Honolulu Honeymoon
 

We are very excited to be spending 4 nights in Honolulu during our August honeymoon. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations for hotels on Waikiki Beach. We have budgeted approx. $300 per night. Would prefer a modern hotel over a large resort type property. Any advice would be appreciated!

Hmmm...I'm a little confused, only because I loved the Hilton Hawaiian Village -- a modern resort-type property ;) However, something like Halekulani might fit the bill for you. It's in a central location in Waikiki, right on the beach, four-star, modern, but on the small side. Definitely feels more like a hotel than a resort. We loved the convenience of HHV, but if you're looking for something more intimate, Halekulani would be worth pricing out...I don't think you'll find many people to give you a negative review of that place! ((R))

It is worth pricing your options, but in my experience August in HI is pricey. Remember to add tax as the rates will be without room tax.

Oh goodness, I just checked Halekulani's website for a few random dates in August and prices start around $485.

We stayed at the HHV in August for $249/night, if that helps. You might have to deal with a resort atmosphere if you want a modernized room! :-/

The Halekulani would absolutely fill your needs, but it is indeed pricey. I would recommend the HHV as well--it's big and yes, it's a resort for sure! But you do get a lot of bang for your buck. First off, they do a good job of creating an exotic tropics feel in a city space. Second, the rooms are pretty nice, and many of them have spectacular views of downtown Waikiki, Diamond Head, and/or the harbor. Third, we received what we considered to be good service there considering they are a mega-resort.

That said, if you are looking for something a little smaller, I'd consider the Waikiki Parc, which is the sister boutique hotel to the Halekulani. The rooms are very modern, Japanese style, and we found the staff to be very accomodating.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is very popular as is HHV which has an awful lot to offer. The Sheraton Moana Surfrider may be another possible it is a beautiful historic hotel.

HHV is within your budget. Halekulani is not.

You might also check out some of the Resortquest properties that are right across the street from the beach.

Also Outrigger Reef on the Beach is a good value. Not as good a hotel as Halekulani or HHV, but still nice & lots less expensive than any other hotel right on the beach.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

www.visit-oahu.com Free brochure. There are over 400 websites for lodging, restaurants, attractions in the brochure & on the site. Click on: OVB Yellow Pages

Try the W Honolulu. Modern, a little quieter than the central Waikiki hotels, and as close as you can get to a boutique hotel in Waikiki. It looks like if you book the cheapest room it will come in under $300 (although taxes might put you over).

Well they are not modern, they are the two oldest hotels(!) but they are not large resort properties, rather quite classic... Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider.

There are only a small number of hotels that are actually *on* Waikiki Beach (like less than 10 choices I believe).

Looks like the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider are a little over your budget (not by much though). I'm seeing good reports on Waikiki Beach Marriott with rates in the mid to upper 200's. It's a large, resort property though.