NEED HAWAII HOTEL ADVICE
 

I am planning to visit Hawaii (HNL area and Big Island).

I love the look of the top hotels in Waikiki and beachfront on the Big Island. HOWEVER, I am not able to afford them. Anyone know of hotels in alternative places to stay that are very clean, preferably new, chain type places that might be similar to a Hampton Inn / Fairfield Inn / Comfort Inn / Holiday Inn Express or similar type hotel?

I will have a vehicle. I want to be within driving distance to beaches, shopping and attractions. A nice, safe neighborhood is important. My apologies in advance, if this is not a problem on the islands I want to visit.

I am looking for a reccomendation from someone who has been to (or lives in) Hawaii recently.

I admit to being picky and realise what I want might not exist.

However, I think it is okay to ask and try to find what I want before I admit defeat and compromise (or stay fewer days, etc.). I don't have an exact price in mind. Something in the $100. - $175. a night range is what I have in mind.

Is this impossible?

Thanks for any advice.

In Waikiki, try the Ocean Resort Hotel, 175 Paoakalani Avenue, 800-367-2317. It is a couple of blocks from the beach, and if you want an ocean view you need to ask for one of the upper floors.

The rooms have kitchenettes which will help save on at least breakfast and perhaps lunch if you like sandwiches.

The hotel is located near the Kapiolani Park end of the beach, and everything is within walking distance. They also have a swimming pool.

Almost all of the hotels in Waikiki are high rise hotels. 95% of the hotels on Oahu are in Waikiki.

Oahu is fairly small. You can drive around the island easily.

You also have to consider parking at any hotel. It ranges from $0 - $25 a day.

Resortquest Waikiki Banyan is a decent condo. Parking $8 a day.

You can also find private lodging on www.vrbo.com

Lots of info:

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

On the big island, you're not going to find anything in that price range at the big hotels in Waikoloa or Hapuna Beach area. Try looking for a condo in the Waikoloa area, but I'm not familiar with their pricing. A few lower cost hotel suggestions would be the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kona at around $119 a night for partial view or $175 for oceanfront. Nice beaches are within driving distance and you could walk to some good restaurants. Another is the Uncle Billy's Kona Bay hotel-around $119 a night but it's a basic no frills hotel. Some people don't like to stay in Kailua-Kona but for your price range you'll be near the ocean, shopping and water activities.
www.konabeachhotel.com
www.unclebilly.com

On the BI, try the Keauhou Beach Resort just south of Kona.

Some friends stayed at the Princess Kaiulani in Waikiki and liked it. Not fancy, but a decent, large hotel in a great location. They paid around $130 a night.

Try looking on vrbo.com - I found a studio condo in Waikiki that I absolutely LOVE! I'm not sure what the rates are right now, but when I stayed there last summer for two weeks, the total was $1357.00 - for 14 nights, 14 days of parking ($10 per day), cleaning fee and taxes. You can't beat that! The condo is on the 43rd floor and had the most amazing views - the entire Diamond Head crater, all the way to Hanamaua Bay, Waikiki all the way to the W Hotel, the Ala Wai Canal and Golf Course and the Ko'Olau Mountains. It is a studio with a king bed, a loveseat (that opens to a double bed), a kitchenette, full bath (with tub), plasma tv & DVD player, computer hookup, phone, and my favorite - a 110 sq ft lanai with table & chairs - we ate nearly every meal out there and spent hours just sitting there, looking out at paradise.

The condo is located in the (Aqua) Island Colony on the corner of Seaside & Ala Wai, one block from Kuhio, two blocks from Kalakaua (the main street) and the beach. There are restaurants and shopping all over the place over there. the neighborhood was just fine - and I'm a single female traveling alone. It is #108633 on vrbo. Check it out - it may be just what you're looking for - the pictures on vrbo (of the condo) are very accurate - it's very nice, clean, etc. The pictures on vrbo of the view just aren't as good as what it's like to be there and see for yourself!

Happy planning!

The Princess maybe a good one it is a Sheraton hotel and there is a Doubletree Alana and the Waikiki Prince Kuhio that are Hilton properties but are at the high end of your budget.
Aqua, Ohana and Resortquest are all chains operating around parts of the world and the Ocean Resort and Waikiki Banyan are just two of them.

I'll second the advice of a previous poster who suggested a condo in the Waikoloa area. Also agree with checking VRBO. You should be able to find a condo at the higher end of your price range -- try Vista Waikoloa. From the VW you can walk to the Hilton and the Marriott and it's a 5-10 minute drive to the Fairmont Orchid (parking fee unless you eat there and they validate) and the Mauna Lani Bay.

lots of condos in Waikoloa for reasonable prices; VRBO has quite a few listings for FAirways Villas, WAikola, a very nice place.

We heard about the Aqua Palms in Waikiki... Going to try it out next week. It's "across the street" from the HHV-so we're looking forward to it.

I understand it's not a new hotel; but it is supposed to be modern, clean and close to everything. For $70/night + parking ($15), we have reasonable expectations and are not looking for anything fancy. I'll post a trip report when we get back to let you know if it's worth it... (although other reviews say it's a good buy-we'll see)... :)

agree with iamq about the Keahou Beach Hotel. I thought it was out of your budget range but in checking the web-site they have some good deals. Though I prefer the King Kam as it's closer to the restaurants, the KBH is a nicer hotel and right next to a great snorkeling beach.

Wow, thanks for all the advice everyone.

I have not been able to get online for a few days.

I have never tried vrbo. How does it work? Is there any help if the place is not as expected (problems with cleaning not done, etc) on check-in? Are these properties the owner rents all the time and has a service to do the reservations, cleaning etc? Or are they ones the owner does all the leg work on themselves?

I like the anonimity and safety of my personal info from known hotel chains. Is this a possible problem at vrbo?

What happens if there is a problem? At a hotel, it's easy to ask for another room. What happens if I get there late evening and the condo is not ready, not nice or things don't work? I'm looking for low a stress experience. Does vrbo work for that?

I am going to look at all the ideas here.

Thanks again.

You brought up all of the questions about VRBO.

You are really at the mercy of the individual owners.

The biggest advantages are the price & location.

You have to read each listing carefully to see what is included & what the deposit and payment method is & the cleaning fees. They are all different & up to the owner.

For location, on Oahu for example, you can get anywhere on the island you choose rather than a hotel or condo in Waikiki or the few other hotels around the island.

If you don't think you want to take a chance with a VRBO unit, then stick with the conventional hotel or condo.

We're heading to the BI and HNL in two weeks. We're on the BI for a week and rented a condo at the Kona Reef condo community through Abbey Rentals http://konarentals.net/ We're in an oceanfront condo for 144/night. It's not brand new, but it's location is amazing. I'm not sure when you're planning your trip for, but I'll be posting my review when we get back. In Honolulu we're staying at the Waikiki Circle. It's not new, and it's small, but we love the location and have read good reviews.

Good luck in your decisions!

I absolutely agree with the recommendation for the Ocean Resort. They have never let us down. The Pali tower is a lot better and when you make reservations ask if you can join the Ohana club. The restaurant is not bad either and while the hotel is not on the beach it is a very short walk and still right in the thick of things! Aloha!

Chocolate_Water_Ice: I have used VRBO for four trips to the islands and have never had a problem. The owners were all great to deal with, lived on site or nearby, and were quick to correct any problems. We just spent eight nights earlier this month at a terrific place in Haleiwa on the north shore. Quiet, secluded, and just five minutes from Haleiwa and the beaches. VRBO has a wide range of locations, units, and prices. It's well worth checking out.

Sorry I haven't been back in a while - as far as vrbo goes - I didn't have a problem but have heard of others who have. The best advice I can give you when checking these is to make sure that the owner - or their authorized agent- is actually on the island you want to rent on. Obviously they'll be a lot easier to contact IF a problem arises if they're not up on the mainland somewhere. Also - if you do decide to rent one, make sure you discuss this very topic with them BEFORE you give the deposit and sign up for a specific reservation. Make sure they provide you with whatever will reassure you.

There are SO many properties available in lots of price ranges I'm sure you'll find something to accomodate you. Good luck!