I'm just starting to plan a trip to Oahu around Thanksgiving. To start with, I am trying to decide how long to stay. My sister will be attending the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and my family (my mom, my brother and my husband and I) are planning on visiting her. My mom and my brother will probably stay one week (Sat-Sat), but my husband and I are thinking of staying longer. How long would you recommend to spend on Oahu? Is a week enough? Is 10 days better?

Also, does anyone have hotel recommendations. We are looking for something on the cheap side. I don't really care if it is ocean front, but it should be in a decent area. If we are staying 7-10 days it can't be too cramped and it would be really nice to have some sort of kitchenette. I've found some pretty cheap places (< $100)...how terrible could they be? Are there any bad sections of Honolulu I should avoid?

Also, I am leaning towards renting a car, but my husband doesn't think it is necessary. What do you think? If we're there for a week or more I'm sure we'll want to explore the island. Is the bus any good?

Thanks!
Kasey

A great budget hotel is the Ilima (www.ilima.com) It's in a great location behind the Int'l Marketplace, and just blocks to the beach. The studios are good sized and have kitchens and nice big balconies overlooking the canal and mountains. They usually have internet specials around $100. Another plus is that they offer free parking which is huge in waikiki if you rent a car - which you should to see the island.

That hotel looks great. Thanks for the tip!

Also, www.ohana.com.
My experience that the Ilima is usually closer to $150.-, although maybe you can get a Studio there for more like a $100.- on a special as Seattlesue mentions. Also check tripadvisor.com.

The Royal Grove has kitchenettes, basic pool, and is a budget travelers favorite at under $100.
www.royalgrovehotel.com

The Hawaiiana Hotel has kitchenettes and beautiful pools and gardens a bit over $100.
hawaiianahotelatwaikiki.com

Given the opportunity, I could easily spend several weeks on Oahu.

Some of those cheap hotels can be pretty darn terrible, to answer your question. Run-down, dirty, bugs, etc. if I'm to believe what I over heard around town.

If you have specific places you are considering, check the reviews on Trip Advisor... The two I mention get pretty consistent very good reviews there.

I think you can get around only by using The Bus. Maybe rent a car just for a couple days to go up to the North Shore?

IMHO, Kaseyh, ten days isn't enough on Oahu!!! Go for the max!
Also, I'd recommend renting a car, at least for part of your trip. There are many car rental places right in Waikiki, if you prefer to just have wheels for part of your trip/
Suze gave you great budget recs, and the Hawaiiana has that older feel to it which "feels" more old-Hawaiian than the high rise places (it is like a two story motel around a tropical courtyard).
However, i think there is now lots of contruction in the area in preparation for Outrigger's new Beach Walk Center . Perhaps some of the local Honolulu Fodors folks will know for sure...or call the Hawaiiana to ask.
The streets around UH are in a lovely residential area. Your sister will be in a section of Manoa, a wonderful part of Honolulu. Try to stop at Andy's Sandwich Shop on E. Manoa Rd. for great local lunchtime food.
Aloha, and happy trip planning!

FYI, the Breakers is a good one to check into also:http://www.breakers-hawaii.com/home.html

Rent a car. By the time you pay for airport chuttles, cabs, buses & tours you can do on your own, you won't save any $$. Plus you will have spent hours on or waiting for transportation.

10 days would be best, but you can see & do most things in 7 days.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

Lots of budget info:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...aii/index.html

Thanks for all the advice. I'm getting excited about our trip!

I just got back from Oahu on Monday night and would definitely recommend a car. The taxis can get expensive and waiting for a bus wasn't much fun.

Happy planning

I don't normally recommend moving around, but maybe you can check out the Manoa Valley Inn (if they haven't sold it), which is across from UH.
http://www.manoavalleyinn.com/

Maybe do that for a few nights then head into Waikiki to stay the rest.

If you don't choose Manoa Valley Inn at all, I do recommend you try to find a hotel more on the east side of Waikiki. Kapahulu Avenue is a straight shot to UH.

The Breakers is right next door to The Hawaiian. It's a nice hotele too but more money than they were hoping to spend.

I know that The Hawaiiana survived the Outrigger Lewers Street "remodel", but am not certain if there is any construction noise to be considered at this time.

Some hotels charge as much as $20 for parking, so be sure you factor that into your accomodation charges if you rent a car. We stayed at the Marriott on Waikiki Bay and loved it. Our first room was bad though, on a low floor near where the daily deliveries were being made. Woke us up at 6 am the first day. But after we complained, they upgraded us to a lovely, upper level floor with a wonderful view. Waikiki can be noisy, so no matter what hotel you get (and ocean view or not), I would recommend the higher-level floors based on our experience.

And do get a car, but maybe not for the entire time. The Marriott rented cars right from the hotel, so we were able to have the car for the first 5 days, then turn it right in for the last 5 days when we didn't need it anymore.

Do the "loop" driving around the entire island. It is spectacular. We actually did it twice, once in each direction.

If you see a little yellow lunch truck on the east side, be sure to stop. It is the "shrimp shack" and my sister-in-law runs it. She makes shrimp, chili & rice, all kinds of grilled fish, etc. Great food while traveling on the go.