My wife and I arrive in Honolulu at 1:30 on a Sunday morning in March. We're staying at a friend's place Sunday on, but we don't want to drive all the way there to wake her up. Is there somewhere fairly close to the airport that is not expense account only? We're from Canada, so we have to add 50% to any hotel bills! Yikes!Any suggestions?

Yes, fellow Canadian there is a property about 1 mile from the airport that will be just fine for your stay...Holiday Inn Honolulu. they even have a shuttle that takes you back and forth for free, but make sure it operates that late. Their rate is about 100.00 but they do offer Triple AAA or at the time we had a special Holiday Inn card.

Oops, sorry...they have a website...just punch in Holiday Inn Honolulu. the 800 number will be there.

There are actually 2 hotels near the airport. The Plaza Hotel (Best Western) and the Honolulu Airport Hotel (not a Holiday Inn anymore). As Annemarie said, about 1 mile from the airport.

Aloha

Keith,

Don't know if you'd be interested, but the Honolulu Airport has it's own mini-hotel, 17 single rooms with just bed, nightstand, shower, etc., for $33.00/person for eight hours, $5 more for each extra hour. You have to book well ahead but it might be worth looking into, although for two people, Holiday Inn (with some kind of discount if you could get one) would probably be just as cheap.

Had read about this option in some travel guides, although I've never done it. I have the phone # if you should be interested - just post again.

The mini-hotel is just a place to take a nap and grab a shower when on a long international flight...no windows. I'd say leave the airport, feel the tropical breeze, and if you must, check in at one of the above options. I'd prefer a dip in the ocean the morning after arriving in Hawaii, though. If you just want to delay your pick-up at the airport by a few hours, then the mini-hotel is an option, but a claustrophobic one.
At any rate, welcome to Honolulu.

Aloha,
-k

I forgot to mention, I don't think you can share a room at the mini-hotel.

Standard rates at this hotel are currently $112.00/night. AAA rates are a few dollars cheaper.