dludwig117

Hope that got your attention. Now let me give you some details:

My significant other and I will be going to Hawaii right smack dab during the holidays. We'll be staying in Kuaui in a house for a week or so. We're thinking of finishing the trip in Waikiki since he's never been there. We'll probably go there for a couple of days.

Here's the rub: We want to stay on Oahu/Waikiki so that we can see some of the standard sites. However, we don't want to be
1) suckered into a huge towering hotel that was once good but now it's trodden and crappy and expensive and everyone puts up with it because it's just always been there and is considered the best one can do.
2) don't want crazy families and kids running around.

So what we're looking for might be unique or might not exist, but here's what we like:
1) small hotel, personal, impeccably clean.
2) quiet, meaning quiet in between rooms. Noise from street is ok.
3) location isn't a concern meaning we don't have to be on the beach or in the thick of the city
4) money isn't a big deal. We are ok with spending 200-300 a night. And it doesn't have to be a hotel. If you know of a good condo, we're game.
5) a nice pool.

Does it exist?

Patrick

I get your description, but it's the title I'm having a problem with. OK, I understand what you mean by "non-hokey" particularly in Hawaii. But what on earth does "non-touristy" mean? You want a hotel that isn't for tourists? What does that leave -- hotels catering to the locals? Renting by the hour? What kind of hotel isn't touristy?

thornphoenix

Halekulani - superb and great pool too! You get what you pay for (read: it's expensive, but in our opinion worth it). http://www.halekulani.com

Have fun!
Tracey

ms_go

Also take a look at the Halekulani's sister hotel across the street, the Waikiki Parc. We stayed there in March, which is a very busy spring break period. I found it to be a nice, quiet oasis in the middle of all the Waikiki madness. It is a high rise, but not a huge hotel; maybe 15-16 rooms per floor. The rooms are smaller than most we encountered in Hawaii, but nicely appointed. The pool is up around the 12th floor or so. It is not big, but was decent and quiet (I don't think a lot of the Waikiki hotels have great pools). We walked through the lobbies and public areas of a lot of the hotels in that area, and this one seemed very quiet and laid back. You will probably run into families anywhere over the holidays, but overall, to me, this one felt more like a business hotel than a family hotel. It gets very good reviews on Trip Advisor.

We found it to be perfect for a couple of days.

BeachBoi

The Waikiki Parc is right across the street from the Halekulani and much less expensive.....The hote rate actually includes breakfast!! I think we paid $125 for a nice room on the 13th floor.Pool is on the 8th floor.Relatively quiet although the hotel appeared to be close to full capacity.Sister hotel to Halekulani.

auntiemaria

Yep -- given all the parameters you've listed, you'd love the Halekulani Hotel as long as their rates meet your budget.

dludwig117

Thanks all, I'll check these out. Any other recommendations on Oahu, that are not in Waikiki? Any general area would interest us.

To Patrick: Non-touristy means it doesn't have all the tourist trap crap like a dolphin pool, a "rec desk" with a bunch of crappy activities you can buy, cheesy gift shops with spoons, or franchise restaurants in the lobby like say, oh, Outback Steakhouse or Benihana. You get me?

vivi

I agree with the above suggestions: The Halekulani fills the bill.

bonniebroad

I would direct you to the New Otani Kaimana except that it has no pool, but then you don't need one with Sans Souci Beach right at your doorstep!

bluefan

Halekulani

But NOT in Waikiki - definitely the Mandarin Oriental

E

dludwig, wow, for a tourist, you sure are disdainful of your fellow man. I know it's rude to comment on your attitude--you're entitled to it, after all--but really, yours is so extreme, I can't help myself. In a luxury hotel, you are just as inauthentic a traveler as those noisy families at the Holiday Inn. Suit yourself, but try to express your preferences a bit more respectfully, would you?

iamq

IMHO it sounds like you are not going to (or don't already) like Waikiki. I'd stay away from it, not because there is anything wrong with IT, but because with your attitude you are never going to be happy there. Stay a few extra days in Kauai.
-Bill

chepar

From your requirements, the Halekulani most closely fits the bill.

However, I think you will have to up your nightly room allowance if you want to stay at the Halekulani. Unless you get a really good deal, $200 - $300 a night won't cut it.

As far as your response to Patrick -
sorry, all hotels - even the luxury ones - have things such as "tourist trap crap like a dolphin pool, a "rec desk" with a bunch of crappy activities you can buy, cheesy gift shops with spoons, or franchise restaurants in the lobby like say, oh, Outback Steakhouse or Benihana" to some degree or another.

They all have gift shops. The Kahala Mandarin has a dolphin pool. They all have a desk from which to arrange activities. Some are more tasteful than others, to be sure - but they all have them. They are hotels for tourists, after all.

If you're concerned about getting away from the "cheesy" and "tourist trap crap" - and money really isn't a big deal - you could rent a beach house.

dludwig117

To E: Why should I be careful about explaining my preferences? If I'm clear and direct, then I'll get the information I need. I know what I like. If you don't like it, move on.

BeachBoi

Mai Tai anyone?

scigirl

You might consider the W hotel - it is quite small, on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. It does not have a pool, but is located close to the beach. Not a 'kid' atmosphere at all. Has a great restaurant on site (NOT Outback, lol). I think the rooms fall in your price range. The higher rooms are better (less street noise, although it isn't too bad in the area). Ocean front (only a few of the rooms) is very nice. All rooms have Diamond Head views.

TopMan

I am wondering how you've come to be such an expert in all those things you describe? You don't need a hotel...you need an attitude adjustment.

E

dludwig, I didn't say you should be "careful", I said you should be "respectful". If you don't understand why you should be respectful, your attitude is just the beginning of your problems.

dludwig117

Thanks scigirl, I appreciate the information. I'll look into the W.

Eva

Good idea Beachboi---and make them STRONG!