I am arriving at HNL about 10pm and need to fly out again at 11:00am the next day.

I am looking for the closest hotel to the airport that has a shuttle (or a reasonable taxi fare). I am not looking for anything special or points. However, I do not want to stay the roach motel either.

Any suggestions close to HNL

I think there's a Holiday Inn (or at least there used to be) at the airport...and there may be one other smaller hotel just outside. But I've never set foot in either, so don't take this as a recommendation in any sense of the word.

The Ala Moana Hotel is on the outskirts of Waikiki by the shopping center...for some reason, I think it might be a Renaissance brand...probably 15-20 minutes away from HNL and a nice place.

The Holiday Inn that used to be by the HNL airport is no longer. It is now the Honolulu Airport Hotel. They have a web site: http://www.honoluluairporthotel.com

Close by is a Best Western. Their web site is http://www.travelweb.com/booker/AppLogic+booker.hotel.info.Start?brand=BW&pid=12008&iid=BW

But probably the most convenient option for you, since you are simply connecting to another flight, would be to use the "Mini-Hotel" in the HNL airport terminal itself. Rates are $38 for 8 hours, $8/hr additional. You can make reservations at 808-836-3044.

I'm planning a trip to the Big Island at Christmas and will arrive HNL late with a flight to KOA early the next morning.

Any recommendations for a decent airport hotel at or near HNL?

2 adults, 2 kids, need shuttle service.

Thanks

We are in the same boat - but only the 2 of us. I asked for advice, and all of the responses said to avoid the nearby fleabags like the plague. We may stay there anyway, as we will be getting in around 8 PM and have a 6:30 flight the next morning. We are going late in October, so will give an honest report if we stay near the airport.

Good luck,

DD

I would suggest staying in Waikiki overnight. That way you can get a decent dinner and take a walk. The airport is about 15 minutes from Waikiki during off-peak traffic hours, which is when you will be departing, so there's no need to worry about catching your flight. I would leave about 5:00 to catch a 6:30 flight because of security. Enjoy!

A taxi from HNL into Waikiki will run about $25.00 - $35.00 (depending on where you are going, traffic, etc.). There are no hotel shuttles at HNL (as far as I know). The nearby hotels (Plaza, etc.) are really nasty. Better to take the short ride into Waikiki, go for a nice walk in the area, stick your toes in the ocean, etc.

Check out Sheryl's BiddingForTravel.com message board. People regularly get nice Waikiki hotels for sometimes 50 and 60 dollars through Priceline!

My husband arrived at 7 am on an intl flight while we were arriving at 2 pm from SAN. I booked him a day room at the Honolulu Airport Hotel to nap and shower in. He didn't make any negative comments on the room - maybe too zonked. Lobby, restrooms and staff were OK when we came by in the rental car to pick him up. They have a shuttle - you have to call. Restaurant LOOKED OK, but he didn't eat there so I can't comment. It's only minutes from the airport. I think it's rated a 2-star and available on Priceline.

Great feedback.

I, too, get in at night (9:30p) after a 6 hour time change, and will take an early flight to Kona, so I'm not sure that we'll have the energy to travel to and from Waikiki for such a brief period.

We'll also have lots of bags for our family, so the closer to the airport we can get the better. We can handle a 2 star hotel for one night, as it will make the Waikaloa Village seem that much better.

Littleleaguemom, thanks for the Priceline referral to Honolulu Airport Hotel. I'll check it out.

DoggyDaddy, I'd love to hear what you find in October.

Please post your questions and/or reviews of hotels in Honolulu, Waikiki, and Greater Honolulu

Please also see: Oahu/Honolulu: Consolidated Honolulu Airport Hotel Thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=650949)

Please post your questions and/or reviews of hotels in Honolulu, Waikiki, and Greater Honolulu

Please also see: Oahu/Honolulu: Consolidated Honolulu Airport Hotel Thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=650949)

I'll be transiting HNL and was wondering about sleeping options. Anyone have any insight as to how likely I'll be to get some shut eye in the terminal for a few hours overnight?

Just to show that there seems to be a website for everything.....

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/honolulu.htm

Please post your questions and/or reviews of hotels near the Honolulu International Airport

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cblaisd:
Just to show that there seems to be a website for everything.....

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/honolulu.htm</font>

TSA will now ask what you're doing and will want you to be "on your way". The last departure from HNL's domestic terminal leaves by 1:30 a.m. (even though security is open 24 hours), so it might be a good idea to check into a hotel if staying over night.



------------------
Hailing from paradise, the 50th state -- the most isolated population -- the largest consumers of SPAM per capita -- home of the southern most point of the USA. Just a few things to be proud ofwww.gohawaii.com (http://www.gohawaii.com)

Pacific Marina Inn – motel very close to HNL

Wanted a hotel near Honolulu airport for a very early morning flight.

Stayed at the Pacific Marina Inn for $62 internet rate.

Hotel was clean with a nice sized pool. The fact that it is in an industrial area may bother some.

Free anytime shuttle service provided to/from airport.

Pacific Marina Inn
2628 Waiwai Loop
Honolulu
808.836.1131

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
Pacific Marina Inn – motel very close to HNL</font>

Very good advice!

aloha

I will also be arriving at the airport late (9:00PM) and I have an early flight out. The Best Western Plaza's web site says that it has renovated rooms. Has any one stayed there recently.
Nancy

We stayed there in July as we arrived late into Honolulu from Ohio and were going over to Kauai the next morning. We got the AAA rate. We wanted to stay near the airport and not have to rent a car, etc. The hotel was very dumpy and the interstate highway is literally right on top of the hotel and was noisy. The beds were horrible. The worst part is we had 3 children with us and they said the rooms would accommodate 5 people and we were guaranteed a rollaway. We only needed somewhere to sleep for the night as we had a very early flight to Kauai the next day. Even though I had called the hotel the morning we left to confirm the rollaway, etc. when we arrived they had no rollaway for us. This hotel is very poorly managed. I would never want to stay there again and cannot recommend it.

I would not go to hotels located by the airport. Try finding something like the Hilton Hawaiian VIllage or Ala Moana Hotel. Its only 20 minutes by car and you are not stuck in a seedy part of town. Waikiki Beach is where the action is. If you come this far you can certainly take a 20 minute bus or taxi ride.

Wow, an old bump http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/wink.gif

aloha

p.s. The airport hotel is now closed.

I was a little surprised when I received the flyertalk e-mail about this one. It was a great trip....a little more than 2 years ago. Ah, memories.

Best Western The Plaza Hotel - 1/2 mile from HNL airport. The phone nbr is 808-836-3636

For proximity to HNL, I prefer the Honolulu Airport Hotel. It is just a very brief taxi or airport shuttle ride from HNL. The hotel is walking distance to Byron's, which is a 24-hour take-away restaurant where you'll usually find lots of locals and some great fried chicken.
A bit of walk further you can find a nice little peninsula just off the east end of one of HNL's runways. Nice for watching aircraft. I've always been the only person there, so there is some tranquility (between flights!!).

The Honolulu Airport hotel itself is nothing special, but is very convenient to HNL. It does have a nice pool and sundeck.

I got a room on Priceline for $62 per night 21-24 Jan, 2004. In the past I've paid $95 by calling the hotel directly.

You can read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60982-d87017-Reviews-Honolulu_Airport_Hotel-Honolulu_Oahu_Hawaii.html

Don't expect too much and you may not be disappointed. :)

It would be difficult to get your standards low enough to enjoy either The Airport Hotel or the near by Plaza. Truly they are one star tops!

Another option, closer than the Ala Moana by half is the Aston Executive Center. This is "the" hotel for those doing government business in downtown Honolulu. http://www.hotels.com/property.jsp?property=18418&PSR

Rates can be high here, but I've paid as little as $65 depending on day of the week etc.

The hotel is walking distance to the aloha tower marketplace and the cruise ship pier. A much superior option less than 10 minutes from the airport.

Aloha,

Lihu'e 1k

It would be difficult to get your standards low enough to enjoy either The Airport Hotel or the near by Plaza. Truly they are one star tops! Lihu'e 1k

couldn't be more true lihue. i've stayed at them all, and most recently the marina pacific about 2 months ago (just too late to connect home and had a very early am flight to lihue). it was overall one of the worst motel experiences i've ever had. the shuttle driver on the way back to hnl told me that in addition to it being a slum, they have lots of problems with drugs, prostitution, and other crimes. wouldn't recommend it to anyone but my worst enemy.

After a UA-caused misconnect last year, UA put me up at the airport hotel.

It is certainly not a destination hotel. But for a few hours sleep it was fine. Clean. Small room. Easy to get to the terminal.

Restaurant made a suprisingly good cheeseburger.

there is a place called "shower tree" just off the airport. 30 bucks for a "sleeping quarters" and a shower. Nothing special, but from what I gather some pilots use it often on turnarounds. I have yet to be in hawaii and have the need for that, since I have family in the islands, but it is on my list of "last resorts".

http://www.showertree.com/pages/305949/index.htm

You may want to look in the extensive "Accomodations" FAQ that slippahs has put together on the Hawaii forum as part of his just-about-everything-you-ever-wanted to know FAQ.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3087916&postcount=3

I am arriving at HNL about 10pm and need to fly out again at 11:00am the next day.

I am looking for the closest hotel to the airport that has a shuttle (or a reasonable taxi fare). I am not looking for anything special or points. However, I do not want to stay the roach motel either.

Any suggestions close to HNL

Actually, any hotel from waikiki on up to the airport isn't really that far away in terms of time unless you're driving during rush hour back to the airport. But, with a departure time of 11:00AM I don't think you'll need to drive at rush hour.
There are two hotels right near the airport that are literally within walking distance - maybe a mile or two outside the airport itself. One is the the Plaza and the other I forget the name right now. They aren't the fanciest, but they are decent.

there is a place called "shower tree" just off the airport. 30 bucks for a "sleeping quarters" and a shower. Nothing special, but from what I gather some pilots use it often on turnarounds. I have yet to be in hawaii and have the need for that, since I have family in the islands, but it is on my list of "last resorts".

http://www.showertree.com/pages/305949/index.htm

Yikes, if at all possible do take a look at the showertree before you book there. I've walked by this establishment many times. From the outside it'd make the Honolulu Airport Hotel look 4-star!

I tried to get a room there once but it was booked, so I will admit that it does get some traffic. Just as well; I prefer a private shower/toilet (en-suite), which according to the website the Showertree does not offer.

I hope I am in the correct thread to post this question...I have a 18-hour lay over in Honolulu arriving late in the afternoon and deperting the next morning for NRT at 10am...any suggestions of a confortable hotel close to the HNL airport for this stay?

best western airport hotel only one at the airport thats not a fleabag

Wander on over to the Hawaii forum and do a search :)

The general consensus is there isn't a decent hotel around. ;)

Please follow in the FT Hawaii Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Mahalo to obscure2k for moving this thread to the Hawaii forum.

There are only a few choices around the airport, as outlined in the Guide to Connecting in Hawaii linked below in my signature. Choose neither of them, unless you're really apprehensive about transitting into Waikiki.

If you aren't, and you're looking for something on the nicer end, go with a hotel in Waikiki, which we can advise you on further.

cblaisd seems to have a lot of experiences at the Best Western, and hopefully he'll chime in here.

It's not the Best Western I've stayed in but the Honolulu Airport Hotel 2 or 3 times.

It's a basic 1980s hotel. It's very clean in the rooms and the furnishings are very tired. Rooms are small. They are beginning a hotel renovation and I understand some rooms are now done. If all you are wanting is a clean room and a bed for a few hours, it's fine. The fact that it is has an airport shuttle is a plus too.

With $60 worth of cabfare back and forth to Waikiki, it's probably a wash for getting a Pricelined Waikiki hotel vs. the HNL Airport Hotel. But on the couple of occasions that I've had misconnects and unexpectedly needed an overnight, the ~$100 kama'aina rate beat what I could have done on Priceline + cab fare.

It's not the Best Western I've stayed in but the Honolulu Airport Hotel 2 or 3 times.

It's a basic 1980s hotel. It's very clean in the rooms and the furnishings are very tired. Rooms are small. They are beginning a hotel renovation and I understand some rooms are now done. If all you are wanting is a clean room and a bed for a few hours, it's fine. The fact that it is has an airport shuttle is a plus too.

With $60 worth of cabfare back and forth to Waikiki, it's probably a wash for getting a Pricelined Waikiki hotel vs. the HNL Airport Hotel. But on the couple of occasions that I've had misconnects and unexpectedly needed an overnight, the ~$100 kama'aina rate beat what I could have done on Priceline + cab fare.

It's an Ohana hotel now and they are under going a decent upgrade to the furnishings and such. It was a dump now it's not bad. I just stayed there two weeks ago and the items in my room were new. TA rate was 125 or so a night which I think is steep, their prices for both the BW and this hotel have gone up the past year. Ohana owns both. I dont' know what the kama'aina rates are but I'd bet you're looking at more then 100 a night now.

I agree that you'll pay 60 bucks for waikiki taxi trip (back and forth) so this hotel isn't that bad for a one night stay. As I normally have a 7 am departure I will stay at the honolulu airport hotel for the past year (for one night stays) but if I am spending more then one night then I will stay in Waikiki. I prefer this hotel over the BW because 1) BW's pick up service is TERRIBLE !!! As I land at 2 - 3 am in the morning the last thing I want to do is wait at the curb for two hours waiting on them to find or wake up their driver. The BW raised their prices even higher then the HNL airport hotel also. The shuttle driver for the HNL airport hotel is generally right on schedule and since I've had up to 13 bags in the past he didn't blink an eye at how much he had to transport and was very helpful. So give me that kind of service at a low(er) end hotel and I'll stay kind of loyal.

All sounds very much in line with my experience.

Kama'aina rate in October was $99; now it's $109-$119

All sounds very much in line with my experience.

Kama'aina rate in October was $99; now it's $109-$119
Could just be the difference between high season and low season pricing, perhaps?

Could just be the difference between high season and low season pricing, perhaps?

Dunno. And my stay in October was the day after the earthquake and the reservation was made same-day. So I have no idea how all those factors interact.

Could just be the difference between high season and low season pricing, perhaps?

While prices at most hotels vary depending on the season, I don't think this is the case at the airport hotel and BW (but outrigger does change in the seasons). When Ohana took over their operations (or whatever happened) they (Best Western and HNL Airport Hotel) both had a price increase. The business rates went up, the regular rates went up, the Travel Agent Rates went up, everything went up. You also could book things through the BW TA web site and also go directly to the HNL Aiport hotel web site for items but now everything is through Ohana's web site and the HNL Airport hotel's old web site I can't even find anymore.

I know I've gotten the same TA rate at the HNL Airport Hotel and the BW no matter the season until they did what I assume was an across the board rate increase. I'm not even sure what the regular rates are anymore for either of them.

I know now if you go through Best Western and use their travel agent web site the HNL Airport BW does not qualify for BW TA rates and you have to go through Ohana's web site. I'm not sure what that means as far as other BW promo's go however it seems that this one operates by their own rules and reg's. :confused: Since I don't use priceline or others like it I'm not sure how they are being listed or at what prices they are being listed at under those programs but I would assume everything is higher in price now compared to a year ago.

But Ohana is operating more then a few hotels now and they are doing upgrades to a lot of them not just the HNL Airport hotel. They were having some decent prices on some places that were going through renovations but nothing near where I wanted to stay.

Thanks for the in-depth analysis, KosraeTV. ^

I had a return from the mainland arriving at 5pm with a meeting the next morning in the Nu'uanu valley at 8:30 a.m. So I really just wanted a cheap (in Hawaii terms) place to stay without the hassle or expense of getting into Waikiki.

So I Hotwired and ended up at the Pacific Marina Inn.

Ugh.

Ugh.

The best thing about them is that they have a quick airport shuttle. The grounds are also suprisingly nice. But this is a hotel right out Paul Theroux's novel. The staff are wonderfully old-Hawaii and cheerful. Lots of locals about celebrating pau hana. But the rooms are dreadful, simply and awfully dreadful. Horrid bed, abused and cruddy pressboard furniture from the 1890s (it seems). You know you're in for a fine hotel experience when at check-in you are given both your key and the remote control for the tv. Did I say the rooms are dreadful? Very, very tiny. Very noisy window unit airconditioner with two speeds, off and jet-roar-level. But it's so high on the wall that even at 6"1" I couldn't read the labels on the knobs.

(Note: I might be *slightly* more charitable if UA hadn't lost my bag, promised it to me by midnight, and then delivered it to someone else in a hotel in Waikiki) Spending the night in a dreadful hotel room with no clean clothes -- my fault, I know, for checking a bag or not having a change of clothes in my laptop bag -- makes one grouchy

So I Hotwired and ended up at the Pacific Marina Inn.

Out of curiosity, what was the price? I've heard of a few locals from my area stay there too.

Well, here is the embarrassing thing: I Hotwired it for $96, with taxes and Hotwire fees total was $114. Then figured out the kama'aina rate was less.

Well, here is the embarrassing thing: I Hotwired it for $96, with taxes and Hotwire fees total was $114. Then figured out the kama'aina rate was less.

:D Ouch, sorry I asked. I was only trying to figure out if the hotwire and this place was better or worse then the HNL airport hotel.

OT alittle bit, but locals (my locals) who want to also wake up and get some things before their flights (meaning staying near Ala Moana) have stayed at (with what I hear roughly their reported advertised rates are):

Hawaii Polo Inn and tower - I think 70 a night - closest to ala moana
Aqua Marina - 120 a night
Maile Sky court - 90 a night (about a mile and half from ala moana)
Ambassador hotel of Waikiki - 90 a night

Taxi to Ala Moana area is probably roughly 40 - 50 round trip. I've never stayed at any of them nor recommend them, just have heard about these places.

After what you reported I'm still sticking with HNL Airport Hotel.

EDIT: most have stayed and returned to Maile Sky Court

:D Ouch, sorry I asked. I was only trying to figure out if the hotwire and this place was better or worse then the HNL airport hotel.

Room is much, much worse. Restaurant (yes, I was too tired to go anywhere else) about the same (okay, not bad/not great) but with a more limited menu than the Airport Hotel.


Maile Sky court - 90 a night (about a mile and half from ala moana)

I had a not terribly pleasant stay there. It's one of the few hotels in Waikiki where the rooms don't have lanais (which I think is one of the great treats of Waikiki hotels) -- and I got stuck in a malfunctioning elevator for an hour with a seriously crazy person who had (he told us) stopped taking his meds.


After what you reported I'm still sticking with HNL Airport Hotel.

Good plan. :)

Next time I'm just gonna sleep on slippahs' lanai :D

This might not help you get a great room at a great price by the airport, but at least for Waikiki, they seem to be a great option for saving on bookings:

http://www.discounthotelshawaii.com/

Has anyone else tried them?

They don't charge booking fees of any kind, and they got me a room at the Aqua Coconut Plaza Hotel for $65 a night (seems like a perfectly ok place to stay).

The HNL airport hotels are really a mess. BW is the least messy I guess (haven't been for about a year, before their "remodel"), but the area and these hotels attract a lot of vagrants. Don't be wandering outside at night folks, this ain't Waikiki. We've sworn that the next time we come back in the middle of the night and are waiting for our first out flight in the morning, we're just going to sit it out at the airport (yes, that's how bad they are).

ps: cblaisd, we're laughing with you about pacific marina. it is disgusting (and yes, nice grounds). i trust you didn't even look out your window or step outside, as that is usually even worse even than what's inside the rooms. with any luck the police were around arresting people at the hotel, so you had them there if needed.

The HNL airport hotels are really a mess. BW is the least messy I guess (haven't been for about a year, before their "remodel")....

Sounds yummy! We've got overnight kama'aina reservations at the Best Western Plaza Hotel, as it's oficially named, on 3/14, for $119.00, in order to make our 0815 Junkstar connection to SYD on 3/15, since we're flying out of JHM on WP the evening prior (JHM is daylight op.'s only, and the first flight out doesn't cut it). I'll post our experience. Has anybody found their airport shuttle reliable? I'm thinking we'll just cab it from the airport.

I've often seen the BW shuttle going by at HNL. I wouldn't cab it if I were you, unless you were just exhausted -- and willing to deal with an unhappy cabdriver for a 1/4 mile fare :D

I've often seen the BW shuttle going by at HNL. I wouldn't cab it if I were you, unless you were just exhausted -- and willing to deal with an unhappy cabdriver for a 1/4 mile fare :D

Mahalo, cblaisd! And I presume that from the BW to HNL is also no problem at 0600? P.S. Unhappy cab drivers dont bother me a bit: you should see them "nicen-up" when I say "Honey, hand me the 'effen' cell phone: I'm callin' the cops on this SOB for refusing to transport me." Oh yeah, they get real nice, real fast!!!

Airport Hotel

Does the shuttle cruise by the commuter terminal, or do we call them or walk over to the i/i terminal?

TIA,

kaukau

Sorry, don't know. I'd call and I'm sure they'll come to the Commuter Terminal.

Mahalo nui loa.

Mahalo nui loa.

We had to call when we had our bags.

Mahalo, cblaisd! And I presume that from the BW to HNL is also no problem at 0600? P.S. Unhappy cab drivers dont bother me a bit: you should see them "nicen-up" when I say "Honey, hand me the 'effen' cell phone: I'm callin' the cops on this SOB for refusing to transport me." Oh yeah, they get real nice, real fast!!!

First, the shuttle is available 24/7. You call either from your cell phone or the little phone / hotel booth at the airport (right outside international arrival for one place). I prefer calling via cell phone. Depending on the arrival gate they tell you where to wait and they swing by. We normally land at 2 am via international flight and at that time they still come to get us. I know they come to the commuter terminal also.

HNL airport shuttle is easier and faster then BW in the past, that's the reason I stopped going to the BW. Had one occasion where it took hours for them to come. An employee just went through on the same flight we take and she got picked up in five minutes by BW so go figure. Maybe BW's improved on their service.

As far as callin the cops, try calling in the cab number. A friend is a cabbie over there in HNL and he's more afraid of getting his number called in over having the cops called.

Either way I'd use a shuttle, it's a short short way.

Aloha everone!

Posting from the Qantas lounge (Very Nice !) at HNL as we wait for our flight, after spending the night at the Best Western Airport Plaza Hotel. Needed to spend the night in HNL in order to connect to our 0815 JetStar flight to SYD, as no JHM WP flights connect.

WP 1559 arrived on time at 5:50pm at HNL Commuter Terminal, and I immediately went to the traveler's information kiosk courtesy phone and dialed "63" for the BW Plaza. Asked the operator to dispatch a shuttle to pick us up, and she said to wait on the center median, just across from baggage; look for the white Airport Shuttle van, about 15 minutes. Chatted with some friends who happened to be on the same flight as we waited for our bags; picked our luggage up, and walked across to the median to wait.

About 5 minutes later the van drove up, nice driver loaded our bags, and off we went, direct to the hotel, just us, nobody else. 5 minutes later we pulled up to the BW; it's so close, about 1/3 mile, I'd say. The driver unloaded our bags, asked us when we would be returning. We told him 5:00am tomorrow, tipped him $5, and he said he would tell the next driver to expect us. Nice touch.

There was only one person in line ahead of us, and two minutes later we were checking in. Front desk had everything in order, and promptly issued us a room with the king bed we requested when we made the reservation for $119.00, kama'aina. The entire property is designated non-smoking.

In spite of that designation, when we entered the room, it smelled of cigarettes. We opened the window, turned the a/c on, and 5 minutes later, as we settled in the smell was gone. With that out of the way, everything else went way beyond what we expected, BION!

Room 714 faces the airport, and the big picture window revealed a stunning o'ahu sunset, with the heavies coming in and taking off. We opened a bottle of red Bordeaux, and checked out the room: comparable to any Waikiki hotel room at that price range, and frankly, nicer than some: Coral Reef, Ohana Reef towers, and the other Lewers St. properties.

Amenities included free hi-speed internet access, a good 27" Zenith TV with all the usual cable channels, microwave, mini-fridge, iron and ironing board, blow drier, alarm clock radio, coffee maker with coffee and cream/sugar packs, free Honolulu Star-Bulletin, nice bath soap. face soap, shampoo and body lotion; plenty of clean towels in a clean bathroom with new fixtures and plenty of hot water with a good shower head. The king bed with 3 pillows was firm and comfy. We were more than satisfied with the room. It was A-OK.

With the wine stirring up an appetite we wondered about dinner. The hotel has a cocktail lounge and restaurant, but there are even better options! As we looked out our widow, overlooking a very nice pool, I saw a strip mall just across the street with several stores, but one of them caught my eye: Ninja Sushi. So off we went to explore.

As we turned left out the front door we immediately passed Byron's Drive-In, offering 24h local grindz. It is adjacent to the hotel, and would be the ticket for 10pm - 8:00am grinding, for sure. Everything you could possibly think of, on their huge local-kine menu. Just across the street from Byrons: Starbucks, Jamba Juice, L & L Drive in & Chopsticks Express, a fully stocked Mini-Market, and Ninja Sushi! That is just about anything a hungry traveler could want. We decided to try Ninja Sushi, and what a place. It is gorgeous: sparkling clean and colorful, with one of the most creative and inclusive Sushi, Sashimi, Bento, and Japanese menus I have ever seen in the Islands! Take out or dine in, we ordered a Dragon Roll, Superman Roll, and Shrimp Tempura Udon Bowl to go, stopped by the Mini-Market for two 24oz Sapporos, stopped by L & L for some Black Pepper Chicken and noodles; and back to the room to pig out and pass out. Didn't even finish it all!

The shuttle back to the airport departs the BW every 1/2 hour on the 1/2 hours. A fine restful sleep, great shower, and down to the lobby for the 5:00am shuttle. The driver was waiting for us: "You check out while I load your bags" he said. Prompt and swift, the checkout was perfect: total with tax: $133.23. Three minutes later, just us again on the shuttle, we were in front of the Qantas departure area: first in line so as to procure our First Class upgrades! Which we did, and that's how I happen to be in the QF lounge, now, having continental breakfast and coffee, posting this report on their free computers!

Bottom line: the Best Western Airport Hotel met or exceeded everything we needed in an overnight airport accomodation, from airport arrival to departure, and I unhesitatingly recommend it to fellow FTers with similar needs. We would not hesitate to stay there again, and fully intend to.

Well, our JQ4 flight was delayed one hour, from 0815 to 0910, so I figured posting this review now, instead of waiting 'til I got home would make the time go by faster, and it sure did!

Thanks jtkauai, for giving us the heads up about the JQ sale, last September: that's the reason we're here now!

Aloha, and seeyou in Sydney!!!!!

kaukau

Great report kauakau - you're making this a very tempting option for our return flight! Based on all previous reports, I was still considering the Ilikai (love it) @$150+tax or something basic in HNL.

As you've arranged a StarClass upgrade, I can't wait for that report. :)

It's a beautiful Autumn day - see you here soon!

Yes that was a great trip report kaukau. Things sound a bit better at the hotel than the last time we were there (perhaps 2 years).

That's great about the upgrade, although you are going to be toast from getting up so early and flying so long. ;) I'd be envious except that we won't eat airline food anyway, had 3 seats, the (very nice) Air New Zealand lounge which had both nice food and good showers, and best of all, the 40,000 HA points.

Have to agree about Ninja Sushi. :) And, having the Jamba Juice there is a big plus for me when I'm flying out. The shopping center is great place to wait if you're picking folks from the airport up.

I saw a report (but now can't find it) that the Honolulu Airport Hotel had now completed their renovations too.

The HNL airport hotels are really a mess. BW is the least messy I guess (haven't been for about a year, before their "remodel"), but the area and these hotels attract a lot of vagrants. Don't be wandering outside at night folks, this ain't Waikiki. We've sworn that the next time we come back in the middle of the night and are waiting for our first out flight in the morning, we're just going to sit it out at the airport (yes, that's how bad they are).

ps: cblaisd, we're laughing with you about pacific marina. it is disgusting (and yes, nice grounds). i trust you didn't even look out your window or step outside, as that is usually even worse even than what's inside the rooms. with any luck the police were around arresting people at the hotel, so you had them there if needed.

I walked around the area with friends and its not bad at all. We walked to byrons and L&L all the way down to nimitz to catch a bus at 10 pm with kids and its not bad. My friend stayed at Honolulu airport hotel is not bad but the staff is okay.

....The shopping center is great place to wait if you're picking folks from the airport up.

I would think so, but the one time I tried it I actually didn't try it because I always get lost trying to get there. I am probably alone in finding the immediate area near the terminal very confusing. :)

I would think so, but the one time I tried it I actually didn't try it because I always get lost trying to get there. I am probably alone in finding the immediate area near the terminal very confusing. :)
Well I'll admit that the Airport Trade Center is a little out of the way and nestled underneath the freeway on-/off-ramps. So I wouldn't say you're alone in finding it.

This might not help you get a great room at a great price by the airport, but at least for Waikiki, they seem to be a great option for saving on bookings:

http://www.discounthotelshawaii.com/

Has anyone else tried them?

They don't charge booking fees of any kind, and they got me a room at the Aqua Coconut Plaza Hotel for $65 a night (seems like a perfectly ok place to stay).

Yes I have used them - got a $160 room for $80 - no kidding!

Due to the "wonderful" -- not -- service of go! airlines (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=689891), I found myself needing a hotel room at HNL last night. Didn't want to mess with going into Waikiki (or mess with either a rental car + parking or 2-way cab fare) so I booked the $109 kama`aina rate at the Honolulu Airport Hotel (now a part of the `Ohana chain).

It appears that all the rooms in the main building are now renovated. They are still small (and are -- and always were, for that matter -- clean) but the furniture and artwork and bathroom fixtures are new.

The hotel is also now completely non-smoking. There are signs everywhere and it's printed at least three times in the material given you at check-in.

It's still no "destination hotel" by a long shot, but for a stay-nearby-because-of-connections overnight it's fine. Regular rate is ~$149, but with a free airport shuttle (as opposed to the $70 in cab fare to/from Waikiki) it's probably a wash in terms of price with what you could Hotwire/Priceline in Waikiki.

Thanks cblaisd. Seems like us outer-island folk are always getting stuck in HNL on occasion while trying to get home. I'm glad to know that the hotel has improved, and so won't be so afraid to return there again. After our last HNL airport hotel experience, I had vowed to sleep on a bench in the terminal rather than return.

It appears that all the rooms in the main building are now renovated. They are still small (and are -- and always were, for that matter -- clean) but the furniture and artwork and bathroom fixtures are new.

The hotel is also now completely non-smoking. There are signs everywhere and it's printed at least three times in the material given you at check-in.

It's still no "destination hotel" by a long shot, but for a stay-nearby-because-of-connections overnight it's fine. Regular rate is ~$149, but with a free airport shuttle (as opposed to the $70 in cab fare to/from Waikiki) it's probably a wash in terms of price with what you could Hotwire/Priceline in Waikiki.

Thanks! This helps me, we will try the hotel as we are forced to change departure time early in the morning (switching frm Aloha to Mesa...): will drop off rental the night before and sleep at the airport.