My parents are going to be in Honolulu 9/29-10/1 after they leave their cruise ship. They've stayed in Waikiki several times before but this time would like to try staying in or closer to the city itself. All of the search engines are taking me to Waikiki properties and I haven't been able to find much in the city itself. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Thats because Waikiki IS in Honolulu. If you are talking about downtown Honolulu there are a couple of hotels but I won't recommend them because they are nothing good imho. Its less than two miles from Waikiki to downtown, what the diff. If they want out of Honolulu stay at Ko Olina

Aloha!

I vote for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel...more money then most places, but truly a beautiful hotel.

Almost all of Oahu's hotels are in Waikiki.

There are very few exceptions that are in Honolulu:

There are three airport hotels: Best Western The Plaza Hotel, Honolulu Airport Hotel, Pacific Marina Inn

Also these three:

Ala Moana Hotel which is right across the bridge from Waikiki

Pagoda Hotel which is a couple blocks from Ala Moana Hotel

Resortquest Executive Centre Hotel which is only a few blocks from Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu

I recommend staying in Waikiki again.

If they want to stay just outside of Waikiki, The Prince Hotel is a good choice. Or the Kahala Resort, which would take them OUT of Waikiki.

When they disembark, they can shop and dine at Aloha Tower Marketplace with discount coupons:
www.alohatower.com/promotions.html

Most hotels are IN Waikiki, which is IN Honolulu. Is here some specific reason they don't want to stay there?

Thanks very much, Everyone! I think they're now leaning back toward Waikiki or just outside of it. We were aware that Waikiki area is in Honolulu but my Dad was thinking that since they're not really into beaches and they've stayed in Waikiki by the beach several times before, there might be something different to see in the downtown area. We've also just realized that even if they did stay more toward the business district, their main day there will be on Sunday and not much will be open. Back to Waikiki I explained that finding a place isn't going to be the problem; choosing one is. So many of the hotels all sound the same, even when researched here and on tripadvisor!

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. My Mom's health isn't the greatest so walking long distances is out. I think they'll end up just wandering around Waikiki again. Room budget would be up to $200/night although less wouldn't be turned down!

We just booked them a room into the Aqua Waikiki Wave. Wouldn't you just know that they ended up exactly they were trying not to! Sounds like a great place though.

Any recommendatons for best way for two seniors to get from the cruise ship terminal to the hotel and then from the hotel to the airport a few days later? Are taxis the easiest or is there a limo service one of you can recommend? My budget-minded mother wants to lug her suitcase onto a bus but if I can book something ahead of time she won't be able to argue!

they don't allow you to take luggage on the bus. a taxi will cost about $25. there are some shuttle vans that cost a bit less money, but they make several stops and won't necessarily drop you off right in front of your hotel.

I don't like high rise hotels, so my recommendations are smaller places.

I like both The Hawaiiana Hotel and The Breakers on Beach Walk.

I stayed next door to the Celebrity Resort on Nohonani St. (off Kuhio, back towards the canal) this last trip and it looked very nice and is a good price.

All three hotels have websites.

Or I they want to try a slightly a different neighborhood they could pick a hotel around the Ala Moana Mall area.

Oops, sorry I see you already picked a hotel, just a few posts above.

I always use a taxi to get around. The shuttles are too much hassle, and with two people together don't even save you much money. You can't take luggage on a regular (The) Bus.