Please give me some recommendation as to which hotel is good to stay in honolulu. I am leaning toward Hilton, but just want some more input before making a decision.

Regards,
Empress

Take advantage of the Point Stretcher this season: Hawaiian Village Hilton for 5 nights at 60K points. A deal. Their lagoon's water is warmer than the other beaches' and, at this time of year, it is an issue. Or, if you don't have to be at Waikiki, stay at Turtle Bay Hilton (also available as a point stretcher) in a part of the island which is more like the old Hawaii. The best beaches on Oahu are a stone's throw from Turtle Bay.

Do not stay Hyatt - dinky pool, no beach. Sheraton Moana looked wonderful - on the beach and a nice porch to rock on and watch the world go by. I would stay there in a flash if prices were equal to others in its class. A gorgeous classic hotel.

Just found a website on W hote in honolulu... how's that one?

I am selecting between the couple of sheratons and hilton. Got a lot of good comments from Hilton thread.

Regards,
Empress

[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 11-12-1999).]

Haven't stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian village but I did notice there was some renovation going on there. It is at the end of Waikiki beach near Fort DeRussy.

As we drove by for the Turtle Bay Hilton on the North Shore, I heard comments that the property is pretty run down and not kept up well by Hilton.

The "W" hotel, formerly the Colony Surf, was
renovated and recently opened as a Starwood property. Its a small boutique type hotel, with some 48 rooms. I believe that they have the "Heavenly" beds that was described on the Starwood board. Its off the main drag of Waikiki beach and is located close to the Waikik Aquarium.

Maybe TropicalFlyer can describe the hotels in more detail.

My favorite Honolulu hotel is the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, 100 Holomoana St in front of the yacht club (800)300-0633. All rooms are full ocean view and nice pool. About 80% of the guests are oriental. Excellent Fri seafood buffet and Sun brunch. It is also the 1st stop on the shuttles too. A 5 min walk to the crowded, noisy and busy HHV and its many restaurants, birds and penguins etc. The Prince is part of Starwood FFP too.

Turtle Bay Hilton is getting shabby, but still a good hotel and a fantastic location on the north shore. The Hawaii Prince in Maui (Makena) (800)300-0633 is a sister hotel to the above. This is my real favorite and a bargain. Same comments apply for pool and food.

I've heard good things about the New Otani (never stayed there personally, though. Anyone?). It's located at the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, close enough to restaurants and other locales, but out of the hustle 'n' bustles of Waikiki itself, very close to Diamond Head, and right on Kaimana Beach, one of the nicest beaches in the Waikiki area.

[This message has been edited by honu (edited 11-12-1999).]

I always hate to recommend places as it is such a personal taste thing. I prefer to be away from the crowds and close to the birds but close enough that I can get to dining etc.

We stayed at the New Otani Kaimana Beach this last weekend and were suitably impressed. Despite some hiccups in the reservation (largely Travelocity's problem), they went out of their way to ensure that we were happy--gave us free rollaway (normally $20 extra/day) and two free full breakfasts each day (a $24 value/day).

It is in a quiet residential area on a good beach (no pool though) surrounded by a municipal park and just a short (fast 5 minute, leisurely 10 minute) walk to Waikiki. Soom rooms are small, but then so are many in Waikiki. Our studio faced the park, had a fridge and microwave with all utensils etc. and was $135/night for the three of us (special deal available via Travelocity). Room was comfortable for two but a little cramped for 3--rollaway was a full bed with a great mattress.

If you want hustle and bustle, lots of shops and a good "private" beach then the Hilton Hawaiian Village looked great.

Rudi and Gisela stayed at the Halekulani, "A Leading Hotel of the World", but I didn't get a chance to see much of it -- great food though. I presume it would be at the top of the places to stay list. In the heart of the action without all the traffic noise and on the beach.

If you don't mind the crowds and the skinny public beach of Waikiki then the Sheraton Moana Surfrider looked good.

There are lots of good places that are not on the beach that offer great value--condos etc.

If you want to be in a quieter location the Kahala Mandarin is the place. Located minutes from Waikiki on the edge of the Wailae Country Club, it is sensational. Don't be intimidated by published rates...they often deal, particularly during 4th quarter. Even if you don't stay there, come by during the day to see one of their live dolphin shows. Fantastic beach, and the nearby Kahala Mall has some great breakfast places.

Confirming honu and BB above, I do HNL once each year since my sister lives there. The HHV was the first place I'd stayed at there in Oahu about 20 years ago and I found it overwhelmingly large and somewhat impersonal.

The New Otani is always my first choice for the last six years and it is a tremendous value, IMHO.

The Sheraton Moana Surfrider is lovely and superb and it is my perrenial second choice and my wife loves it. It's the place where one of her friends were married soon after the renovation. Breakfast overlooking the beach here is as good as at New Otani under the RLS banyan tree!

The only condo type place I've ever rented for a week was at Discovery Bay and it was okay but no big deal either and it was about twelve yeras ago.

The Halekulani has for sometime been the place to stay here but I never felt it was worth the rates they typically ask. I've preferred just to go to La Mer for dinner or for the great breakfast. Patricia was the manager here (five years ago) and was great but I'm not sure if she is still there.

Not too crazy about the Turtle Bay Hilton, here I've visited but never stayed. They do have a special rate deal going on now for about US$149./night so you may want to check out the Hilton website if you haven't already.

I liked the Moana Surfrider--comfortable and intimate, though the king room I had was tiny ($132/night with a UA 50% off certificate--the certificate was worth about $40, as the saver rates were in the $175 range w/o breakfast, $190 range w/breakfast.

I thought the HHV had the charm of an airplane terminal--just didn't trip my trigger (although I dislike Las Vegas for the same reason).

jl

I stayed for a week in January at the Turtle Bay Hilton. It's currently undergoing renovations, so I can certainly understand the comments about its past shabbiness. It's biggest asset is the peace and quiet and beauty of North Shore. Plus it's easy to get a good rate (we even used UA 50%-off hotel certs) and the rooms were adequate and quite large. It's a spectacular location and the grounds are very pretty. Perfect spot for watching the sun sink into the sea whilst sipping innumerable pina coladas. ;D

Although I am not generally a Honolulu fan, add me to the group that likes the New Otani.

I haven't been there in a few years, but I have always liked the location. It is close to Waikiki, but you are away from the main hustle and bustle.

Having breakfast under their huge Banyan Tree is always a treat.

If you want to just lie on the beach and relax, there's no better place than the Ihilani, which is on the same side of Oahu as Honolulu, but the other way. When you leave the airport, you go to the right to go to Honolulu, and to get to the Ihilani, you go left. It's a good 20-25 minute drive into Honolulu from there. But they have three beautiful lagoons, a very nice walking trail and wonderful rooms. It is definitely away from it all. When we stayed there last year, it was owned and run by Japan Air Lines, but not sure if they still operate it. They also have a wonderful spa there. A lot of locals stay there on the weekend because they get a kama'aina rate, for those people who live on Oahu and want to spend a weekend away from home. However, if you want to stay in Honolulu and still have beautiful, quiet beach time, you are welcome to use the lagoons and beaches at the Ihilani. Just don't park at the hotel, but drive to the left and park in the lots. I believe all beaches in Hawaii are public, whether or not they're in front of a hotel.

Has anyone stayed at Waikiki Parc Hotel near Halekulani? BTW Halekulani manages the hotel. It offers attractive package rates. http://www.waikikiparchotel.com/

I haven't stayed but I like one of its restaurants, Parc Cafe. Dinner buffet is one of the best values in Oahu, IMHO.

------------------
Dan
"It is not doing the things we like to do, but liking the things we have to do, that makes life blessed." - Goethe

My choice would be the Prince Hotel. Of course, I am swayed by its wonderful breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets especially the bread pudding with vanilla sauce. It has a shuttle that goes to around Waikiki so you don't have to walk unless you want to. And what other hotel leaves little storybooks as part of their turndown service? However, not all of their rooms have an ocean view so request one if you want one.