This hotel has the best location in Waikiki. It is directly across the street from Kuhio Beach, where safe swimming is found inside a rock wall. Kuhio Beach also has pavilions to shelter you from the sun or the occasional rain shower.
The hotel’s location is just 1 short block from Kapiolani Park, where you can visit the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, band concerts in the park, or jog/walk along tree-lined Kalakaua along the park or on the Queen’s Beach walkway. On weekends there is Art on the Zoo Fence and Sunset on the Beach. This beach party includes live bands; kiosks from many famous restaurants selling takeout; and after sunset, a movie on a huge screen.
This hotel is also located at the trolley stop where all the major "free" trolleys stop.
The hotel has two restaurants, Wolfgang Puck’s Express and Tiki’s Grill & Bar. In addition, there are many other restaurants within a short walk.
This hotel is decorated in what they call hip Hawaiian, reminiscent of the ‘50s and ‘60s. We enjoyed the bright, upbeat colors and patterns. We found out that the huge, black vases in the lobby are the trunks of coconut trees. Surfboards are used for signage in the public areas. The junior suite we rented had a beaded curtain over the closet with a hula girl depicted, two comfortable beds, a couch, table with two chairs, and a desk and chair - and a view. What a view! We could see Diamondhead, a good slice of Kapiolani Park, Queens Beach, and even part of the Natatorium. By opening our sliding glass door onto the lanai, we could hear the live band from the beach party and watch the movie.
This hotel has a unique breakfast plan. Each room has a thermal, zippered lunch bag per guest. In the morning, we would take our bags to the pool deck, where hot and cold breakfast items were available. They called the plan Breakfast on the Beach, but we always brought the bags back upstairs to our comfortable room. Since each room has a small refrigerator, I would usually stash a carton of milk and a package of coffeecake for a midday snack.
This hotel really appeals to the young crowd, and by that, I mean groups of teenagers. The lobby is usually very active with girls primping and strutting about and boys trying to look bored. One day there was a couple dancing the tango.
The staff was most cooperative in meeting all our needs, especially the valet service. One flaw in the system is the elevators. There were too few for the number of guests.