Honolulu hotel advice needed
#1
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Honolulu hotel advice needed
I'd appreciate advice on Honolulu hotels.
Ideally, I'd like a quiet hotel close to or on the beach with a garden-like setting and a nice pool that isn't overrun with children (sorry, I need a break-- I work in education). Also, I'm not interested in any "scene" or nightlife. Just relaxation!
I'm considering:
1. Outrigger Reef
2. Waikiki Beachcomber
3. Royal Garden at Waikiki
4. Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
5. Waikiki Parc
6. Queen Kapiolani Hotel
7. Pacific Beach Hotel
I've read the many positive reviews of the Outrigger Reef, but its immense size is a bit daunting. Is it crowded?
Many thanks for your feedback!!
AG
p.s. Please don't recommend another island -- I'm locked into Oahu.
Ideally, I'd like a quiet hotel close to or on the beach with a garden-like setting and a nice pool that isn't overrun with children (sorry, I need a break-- I work in education). Also, I'm not interested in any "scene" or nightlife. Just relaxation!
I'm considering:
1. Outrigger Reef
2. Waikiki Beachcomber
3. Royal Garden at Waikiki
4. Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
5. Waikiki Parc
6. Queen Kapiolani Hotel
7. Pacific Beach Hotel
I've read the many positive reviews of the Outrigger Reef, but its immense size is a bit daunting. Is it crowded?
Many thanks for your feedback!!
AG
p.s. Please don't recommend another island -- I'm locked into Oahu.
#3
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None of these is quiet or in a garden setting. Those attributes are tough to come by in Waikiki on the beach. It's fun, but not quiet.
Suggestions for more peace and quiet beachfront on Oahu, though you'll pay for seclusion:
J.W. Marriott Ihilani at Ko'Olina, on the Leeward side.
Kahala Mandarin Oriental in Kahala, a more "suburban" area.
Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. I can't vouch for this resort; the hotel used to be a Hilton and recently changed hands, but they're putting money into it. There should also be rental condos available in this development.
If you don't need a pool and can stand to be one building away from the beach, the W Honolulu is, unlike many of their hotels, quite peaceful. A great location on the Gold Coast off Kapiolani Park.
You might also try the Waikiki Marc. It's on Kuhio, rather than directly on the beach, and the rooms are apt to be a bit noisy. It's not exactly luxury, but it has a great back garden with a nice pool.
Also on the Gold Coast are the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel and the Diamond Head Beach Hotel. I'm not sure about facilities for either, but they're in a much quieter location than Waikiki beachfront.
Suggestions for more peace and quiet beachfront on Oahu, though you'll pay for seclusion:
J.W. Marriott Ihilani at Ko'Olina, on the Leeward side.
Kahala Mandarin Oriental in Kahala, a more "suburban" area.
Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. I can't vouch for this resort; the hotel used to be a Hilton and recently changed hands, but they're putting money into it. There should also be rental condos available in this development.
If you don't need a pool and can stand to be one building away from the beach, the W Honolulu is, unlike many of their hotels, quite peaceful. A great location on the Gold Coast off Kapiolani Park.
You might also try the Waikiki Marc. It's on Kuhio, rather than directly on the beach, and the rooms are apt to be a bit noisy. It's not exactly luxury, but it has a great back garden with a nice pool.
Also on the Gold Coast are the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel and the Diamond Head Beach Hotel. I'm not sure about facilities for either, but they're in a much quieter location than Waikiki beachfront.
#4
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I just got back from Waikiki and stayed at the Ohana Royal Islander which is just across the street (small street) from the Outrigger Reef. Guests staying at the Royal Islander are allowed to use the pool at the Outrigger Reef as they belong to the same company. The Royal Islander is much cheaper than the Reef. Also, because the hotel is smaller, there is less hustle and bustle. To get to the beach, you cross the street, walk along the side of the Outrigger Reef and there you are on the beach.
#5
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hi ag,
i agree with chas' comments. however, if you want to be in waikiki, here are my suggestions:
all the hotels youmentioned are not really in a 'quiet garden setting.' i have seen many kids at the outrigger reef, i think this is a nice hotel, nice pool and the shorebird restaurant which you cook your own dinner and that seems to be popular with tourists and kids.
the beachcomber is in a great spot, fairly quiet, i have seen a mix of people here but not a lot of kids, and their pool area is pretty laid back with a nice view of the ocean.
the royal garden is furthest from the beach (maybe 15 min walk?), but last time i was there it was very quiet and seemed to be mostly business-types there.
the aston seemed to be more geared towards young people and family, and although i think it's also a good hotel it might not be as 'quiet' as you'd like.
the waikiki parc is a lovely little hotel, i think it belongs to the same company as the halekulani hotel just scross the street. i don't know if they have a pool, but i have dined there and it seemed mostly older types stay there. if you can use the pool at the halekulani, that would be a top choice.
i have not stayed at the queen kapiolani or pacific beach, but the PB is a big hotel and i think a lot of familes would opt for it. i do know that the PB is a big 'tour group' hotel. the QK is smaller than PB, and can be more quiet, tho the honolulu zoo is across the road.
a couple of smaller hotels you might want to consider are the hawaiiana hotel and the waikiki joy hotel. the hawaiiana is maybe 5 min from the beach near the outrigger reef, and has a small garden-like feel around the pool. the joy is a small, older boutique hotel that is maybe 10 min away from the beach, but i don't know if they have a pool. maybe someone else can elaborate?
good luck with your search!
i agree with chas' comments. however, if you want to be in waikiki, here are my suggestions:
all the hotels youmentioned are not really in a 'quiet garden setting.' i have seen many kids at the outrigger reef, i think this is a nice hotel, nice pool and the shorebird restaurant which you cook your own dinner and that seems to be popular with tourists and kids.
the beachcomber is in a great spot, fairly quiet, i have seen a mix of people here but not a lot of kids, and their pool area is pretty laid back with a nice view of the ocean.
the royal garden is furthest from the beach (maybe 15 min walk?), but last time i was there it was very quiet and seemed to be mostly business-types there.
the aston seemed to be more geared towards young people and family, and although i think it's also a good hotel it might not be as 'quiet' as you'd like.
the waikiki parc is a lovely little hotel, i think it belongs to the same company as the halekulani hotel just scross the street. i don't know if they have a pool, but i have dined there and it seemed mostly older types stay there. if you can use the pool at the halekulani, that would be a top choice.
i have not stayed at the queen kapiolani or pacific beach, but the PB is a big hotel and i think a lot of familes would opt for it. i do know that the PB is a big 'tour group' hotel. the QK is smaller than PB, and can be more quiet, tho the honolulu zoo is across the road.
a couple of smaller hotels you might want to consider are the hawaiiana hotel and the waikiki joy hotel. the hawaiiana is maybe 5 min from the beach near the outrigger reef, and has a small garden-like feel around the pool. the joy is a small, older boutique hotel that is maybe 10 min away from the beach, but i don't know if they have a pool. maybe someone else can elaborate?
good luck with your search!


