I went into shock at hotel prices in Honolulu or Waikiki in late Feb. Out of curiosity, went to vrbo.com to look at prices for condo rental. There are a fair # of privately rented condos within 1-2 blocks of beach that are much less expensive than hotels, and I'm now suspicious as to why since I'd expect a 1 BR condo to cost more per night. Any comments? For example, one was $180/nt and another $215/nt, both are yards from ocean, and units look decent, whereas even a 3 star hotel on discount sites cost more.

shhhhh...you'll get everyone in on the secret. After my first condo stay two decades ago, I would never hotel it unless I absolutely had to. Be gone from the room from X to X for the maid, listen to toilets flush and tvs all night, kids running down halls, hunt for ice machines, use tiny glasses (or yuch, plastic) for wine. Condos are homes away from home!

for any stay of a 5 days or more i would always go for a condo. you also save money cause they'll have a kitchen so you don't have to go out for everything.
curious...what prices were you finding for hotels?

After 9/11 and the depreciation of the JPY, many hotels started farming some of their rooms out to condo buyers. There are 2 types of people that live on Oahu - the very rich and the desperately poor. The rich (business owners) own condos and will gladly rent one of 'em out to you. The poor (90% of O'ahu is reliant on assisted living or earn a "Hawaii Salary) will steal the shirt off your back.

There is the Ambassador Hotel on Kalakaua in Waikiki that goes for $70/night. Its clean and safe and in a good location (1 blk to the beach.) Tell 'em you're kamaiana ("local" - ask someone once there for a pronounciation) and it'll cost you $40/night.

Look in the Hawaii Star Bulletin for condo owners willing to rent. You also might wanna try Craigslist.com.

Aloha.

Is Ambassador the one used by Pleasant Holidays for their cheapo bargains packages to Waikiki? I too have heard it's basic but clean. It's about a ten min walk to Waikiki Beach, but you can go via Fort de Russy park. Don't miss the Army Museum at the edge of the beach there.