My wife, our 2yr. old twins, my mother and I will be on Oahu in September for a wedding. My wife & I have been once before and every time we travel we end up staying at some budget hotel that looks like Motel 6. This time around she wants to stay somewhere nicer, preferable with a definite Hawaiian feel/decor/motif to the hotel & room (not quite so plain & white). This will be my mother's first time in Hawaii and she generally likes to stay at a nice hotel near some shopping. Any recommendations as to where we can stay in the Waikiki/Honolulu area that has a "Hawaiian theme" in Hawaii? Maybe near the beach? My budget is still small ($1,600.00 to $1,700.00 for 7 days) with a one bedroom - w/sofa sleeper room preferable; otherwise split the budget between two separate rooms. Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks!!

I don't know about "budget" or "Hawaiian Theme", but the Hilton Hawaiian Village is wonderful, especially the grounds.(They even have penguins and a brief evening sunset show). They have all different rooms and types.

I was also going to reccomend the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We recently stayed there and it was a great location. It was booked through either Priceline or Hotwire for $170 a night. It didn't meet your room requirements though, as mine only had two beds. Good luck!!

We usually stay at the Ilima. They have great internet specials and rooms that range from studios, to one or two bedroom suites. The nicest rooms have a view of the canal and mountains. The staff is very kind and it feels truly hawaiian. The location is right behind the international marketplace.

The Hawaiiana Hotel on Beach Walk three blocks from Waikiki. See their website to see if it's what you have in mind.

Even more budget minded try The Royal Grove. Also has a website.

Resortquest Waikiki Sunset is a nice condo. It has one & two bedrooms.

Resortquest Waikiki Banyon is nice. It has one bedrooms.

This is a map of most hotels & condos in Waikiki:

http://www.waikiki.us/waikikimap.htm...260bb1d8c8b18a

To compare hotels & condos in Waikiki:

www.expedia.com

www.bookit.com

www.hawaii-hotels.com Scroll to the bottom & where it says VISIT, click on Oahu hotels or Oahu condos.

This link has some budget info including lodging:

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

For alternative lodging throughout Oahu:

www.vrbo.com

The Ilima is nice (Hawaiiana and Breakers too). Although if you can get the HHV in your budget, I'd go for that. Great location and grounds.

Check the VRBO.com link Dusty posted, you can get some really nicely furnished private condo rentals and the owners usually keep a Hawaiian decor theme. The convenience of a condo also really help with the budget.

I believe the Hilton Hawaiian Village may also have some timeshare facilities w/ one bedrooms. The Hilton property has a great beach in front of it.

Also, just a thought...you can mix an Oahu stay with a few days in Waikiki for the wedding and then head to the Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Villas to give your wife and mother more of the luxury, secluded beach environment. If your stay is after Sept. 12, they have beautiful 1 bdrs on special from $220-$250 a night and the lagoons & pool enviroment would be perfect for your twins. For the special just join their free rewards club and go to http://marriott.com website.

Thank you all sooooo much! These are great ideas and I'm going to start checking them all out. Can't tell you how helpful this has been.

Here's I'll make it easier!

www.hawaiianahotelatwaikiki.com

Ok if you are planning on spending a lot of time in you hotel than don't read any further. The Royal Grove is two blocks from Kuhio Beach which is where the statue of Duke is. It isn't fancy but very Hawaiian it is family owned and quite friendly. You can get 1 bedroom that has a double and a single bed plus a four burner stove with oven full size fridge and m/w and coffee maker. You may also borrow boards and mats and other beach items. The only drawback is it is getting more popular and thus harder to get a room. I should mention that if you are over 5'10" the bed may take some getting use to.

Suze, thanks for posting the Hawaiiana website. I want to go now!

I really like the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki as an alternative....it's not beachfront per se, but overlooks the water, and very close to shopping. It's just on the perimeter of Waikiki so you won't be stuck in all the hustle & bustle.
http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/h...ince-hotel.php