Condo Help in Honolulu
 

We'll be ending a cruise in Honolulu and plan on staying 4 days. This is our first trip and I'm overwhelmed by the choices.

We're not beach people, so we don't need beachfront. I've been looking at this condo
http://www.alohacondos.com/oahu/ilikai-marina/992
that I found on vrbo. Is this a reasonable place to stay? Are there downsides or upsides that I'm not taking into account?

Thanks in advance!

DH and I stayed in a condo in the Ilikai Marina two years ago and loved it. (This is the one we stayed in. http://www.vrbo.com/1480730) We loved sitting on the tiny balcony in the morning having coffee and watching the marina wake up. And the location is a short walk from Waikiki Beach and the Hilton Village--we had dinner one night in the Tropics beach front restaurant there.

If you are going to have a car, there is a parking garage in the Ilikai Marina (very handy). And the Ala Moana shopping center is a short drive away--there is a supermarket there. http://www.alamoanacenter.com/

If you have any other questions about the building etc. Let me know.

I too like the Ilikai Marina. I stayed in this condo (and will be staying again next April) If you rent a car, the included parking is great. This condo is a corner unit looking to the marina and the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

http://www.vrbo.com/77336

PS, I think you are on the right track, just find the right unit for you.

Thanks so much for the info!

My now 100 year old aunt was born in Hawaii, but has lived on the East Coast from the mid-1940's. She used to travel back to Oahu regularly in February, staying for a month.

She rented at the Ilikai Marina for quite a number of years and loved it. Close to Waikiki but not in it, walking distance to Ala Moana Center, a block from the bus line. Coffee in the morning and evening cocktails on their lanai overlooking the boat harbor were daily rituals.

Here's anpther endorsement for Ilikai, but this time the hotel rooms or condos within the hotel. BIG rooms with huge balconies, some with kitchenettes. We were happy with both 'Oceanfront' and 'Lagoon View' -- as long as the 'Lagoon View' was high up so you could see the city at night but not hear the noise. The location is quieter than being IN Waikiki, and Da Bus stops right at the front door if you don't want to have a car.

Try Wailana Coffee House, just a bit towards the city.

I had a unit at the Hilton Hawaiian village in the new building and my view at night was the very bright marina. More light than I needed.... It is an older complex.

Aside from condos, you can also consider renting a villa especially if you are planning to stay longer. It's more cheaper I guess and at the same time, you will have a bigger space. Great choice of condos and villas here ( http://www.resorticahawaii.com/ ). I hope it helps! Good luck and have fun visiting Hawaii!

I have not stayed at the Illikai but I do want to one day. We ate at the little cafe there which was reasonably priced and had some good onion rings, outdoors near the marina. I do like that end of Waikiki because it's quiet and my favorite breakfast place, Wailana Coffee House as ChiSue mentioned, is right there. Also every Friday night at Hilton Hawaiian Village, there are free fireworks. You might be able to even see them from your unit depending on where you face, or you can just walk towards the Hilton and catch them there. Just next door to the Illikai. :)
Definitely see if you can rent a unit with the parking included as it saves a lot or else just factor the daily cost of parking into your rate. I like VRBO, Homeaway, Flipkey, Airbnb to search for condos (although I have only rented via VRBO so far).
Have a great vacation! I love Oahu!