hpeabody

Patrick, That is good news. I held off responding to the owner of #1582 for a while because I was still stunned over losing a good priced condo unit and not being able to find as good of a replacement. As it turns out, I may have found as nice or nicer unit (#1580) but it is still costing me additional dollars

hpeabody

Patrick, I received my check today (By certified mail), But, it is for $460.38 less than I had on deposit. (I had paid almost in full, less some taxes/fees that I had missed) I can not believe my bad luck with my first try at VRBO. I don't think it is meant for me. I posted in the lounge for recommendations on what to do.

ksucat

Make sure you get to the renovated Royal Hawaiian and have a mai tai in the famous mai tai bar!
We'll be there for a couple of days during mid week September too..
Have a great time Neopatrick!

www.royal-hawaiian.com

Marianna

Melissa or others, what can you tell me about the current status, condition of the Ilikai Hotel? Would you recommend a condo at the Ilikai Marina rather than a hotel room at the Ilikai Hotel? Any suggestions for particular hotel rooms or condos at the Ilikai Marina?

Patrick and hpeabody, your condos were booked for our dates - both lovely places!

Thanks.

hpeabody

I just got back from my trip. I was at the Ilikai Marina in Unit 1580, GREAT unit! http://www.vrbo.com/77336. I was curious about the Ilikai Hotel and how it was doing after it's near demise so I walked through the grounds. If I had not known, I would not have been able to tell it had been in trouble. It was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the pool area looked nicely kept. It was very busy as well, lots of people coming and going being tourists. As far as I understand the Ilikai hotel is only condo units, not hotel rooms. (But I could be wrong about that) In fact, Kama the owner of the unit I stayed in has a unit at the Ilikai hotel also. I think it is much dependent on the individual unit. I did not see inside any of the Ilikai hotel units. If you want a full on view of the Marina, that would be the Ilikai Marina even # units, the Ilikai Hotel is built in sections that are at angles, so there are more partial views.

dusty56438

Ilikai is a decent hotel once again. It is managed by Aqua Hotels.

It had many problems when Brian Anderson & Anekona Development Group owned the property from 2006-2009.

From Wikipedia:

"In 2009, the hotel, which was facing foreclosure, was acquired by New York-based iStar Financial. They own the 203 units that make up the hotel portion of the Ilikai. Honolulu-based Aqua Hotels & Resorts is currently running the property."

Marianna

Thanks for this information about the Ilikai Marina and Ilikai Hotel. I had read that Aqua was running the hotel now. I think the Ilikai Marina condos will give us a better view and larger living space for the money so we are looking at our options there.

NeoPatrick

That corner unit hpeabody mentioned looks nice. Having that additional window to the side sure opens up the views.
I still loved "mine", but too bad it isn't available.

When I was there, I was curious what the building was adjacent to the Ilikai Marina and between it and the huge Y shaped Ilikai Hotel building. It was completely gutted this summer and they were putting in new doors and windows among other things. Is that another hotel or a a place being renovated as condos? There was a pedestrian bridge across the street from the Ilikai Marina to it.

Marianna

Yes, they both looked lovely. I think we may go with 1480 (corner unit with panoramic view) - need to decide fast! I will ask about construction going on.

hpeabody

The construction was no disruption for me at all, but then I was there the holiday week, so maybe it was not in full swing. The view from 1480 should be great

Marianna

Hpeabody, I am not exactly sure where the construction is, but did it obstruct your ocean and sunset views at all? From the pictures, I think your unit is on the same side and corner of the building as 1480. Thanks for the information.

Barbara5353

Is there a pool available when you stay in a Marina condo unit? I've considered staying there, but am under the impression that the hotel pool is off-limits. Due to a knee injury I am not able to walk far to the beach/ocean, so an on-site pool is important to me.

hpeabody

Marianna, The construction is across the street (Hoboron) towards the Ilikai hotel. They are working within an existing structure. NO obstruction to Marina view at all. ANd yes, the unit 1480 is 1 floor directly below the unit I had and the corner.

Barbara, No there is no pool I would have liked that. Ala Moana Beach Park might offer the closest beach.

Marianna

Thanks for the construction info. I think we will be happy with the accommodations. The corner condos seem to have fabulous views. Now on to 3 nights in Maui at the end of the 2 weeks! In between, we already have cottage on Kauai.

Marianna

Hpeabody, do you think we will be able to see the HHV fireworks from the corner unit condo?

hpeabody

I could see the fireworks from the Hilton perfectly. The #80 unit is on the corner closest to the Hilton. FYI, the Lanai is smaller than you would like it to be. This is my video. I hope it opens for you. I take it you got #1480

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xX3kEPadqE

Marianna

Yes, we did! I know the lanai looked small.

We are very excited about the trip - it's been a long time since we have been to Hawaii. I will check the video now. Thanks so much.

Marianna

Amazing! Beautiful! What a view you had! Thanks again.

NeoPatrick

About those fireworks. I planned my evening around them to be in the apartment where I knew I'd have a great view. But they couldn't have lasted 5 minutes. I thought they were about the lamest fireworks I've ever seen. A sign of the failing economy maybe?

Marianna

Thanks for that information, Patrick. We will plan to make them a part of our evening but not necessarily the focal point.