"Quirky, with a Pool" Breakers Hotel Tip by Rixie

Just before my most recent trip to Honolulu, my favorite small hotel, the Kai Aloha, was closing temporarily for vacation, but En Chang of the Kai Aloha reserved a room for me at The Breakers. Mrs. Ethel Nada of The Breakers was gracious enough to honor the original room rate, which I very much appreciated.

The two hotels are adjacent to each other (two little Davids to the new Trump International's Goliath) but have different addresses because the Kai Aloha fronts on Saratoga Avenue and The Breakers faces the other way, onto Beach Walk. I had a pleasant stay there, even though my heart was next door at the Kai Aloha.

I liked my room's private patio on the other side of the shoji screen, the courteous staff, and quirky things like the two reception cats, who are leash-trained, the open-air front desk, and the lending library.

My only major issue (and this was a big one for me) was The Breakers' old-fashioned policy of holding room keys at the front desk: you are asked to turn in your key at the desk when you go off-property and reclaim it when you return. I felt that it really stifled my independence. I am accustomed to stopping at my room briefly between forays -- to drop packages off, make phone calls, change clothes -- and I disliked having to do the key exchange multiple times each day.

Because mine was a special room rate through the Kai Aloha, I have not specified a price.

Unique Qualities: There is a swimming pool, as well as a laundry room, and there is free coffee by the poolside.

Address: 250 Beachwalk
Comparison: N/A
Directions: Waikiki
othercontact: (800)426-0494 Toll free
Phone: (808)923-3181
Price: N/A
Theme: Hotel
Website: http://www.breakers-hawaii.com/