Too many options on Waikiki !
 

So, we are definitely going to Hawaii ( 1st timers) and spending a few days on Waikiki!!! Now comes the question of where to stay since choice of hotel can be a big factor in whether we have a great trip or not. We've got it narrowed down to three...The Outrigger Reef on the Beach, The Aqua Palms, or the Marriott Resort & Spa. Has anyone stayed at either of these? What can you tell me about your experience there? Location (hard to tell what it's really like just looking at a map), noisy or quiet? Any experiences, opinions, advice, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Can't say anything about Aqua Palms. The "one block" from the beach would be a "no thanks" for me. I prefer places either on the beach or across the street from the beach. I, personally, have stayed at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani on my last two trips to Waikiki, and I'm booked there again in September. I like "high ocean view" rooms, especially when they overlook Diamondhead. The beach is across the street from the Sheraton PK.

I've seen the pool and a room at the Marriott and would give it a thumbs up. This location, IMO, is better than the Outrigger Reef on the Beach (where I HAVE stayed). It is just down far enough from the shopping part of Kalakaua to make it a bit quieter. You do have to cross the street to access the beach. But this is not a problem at all.

Outrigger has recently been through a thorough renovation, so I cannot comment on the "new" look, as I stayed there about 10 years ago. The beach is not very wide here, and there is a lot of foot traffic walking along the hotel's section of beach. This hotel is close to SOME shopping, but farther from the better shopping (IMO) on Kalakaua. If the beach is what you want, the Outrigger is ON the beach. There is no street to cross to get there.

You did not mention the Hilton Hawaiian Village, another one I've stayed at... in the Ali'i Tower, a couple of times. Nice hotel. Nice pools. Wider section of beach. But just a bit further to walk to get to Kalakaua Avenue shopping area. This is a quiet location. You don't have to leave the resort if you don't want to. You have everything at hand.. restaurants, small shops, nice beach, many pools, etc...

In any case, enjoy your time on Oahu. I always enjoy my visits!

Carol

I have stayed at the Marriott several times and been pretty happy with it. Most Waikiki hotels do not have large resort like pools(with the exception of Hilton Hawaiian Village.)and this is true of the Marriott. There are two pools and we never have problems getting chairs etc. The hotel is directly across the street from the beach with no buildings in front of it. The beach right in front has a sheltered swimming area with no waves which is good if you have small kids.

We always stay in the front tower and pay for an ocean front or ocean view room. We also try to get a room on a higher floor. The views are gorgeous from those rooms. DH is a rewards member and we usually ask for an upgrade and almost always get one...especially now with the economy being bad.

Waikiki is kind of noisy in general but we have never had a problem with noise from other guest rooms.

I have never stayed in the other two hotels.

I love Oahu, make sure you venture out of the Waikiki area and see the rest of the island. I know you will enjoy your trip!

I only know the Outrigger Reef from those on your list (I have not stayed there because it's out of my price range, but have eaten at their restaurants, had a facial at the Serenity spa, and gone shopping in the nice lobby stores). IMO it's a great hotel in a great location, near Fort de Russey Park.

I also stayed at the Outrigger Reef pre-renovation and liked it a lot. Right on the beach, great restaurants, decent pool area.

It's not in the "heart" of Waikiki (where the other Outrigger hotel is), it's further down near Fort DeRussy and the Hilton Hawaiian village, but it's not a long walk to get to the center of things. I don't know anything about the Marriott but I wouldn't stay somewhere that was a block from the beach if you can afford to stay at the Outrigger Reef.

Just to clarify -- the Marriott is not a block from the beach. It's "on" the beach, but there is a street between the front of the hotel and the beach. So yes, you have to cross the street to get to the beach. But there are no buildings in between the hotel and the beach.

It was the Aqua Rocks that was described above as being "one block" from the beach, not the Marriott. If it's true that it's one block from the beach, I'd rather stay on the beach.

Sorry Cheryl, but in the same sentence you referred to the Marriott and the hotel being a block from the beach, hence my confusion.

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village last summer, which is just next door to the Outrigger Reef. Of course I can't comment on the rooms at the Outrigger, but the beach in front of it is a thin slice of sand, some of which tends to disappear during high tide. Plus, there is a lot of foot traffic at the end of the beach, so it can feel really zooey.

From what we saw last summer, the widest section of beach is in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The property has a lot to offer, but it caters to HUGE tour groups particularly in the summer months, and can feel overwhelming in its size and crowd level. We stayed at the Ali'i Tower, which protects you from some of that since it has its own check-in and private pool, and is a little quieter than the other towers. Even so, we sometimes couldn't find seats at the pool and had longish waits for the elevators.

We are returning this summer for a few days after a business trip, and thinking we will stay at the other end of the beach ( maybe the Marriott), which we hope will be calmer and still within walking distance to most shops/restaurants.

Aqua Palms is more like 1 1/2 - 2 blocks from the beach. Still, not too far from the beach. It is also fairly close to Ala Moana Beach & Ala Moana Center.

Pick a hotel or condo within your budget. Any $$ you save on hotel costs can be used for other things on the island.

Consider parking rates along with hotel/condo rates:

http://travel-hawaii.com/waikiki_hotel_parking.html

If you stay at Marriott or any other hotel on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, you can park at Aston Waikiki Banyan for $10/day.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

Maps of Waikiki hotels:

http://www.spotlighthawaii.com/Spotl...aikiki-web.pdf

http://www.discounthotelshawaii.com/waikikimap.html

http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/oahu_waikiki.html

Forgot to mention, Outrigger Reef has just completed a renovation. They have some really good deals right now. Of your three choices it is the only one on the beach.

Some aerial views of Waikiki hotels:

http://www.wizardpub.com/oahu/oahaerials.html

Note that Outrigger Reef has some rooms right on the beach with great views, but they also have rooms that are right next to Halekulani Hotel on one side & Waikiki Shore on the other side. So be careful about the view you want.

Thanks for all the responses , helpful info and GREAT links!
Very much appreciated!!

no to the aqua palms. Not a good location. Marriott and Reef are both good places, I would lean towards the reef becasue they just completed a massive remodel