Hi everyone,
My fiance and I will be in Oahu in August for the first part of our honeymoon (4-5 nights, then going on to maybe 1 night on the BI to see the volcano, followed by 7 nights in Maui), and are looking for a nice place to stay that is centrally located. We need something that is under or around $200 a night. Has anyone stayed at the Waikiki Marriott Beach Resort since the $60 million renovation? We are hoping for a nice, clean room with a balcony, and are hoping to be within walking distance to plenty of restaurants, shops, activities. How is this hotel overall? We like a nice pool, too. How is the beach here? Is there parking nearby? We are looking at the Paradise Plus package that offers a city view room with either breakfast or a rental car for a bit under $200/night. Let me know if you've had any first hand experiences...Thanks

The Marriott at Waikiki is across the street from the beach (all the pictures make it look like it's on the beach, but it's not). It's near the statue of Duke (the famous surfer). The hotel looks pretty nice (I've only seen the exterior and the lobby) and if you want to be down in the middle of Waikiki - you've got the right location. Personally, I don't find Waikiki a "romantic" location compared to other options - it's kinda like being down at Time Square in New York - if you're looking for crowds, you'll like it. I find the North Shore more scenic and beautiful (we stayed at the Marriott Ilhiani - more peaceful and quiet - no fighting for a place on the beach. Hopefully, wherever you stay in Maui will give you a quieter more romantic scenery.

I stay there frequently -- the renovated rooms are truly lovely. You'll be across the street from one of the best sections of Waikiki Beach, within walking distance of many restaurants, shopping, and the amenities of other hotels.

Thanks! Anyone else?

I have stayed there twice (because I have Marriott points racked up and got free rooms) Both times it was the night we arrived from mainland and another night then on to Maui for a week. I think 4-5 nites is too long if you are only doing 1 nite on BI. Do 2 max to begin your unwind then spend 2-3 or more on BI. And when on Oahu have a car at least one day and drive around to the other side and north island. Waikiki IS on the edge of a large crowded city and lots of people will be there. You willl be amazed at the diff when you get to the other islands. 2 nites is more than enough to get decompressed before the REAL paradise. But dont let anyone sell short the rest of Oahu --drive around AWAY from Honolulu
Most of above comments are accurate. Tho I think its more on the "end" of the busy stretch of Waikiki -- ie if you walk out and turn left you run out of "action" real fast with parks and Diamond Head looming, but if you turn right you hit the crowds and shops and all the other original hotels are a few blocks down. Rooms are real nice and I think all have a balcony you can sit out on. Pool unimpressive - I really think Marriot was stretching it calling this a "Resort". If you have stayed at a true resort with great pools and grounds this aint it. But you're not going to find resorts like Maui and other islands on Waikiki. I think the pool (maybe 2) is a rectangle plopped down in some concrete where they could fit. My kids avoided it and spent all their time at the beach there which IS across the street.

City view room means you'll be on the backside of the hotel looking at mountains intead of ocean. Hit Cheesburger in Paradise for lunch or dinner about a block to the right on Waikiki.

I have stayed at the Marriott at least a dozen times since it has been renovated. Even a "city view" is nice because the nighttime lights are sparkling.

The pool, as mentioned, is nothing special. Waikiki does not have any spectacular pools really. Except for the Hilton Hawaiian Village and that pool isnt up to Maui standards!

I would book a room at the Marriott that you can afford and then a few weeks before your wedding write a nice letter to the manager telling him you will be on your honeymoon and hope for an upgrade. The "deluxe corner rooms" that end in "33" are the best as they are super-sized with a wall of extra windows and a fantastic view. The higher the floor the better.

We have been upgraded to a deluxe room several times on special occasions when we made the requests in advance.

(I do not recommend manufacturing fake occasions to get upgrades, it is bad karma IMO, LOL.)

Most romantic hotels in Waikiki are the
Royal Hawaiian, Halekulani, Moana but these are gonna cost way more that 200 a night.