Hey,

I'm flying out to Hawaii as part of my post-bar exam trip. I handled all the flights/cars, while my friend has been doing the majority of the hotel accommodations.

Anyway, surprised by my success on PriceLine with the car rentals, he figured it would be good for a hotel. We were originally gonna book at the Pagoda Hotel (recommended by Japanese friends), but he apparently got a better deal via Priceline at Makaha Resort. It's not a big deal, since it's basically just going to be a place to sleep (we plan to be visiting friends from college on the islands and looking at Hawaiian sights) but I was curious if anyone knows anything about that place. All I know right now is that it's a little far from the airport and it's "leeward."

Thanks in advance!

This used to be the Sheraton Makaha Resort. The owner sold the resort and, in the process, ended the management agreement with Sheraton about 10 years ago.

The hotel is about a 45 minute drive from the airport in Honolulu midway up
the west coast of the island. When you get to Makaha, make a right turn and head up into the hills for about half a mile. It's in a quiet residential area. Although the hotel is not on a beach there is a public beach and parking available in town.

The hotel is best known for it's golf facilities. The scenic coarse is
surrounded by lush hills. The rooms, unless there have been any renovations,
are nothing fancy.

Makaha is outside the tourist zone. When I was there, the choice
for food was either eating at the hotel or going to one of the small
shopping centers in the nearby town of Waianae for Chinese fast food takeout. There is no nightlife and things get very quiet after dark. The nearest area with a larger selection of restaurants is Ko Olina which is mid way between the Makaha and the airport. To reach most of the sightseeing on Oahu, you'll need to drive back into Honolulu and beyond. Be prepared to start and end the day with an hour plus drive to find areas
of interest.

Haha, I guess that's why it's $50/night. C'est la vie.

I'm sure it will be fine. Is the area safe? I recall reading that there were a number of unsafe beaches (10+% chance of a break-in and so forth). Is that still the case?

Good descriptions from Edsh. Makaha resort is nice, not elegant. If you need to get into Honolulu between 6 - 10 AM, I'd budget 1.5 hours, less than an hour at mid-day. Also know that the area has a few great beaches, but there has been a problem with homeless and drug attics. Never leave anything in of value in your car. And you might stay away from beaches dominated by local surfers - look for families. Enjoy your stay, it really is lovely up there.

OK, I was writing while you posted, so I'll elaborate. Some beaches on the leeward side and near Waimanolo on the windward side are full of local youths who resent mainlanders and may create problems for you. Lots of beaches are entirely safe, however. Makaha Beach Park is usually OK, has lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and is frequented by families. ALWAYS leave cars empty, and park them in view or in high traffic areas. If you parked in secluded areas near Waimanolo or some areas of Waianae, I'd estimate the odds of finding your car broken into at higher than 10%.

We stayed there several years ago. If you simply want a place to sleep, its Ok, but it's a long drive from any decent resturants or shops and the rooms were dark and dingy. We booked on hotels.com and couldn't cancel, so we faked an illness to get out of there and went to back to Waikiki. I would avoid if possible.

The following is from the May 3, 2007 Honolulu Star Bulletin. Although this is but once incident, I think you should be aware of the problems along the Waianae Coast.

"LEEWARD OAHU

Man arrested after assault victim dies

Police arrested a 21-year-old Nanakuli man yesterday for investigation of second-degree murder after a 34-year-old North Carolina man he allegedly punched died two days later.

Police said the visitor had arrived April 22 in Honolulu, rented a car and drove out to the Leeward Coast where he attended a luau."

After the luau, he drove along the Leeward Coast to find a beach where he could camp, police said.The man stopped at a beach park where he saw other campers, and the 21-year-old man confronted him and allegedly punched him without provocation on the left ear at 11:56 p.m., police said. The visitor fell, police said.

He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he died two days later, police said.

Police investigating the case later identified the suspect and arrested him yesterday morning at his home.

There are problems everywhere, I just read of a problem in Kailua where a man went and smashed someones car windows with a bat. A couple of months ago somebody punched someone out in front of a restaurant in Waikiki. I think you have to use your better judgment and not put yourself in situations that might get you into trouble. I.e. staying out late all by yourself,
leaving valuables in your car in plain sight, walking all alone in a deserted area at night. It is unfortunate that people are still saying things like this about Makaha. This information is very much outdated. The city has cleared out all the homeless on the Waianae coastline and it is beautiful. When last I went there a few months ago, I saw families on the beach picnicking, fishing and really enjoying the beauty of the area. People that don't come to Makaha to visit are really missing out on one of the most beautiful parts of this island especially because it's outdated previous reputation is no longer true.

There are problems everywhere, I just read of a problem in Kailua where a man went and smashed someones car windows with a bat. A couple of months ago somebody punched someone out in front of a restaurant in Waikiki. I think you have to use your better judgment and not put yourself in situations that might get you into trouble. I.e. staying out late all by yourself,
leaving valuables in your car in plain sight, walking all alone in a deserted area at night. It is unfortunate that people are still saying things like this about Makaha. This information is very much outdated. The city has cleared out all the homeless on the Waianae coastline and it is beautiful. When last I went there a few months ago, I saw families on the beach picnicking, fishing and really enjoying the beauty of the area. People that don't come to Makaha to visit are really missing out on one of the most beautiful parts of this island especially because it's outdated previous reputation is no longer true.

I believe we stayed there when it was a Sherton. What a surprise. No hotel at all. The rooms were 2 or 4 plex bungalows. The dining room was in the office area, a wide spot in a hall way where a few tables were set up each night. Mostly golfers, few tourists.

There was a KFC, otherwise no places to eat. A small grocery was also only several miles away, but was really a "locals" market. It is located a long way from almost anything you want to visit.

The room was nice. It came with a cat that entered our room each time we returned, but also exited when we did. It loved KFC. We had lots of spiders, ants, and a gekko that hid behind a huge mirror on the wall.

Not an unpleasant stay, but nothing like we expected! Stayed on points. I would not have recommended it after we stayed, but it has been so long now and change of ownership, etc....so good luck. In Hawaii, it is almost always good enough!