-new sponge, cutting board, plates, utensils, glasses, and pan. The mini-fridge was perfect for storing our six-pack of Asahi beer and leftovers from The Cheesecake Factory. On the fifth floor is a mini-market, a massage-therapy clinic, and a well-sized pool (by Waikiki standards) with a Jacuzzi. Now for the important part: the distance from the beach. It's not far—really. Walk to the end of the block and cross the street. You're now at the rear entrance to the International Market Place. Window shop your way to the front entrance and then cross the street. Next to Cheesecake Factory there is a walkway to the sand that is Waikiki. Consider what you take to the beach and whether you're willing to throw it all in a backpack and stroll. Think of each step as money that you are saving, because you pay hundreds less to stay by the canal.

We enjoyed a buffet breakfast at Duke's with lovely views of the ocean. The buffet is varied with eggs Benedict, pancakes, French toast, crepes, made to order omelettes, fruit bread (mango, guava, pineapple), cereal bar, fresh fruit bar, and your standard breakfast meats. Priced at $14pp (less for kids), you can fill up for the most important meal of the day that will leave you satisfied well past lunch. Service is friendly and attentive, and the restaurant is large enough to not seem crowded.

This is the happening spot right now. The restaurant overlooks the beach, with a dark-wood tiki interior. Service is friendly and fast, prices are reasonable, and I was full when I left! Live bands perform nightly.

When you're bored with Chanel, Coach, and Gucci, head over to Spark for items that no one else will offer. You've got to be looking up, or else you'll miss this gem of a store in Waikiki located on the second floor. Popular with Japanese tourists, this is a great place to pick up collectible kitschy products from the ‘70s, ‘80s, etc. It is recommended for those who like unique souvenirs.

This dinner sunset cruise departs from Pier 6. We were picked up from our hotel (Hawaii Prince) at 3:45pm and returned by 10pm. There are two levels for dining, the lower level is buffet dining with one drink ticket included, the upper level is a five-course meal with three cocktails. It costs an additional $10 to get a window seat. We enjoyed the Royal Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Navatek I. Prior to boarding, your picture will be taken and can be purchased later for $20 (also includes a picture of the ship sailing with Diamond Head in the background). We received three drink tickets, however, if you decide to purchase a bottle of wine or sake it will be extra. I paid $12 for a bottle of premium sake.

Our menu began with an appetizer plate of poached salmon filet with dill and caper cream sauce. It was excellent. We continued with a royal salad, locally grown greens, fried wonton, and papaya seed/sesame dressing. Delicious! I was jealous of my companion's extra dressing on his salad. A local musician gently strums Hawaiian music as we are dining, eagerly awaiting the sunset. He is later joined by a female vocalist and some Hawaiian dancers. The staff is very enthusiastic and friendly, and there is a chance for audience participation. We make time to go outside for picture opportunities with Waikiki and Diamond Head in the background.

This cruise actually goes further out than most others, heading past Diamond Head and towards the Kahala coast. For those of you worried about getting seasick, this ship operates on SWATH technology, which basically means it operates at higher speeds while retaining low motions. It rides above the waves on four hulls. We return to our window seat for the main entree, steamed Maine lobster served with butter and ponzu sauce. The server was more than happy to assist those who had never eaten whole lobster before. The next entree was roasted filet of tenderloin beef, served with carrots and zucchini, and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert was a delicate chocolate mousse cake with raspberry coulis. The price for this sunset cruise runs about $100 per person. I was more impressed with the appetizer and salad, but I think the true value is in the drinks and the view.

Located in the Outrigger Waikiki, this variety show is long-running in Waikiki. It is so popular that the original lineup took the show to Bally's Las Vegas. But the new SOS lineup is just fine, continuing the tradition with extensive costumes, silly celebrity impressions, and great songs that you know the words to. Admission includes a drink or buffet, depending on the package.