Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach

If you’re wondering where retired folks from the North American Heartland disappear to in winter, you’ve found it. This is a friendly, budget-to-moderate, locally owned hotel and that’s exactly how it feels—crowds of bus-tour visitor types with Samsonite luggage and shell necklaces milling in the lobby, more of them permanently parked by the smallish pool and beer-and-hotdog poolside café. The hotel is right in the center of Waikiki, about a block from the beach and anchored by a Chili’s and a Western saloon that attracts a lot of stationed military men in the wee hours. Rooms are pretty down to earth, with “vintage” Island flavors, kitchenettes (there’s a large grocery store next door) and private balconies. The hotel’s really a pretty good setup if you just want something affordable and central—and frankly, sometimes it can be a relief to escape the “hipster” scene.

The Ohana West Hotel is located right in the middle of all the excitement that Waikiki has to offer. The lobby area is spacious with a Hawaiian theme with ocean inspired paintings and tropical plants. There is a small snack shop conveniently located inside of the lobby. The rooms are a little bit dated and have a Hawaiian theme with tropical bed sheets. But the beds are comfy enough to sleep in. The bathroom is very tiny but is clean and comes with the necessary toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, shower cap). The pool is of decent size for swimming laps and there are tons of chairs to lounge in around the pool. There is also a nice bar area and more tables right near the pool. Every Thursday night is game night at the pool bar where you can compete for cash prizes in trivia, giant jenga, and ping pong. There is a Denny’s restaurant right across the street of the hotel and a Chili’s restaurant connected to the hotel.

If you’re looking for a room with a reasonable price tag in a convenient location, you might want to consider Ohana Waikiki West. The hotel is set on a lively, bustling intersection just two blocks from Waikiki Beach and many of Waikiki’s most popular restaurants, shopping centers and nightlife. The rooms here are cheaper than the rooms at most of the waterfront hotels, so this is a great option for travelers who are on a budget and don’t mind a short walk through an urban landscape to get to the beach. All the rooms here have refrigerators, and many of them have small kitchenettes. Food is pretty pricey in Waikiki, so it's nice to be able to refrigerate leftovers and do a little cooking in the room. This hotel is also ideal for families or people traveling in large groups because you can rent two connecting rooms with two bathrooms and a shared kitchenette. The hotel has lots of other amenities, including two restaurants on-site (Chili’s Grill & Bar and Nashville Waikiki), a fitness center and a spacious outdoor swimming pool with lots of tables and lounges. But don’t come here for luxury. There are much more stylish hotels closer to the waterfront.

This moderate priced hotel close to the International Marketplace in the heart of Waikiki is popular for package deals, elderly guests and students. The elevators were sluggish, so I took the stairs when I could. The lobby is pleasant and the relaxing, large pool/area has a side bar and The Cabanas eatery. The spacious, updated room with a full kitchenette had a traditional Hawaiiana motif and the private east facing lanai overlooked the Ala Wai Canal and mountains to the left with brief glimpses of Diamond Head and the ocean through towering hotels to the right. Rooms also provide complimentary internet access and there’s an onsite coin operated laundry facility. Food Pantry grocery store is across the street (outrageous prices that will make you faint) and Chili’s Bar & Grill is on the ground level, as well as a pharmacy and a film developing shop.

I was surprised at the great deal we got when we stayed at Ohana Waikiki West. If you can bear to stay further in from the beach, you’re more likely to find better values like what we found at Waikiki West.

Located near the back of the International Market Place, this hotel is fairly central and not too far a walk from the beach. You still feel like you’re a part of the action, and the nightlife around this area is definitely alive.

The room was comfortable and clean, and we didn’t have any problems with the service. While it wasn’t a fancy experience, I enjoyed our stay at Ohana Waikiki West.