ksucat - I believe Andrew8 likes the Post Ranch Inn. :)

Yes, it is Andrew8 and his wife SteelyGirl that enjoys the Post Ranch Inn.

charness, I think your post is great in that it explains the realities of Waikiki. If someone is looking for peaceful beach experience, no I would never suggest Waikiki for them.

But you're right I *do* like NYC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles very much. I also like other "honkey tonk" or "too touristy" places like Key West, Provincetown, Puerto Vallarta, Lahaina.

Again I only try to gently make the point, it's not about what is "real" because if you are seeing it in front of your eyes, it is REAL. Rather matching up peoples desires and expectations to what they will find. That is very valuable. So I say thanks for your post!

<<<Can't believe the first time I landed in Papeete, Tahiti and here is this island out in the middle of nowhere and it was just like Hong Kong.>>>

Us, too. We were going on a cruise and the first night stayed in a hotel that was next door to what seemed like an all-night disco. OMG!

I like the Post Ranch Inn too!

I'd stay in Waikiki again if I could stay at either the Halikulani or the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel.

Thanks everyone of the clarification on the right andrew8..and of course iamq..you had your honeymoom at PRI..both you and your husband have exquisite taste on hotels around the world!
was steelygirl named after steely dan? hope so.

sf..LOL..disco music was everywhere and all the lights and talk about the culture shock...just not thinking it would ever be like that!
good food trucks at the beach..best farmers market evah..
:)

Anyone stay at the renovated Royal Hawaiian hotel in Waikiki?

After reading warnings about the crowds and traffic etc of Honolulu/Waikiki, I was dreading our week stay there in June - especially as I'm generally not keen on large cities and hate Las Vegas. I imagined Las Vegas with a beach! But I loved Waikiki! We stayed on the Ewa side (condo next to the HHV), where it was very quiet - hardly a soul on the beach that side - and what a beach! I thought the highrises actually enhanced the charm, for some reason. We spent a lot of our time experiencing the rest of Oahu, which was beautiful and charming - but were always happy to return to Honolulu.

Of the 4 major Hawaiian islands, Oahu is the one on which we have spent the least time. In May 2010, we have tickets to Hawaii, and we think we're going to spend the entire 8 nights on Oahu.

We're thinking about staying at Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club. It is not on Waikiki Beach. We've stayed at the JW Marriott next door to the Beach Club a few years ago. It was nice, but a little isolated. My daughter and her new husband just spend their honeymoon at the JW and loved it. They said it was about a 45-minute drive to the North Shore. I imagine that while we're at the Beach Club we'll drive to the North SHore for several day-trips.

We had initially thought we'd spend the first 3 nights in Waikiki but now we're thinking we'd rather be further away. We're also still looking for places to stay on the North Shore but haven't found anything yet. Part of what I love about Hawaii is sitting on the balcony, looking at the beach or the mountains, so that is one reason why I don't think we'd be as happy staying right in Waikiki.

We love all the islands of Hawaii, but we don't know as much about Oahu as the others, and I'm looking forward to exploring the whole island. We think we can explore Waikiki while staying somewhere else.

Waikiki is NOT Vegas on the beach, not by a long shot. In fact, the beach area itself is, to me anyway, quite lovely. I think the OP's point is fair--don't stay several blocks off the beach--if limited.

We stayed at the Hale Koa ages ago--it's next door to the Hilton Hawaiian Village--and loved it.

Samsaf - did you look at Turtle Bay?

MomDD...You mentioned Turtle Bay..remember the guy that claimed staff took his $$ camera equipment?
:))

Oh lordie... Ksucat... LOL!!

I have to say I am always somewhat puzzled by these sorts of threads . . . .not specifically this one, but in the past there have been similar ones complaining about Waikiki. Don't people know what to expect before they get there? Anyone who did even an ounce of research ahead of time would know that the Waikiki area is not a quiet, deserted area. If a sleepy, quiet tropical paradise is what one is looking for then why choose Waikiki at all (I know in this case there was a conference, so likley not much choice) and then complain about it?
I happen to like Waikiki and it really does not matter to me what others do and don't like, but I still find it odd that people in general would opt to book in a location that does not suit their likes and then be dissapointed.

Miramar, the point of these posts is that people do travel research by going to travel message boards like this one, so posting one's experience and reactions may be useful. I did not go to Waikiki without knowing about it. I was booked there as part of a hula conferece, so did not have a choice. For me, it turned out to be even worse that I expected.

I am trying to point out to people who are looking for a peaceful, romantic, "Hawaiian" vacation or honeymoon that Waikiki is probably not the place they want to be.

And I am glad you did. It is good to share our thoughts about places, as it is hard to know what to expect just by reading guide books and seeing travel shows.

That said, I'm happy when these posts occur. It gives others a chance to present different points of view or even point out things that may have led to the disappointing results. What I don't like is when a poster says things like , "I hated ABCity, and you should too!"

My niece came to Hawaii for her honeymoon. She spent a week on Maui/Big Island, then spent a week in Waikiki. Guess what? They loved Waikiki, and thought it was very romantic. Her idea of romantic included dancing, hiking, surf lessons, nice dinners, and cashing in a wedding gift of a couple"s massage overlooking the beach. Waikiki met all their needs.

And I am glad you did. It is good to share our thoughts about places, as it is hard to know what to expect just by reading guide books and seeing travel shows.

That said, I'm happy when these posts occur. It gives others a chance to present different points of view or even point out things that may have led to the disappointing results. What I don't like is when a poster says things like , "I hated ABCity, and you should too!"

My niece came to Hawaii for her honeymoon. She spent a week on Maui/Big Island, then spent a week in Waikiki. Guess what? They loved Waikiki, and thought it was very romantic. Her idea of romantic included dancing, hiking, surf lessons, nice dinners, and cashing in a wedding gift of a couple"s massage overlooking the beach. Waikiki met all their needs.

We did look at Turtle Bay, but I think I like the Marriott Beach Club better, and they have a really good rate for next year because they will be doing exterior painting on the buildings. Still haven't made reservations, though, because the looking is part of the fun for me!

we're on our way to kauai, no wakiki for us this time and i do understand how some people might not like it but there's nothing like standing on beach looking towards diamond head. absoluelty beautiful

I think this is a wonderful thread and thank you for starting it, charnees. Everyone has different things they like, this kind of information will help people know if Waikiki is right for them. Everyone posting basically agrees with the reality of Waikiki (high-rises on a beach, etc.) just that some of us like it, some hate it. Fair enough :-)

Reply to <blue>toncasmo<black>,
Suspect you may find gazing across Hanalei((#))((R)) Bay from the beach towards Bali Hai also an unrivaled experience on your trip to the ((F))Garden island.