Honolulu Hotel Tips by Lacristina

I did quite a bit of research before settling on the Ali'i Tower at the HHV - and I'm glad I chose it. No, it isn't cheap, but even at $289 for a partial ocean view ($279 AARP rate) it was good value. The Ali'i comes with a white-gloved doorman, welcoming fruit bowl (including papaya - yum!), kimono style robes and slippers, covered balcony with upscale chairs and table, a marble bathroom with two separate sinks, plasma tv, private swimming pool overlooking the beach (only Ali'i Tower guests) and adjacent private bar and cafe style breakfast area, and just about every amenity and service you could want. The towels and chaise lounges at the Ali'i pool are free, and there were always chairs available no matter what time we showed up. Between 5-7 they offer free h'ors d'oeuvres.

Even the continental breakfast seemed reasonably priced - all the fresh fruit, juice, coffee, toast, scones, bagels, crossants, and jam you could eat, in a beautiful location overlooking the beach, for just $8.

The Hawaiian "village" includes dozens of shops and restaurants, a mini version of the Bishop's Museum, a beautifully landscaped pool, evening entertainment, fireworks on Friday night, access to the beach, gardens, exotic birds, sculptures... Staying at the Ali'i Tower gives you a sense of a private paradise - leaving the bustle of the main village behind. The other hotels I could find with rooms and amenities as nice as the Ali'i cost nearly double the price.

Friends were staying at the Outrigger, so I checked out the rooms there (which cost just a little less than our room at the Ali'i). There was NO comparison! The decor and furniture seemed cheesy compared to the Hilton.

Complaints - a couple of minor ones. Annoying that they charge for internet access, but more annoying that they don't provide a connector. And phone charges: $1 for a local call?

Some people say that the Hilton is a little out of the way - they mean it is a 5-10 minute walk to get to the heart of the Waikiki hotel/retail area. I think that's a plus.

Unique Qualities: Private pool, bar and breakfast area at the Ali'i Tower.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-808-949-4321
Address: 2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Directions: West end of Waikiki Beach, next to Ft. DeRussy
Website: http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/index_flash.asp

I didn't stay at the Outrigger, but I ate there twice and friends were staying there, so I was able to check out the rooms. I saw enough to be sure I wouldn't want to stay there and pay luxury prices for Motel 6 quality.

The rooms at the Outrigger don't cost all that much less than our room at the Ali'i Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - but I thought there was NO comparison. The decor and furniture looked cheap compared to the Hilton. The "city view" double room I saw was so tiny there was only room for a small table between the two twin beds. Very tiny bathroom, too.

In another larger room (a suite) with partial ocean view, the balcony seemed very narrow. The balcony also gave the feeling of being slightly tilted and too open or unprotected (I'm not saying it WAS dangerous) - so no one really wanted to stand out on it. It just wasn't comfortable.

Then there was the 20-something party going on in the next room which was so bad the hotel finally threw them out. I know, it's not the hotel's fault, but the experience was not positive.

The lobby is plain, but the restaurants were fine - service was friendly and the beach-front setting was lovely, especially in the evening. The food at Chuck's Steakhouse was surprisingly good.

The shop in the lobby that sells Hawaiian shirts had some great deals on men's silk shirts on the sale rack. A friend who lives on Oahu and joined us for lunch actually bought a couple of shirts because they were so nice and such a great price.

Unique Qualities: The Hotel is directly on the beach - but be aware that the Waikiki beach isn't really the best in the world. It is rather narrow, and the sand is coarse.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 808-923-3111
Address: 2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Directions: Not on the main drag - but on Kalia Street, on the beach, next to the Ft. DeRussy Miliary Museum.
Website: http://outrigger.com/hotels_detail.aspx?hotel=2