sf7307

But then I've never stayed at Koa Kea -- I imagine I would like it quite a lot! (and as I've said, I love Kiahuna and liked the Marriott Waiohai very much, but both have kitchens and I wouldn't want to frighten you like that )

tileaftilly

Back to Oahu for a moment. We stayed at the Ali'i Tower at the HHV and really liked it. It is like a hotel within a hotel. Private card key access. Private facilities and its own private pool and bar. Our room had a front on view of the ocean. No doubt that it is a very busy place, but I liked the location of this hotel.

suze

From those 3 the HHV is the only one I see recommended on the Trip Advisor forums. This may or may not mean anything, but I never hear those other 2 even mentioned.

Bowsprit

We're staying at the Waikiki Beach Marriott. I'll report back and let you know our thoughts. I opted out of staying at HHV for many reasons: size of the resort and crowds and there's pool construction going on right now, among them. I want a quieter atmosphere.

Truth is, we won't be in the room much so I guess it matters little which hotel we choose! Friends have just returned from the Marriott Beach Resort and enjoyed their stay. One of the towers has been recently renovated and that's where we'll stay.

Have you stayed at any of these hotels, suze? Your thoughts on where you've stayed would be appreciated!

Bowsprit

suze: there are 1361 reviews for this Marriott property on Waikiki Beach; nearly all are positive. It's a good mid-range choice. And for us, it's comped, so I was happy to read the positive reviews of the majority of those visiting this hotel! I think it'll be fine.

Bowsprit

Should have written there are 1361 reviews on Trip Advisor for the Waikiki Beach Marriott.

Tomsd

Didn't read all these posts - but from the Hilton Village - you can walk along the beach toward Diamond Head - and along the beach in front of Ft. DeRussey - it's not as crowded usually as other places on Waikiki.

You say non-negotiable - and if that's the case fine - but my suggestion would be to check out some of the smaller places on the other side of the park - by the New Otani.

Much quieter and less hectic - and some of the buildings are condos for rent, etc. Just google away if you decide to expand your search.

http://www.agoda.com/north_america/u...ach_hotel.html

Tomsd

LOL. Just saw the comment above - Hey - if it's comped - super - and you can get the the less crowded areas one way or another with all of the moolah you have saved.

suze

My hotels would be too low budget for you. But to answer your question I have stayed at The Hawaiiana Hotel (unfortunately now closed) twice, Pat Winston's condos at The Hawaiian King hotel, and most recently Waikiki Sand Villa. The Breakers and The Royal Grove are two I plan to try on future trips.

I don't read reviews on Trip Advisor, my comments were about discussions in the forums section (like here at Fodor's).

Bowsprit

suze:What's your favorite place to eat on Oahu? We enjoy Japanese food; do you have a recommendation for a good restaurant that serves great Japanese food?

Tomsd: We're looking forward to this trip very much.

Tomsd

Dang - lost my post getting this list of Japanese restaurants in/around Honolulu, which hopefully gives some good info. http://business.intuit.com/boorah-re.../Japanese.html

It's been a few years since I/we had some of the locals take us around - who are 3rd generation Japanese-Hawaiians - and have not dined at the Sansei in Hono but did at the one in Maui and loved it.

Also used to love the Willows - but I think that is gone now?

And for take-out Sushi - loved an older place over in Hono - and will have to look up the name. Think it's still pretty good.

As for Princeville - we love it. You can walk around and it's not that crowded - certainly less so than places at Poipu.

And the views from up on the Cliffs are just amazing.

Bowsprit

No Kauai for us this trip, Tom! Next time, maybe.

Tomsd

And going waay back - but this should still have the best view overlookiing Hono - is the Natsunoya Tea House - where the ladies/hostesses were in full Kimonos. http://natsunoya.leads.com/ We had dinner there with half of the Hawaii Supreme Court - who had gone to UC Hastings, and Wally Fujiyama was having fun telling a prominent SF lawyer that up there is where the Japanese spies watched the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Wally (may he RIP), in addition to being a very prominent mover and shaker in Hono - was a great story teller and we could not tell if he was pulling our leg or telling DA Truf.

suze

My favorite places to eat in Waikiki are: ME Korean BBQ, Rainbow drive-in, Food Pantry grocery store to-go, Blue Water Shrimp truck on Kuhio, Arancino's for italian on BeachWalk, and the food courts at IMP or Ala Moana mall.

Nope I don't have any recommendations for Japanese food (not a fan) but there's no shortage of options. Tourists from Japan appear to make up about 50% of the tourist population, so there are plenty of options.

You really should check the Oahu forum over at Trip Advisor if you haven't yet. There's answers to all your questions there already.

suze

Tomsd, No, The Willows is open. I believe maybe it was closed for a period of time, but it's there now:
http://willowshawaii.com/

Tomsd

Suze - thanks for the update. It was the first place I dined in Hono back in '77 - with a Navy Commander who had been stationed in Japan and he first very carefully looked over the presentation on our plates when our orders arrived - and deemed that they had been properly arranged.

The setting also can't be beat - out in an "island" in the water/pond - if they kept that configuration after the '99 reopening.