Oahu Help!
 

Hi, we're planning to travel to Oahu for the first time in August. Can anyone suggest a good mid-range hotel? We'd probably like to stay on the beach and in the center of the action, so to speak.

Also, I was told that I wouldn't need to rent a car and that parking is a hassle. Is that so? We'll be there 3-5 nights. Is there enough to do within walking distance to keep us occupied?

If you're eligible, the Hale Koa is the absolute best in Waikiki. If you are not eligible for the Hale Koa, the Ohana Waikiki Towers on Lewers Street is a great choice. It should cost you less than $100.00 per night, and the location is absolutely fantastic for a beach goer or one who likes to be in the center of tha action at Waikiki.

Not sure how much you want to spend. For middle of the action, I would maybe recommend the Marriott. I think they have rates as low as $150 a night. I haven't stayed there but was considering it for my recent trip. However, there was a post about it recently and there were positive remarks about it.

You also may want to try Priceline is if you are not picky about which hotel or the type of view. You can check out www.biddingfortravel.com for a list of hotels that come up on Priceline.

You can get by fine without a car in Waikiki and travel to/from Honolulu easily on the bus. But I would strongly recommend you reserve a car for at least one day, so you can see the rest of the island, which is very different from the busy nature of Honolulu and Waikiki.

I wouldn't recommend the Ohana Waikiki Tower. We were there 2 nights in May and found it to be very noisy, and the furniture was crowded into the room. It is a couple of blocks from the beach.

Steve is right, you can easily walk everywhere in Waikiki--and parking there can be a hassle. The Bus is easy to use for destinations in Honolulu, but you do need a car to see the rest of the island, which has gorgeous beaches and many other sights.

Great, thanks! Are you familiar with the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, the Outrigger Reef or the Sheraton Moana?

Hi Miss R. I have not stayed at any of these, but have been to the lobbies and eaten at restaurants there. If you can afford to stay at the Moana, I'd say go for it! You will be beach front, on what i think is the best section of beach in Waikiki. It is a lovely historic hotel. the Banyan Verandah is just a gorgeous spot for a sunset drink. I like to just walk thru the lobby, and there is a "historic room" that is interesting. There are rocking chairs on the front porch where you can relax and people-watch. Part of the Moana is a new section which wouldn't seem to have the historic ambiance of the original section. And of course you don't have to stay there to enjoy the lobby, verandah, and rocking chairs!

The Outrigger Waikiki is just next door, so same section of beach.

The Outrigger Reef is close to Ft. de Russy park, which is a nice open, green area.

To Aloha-
The Ohana Waikiki Tower is not a couple of blocks from the beach. The Outrigger Reef is right on the beach.The Ohana Waikiki Tower is ACROSS THE STREET from the Outrigger Reef. The distance from the Waikiki Tower to the beach is about 500 feet.Surely you must be mistaken.