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Aqua Waikiki Beachside
Rating Details »
2452 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(866) 406-2782
Honolulu, HI 96815
(866) 406-2782
- Price Range:
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$
6 reviews for Aqua Waikiki Beachside
Prior to checking in, I'd read in a book that the views of the beach are great the higher up you go. Upon checking in, I asked if we could stay as high up as possible and we were put into the 12th floor, top corner unit. It had recently been remodeled and was clean, air conditioned, and had a lovely private balcony with two chairs and a table, perfect for an early morning picnic watching the sun shine on the early surfers, or relaxing after a long day of snorkeling and touring the island. With the sliding door closed, it was totally quiet at night, and very comfortable. The small fridge was perfect, and the TV pulled out of the cabinet on a sliding tray.
The staff was friendly, helpful, especially Greg, and anything you need, you just have to ask.. more towels, wash cloths, etc. and they were happy to accommodate. The location is right in the middle of Waikiki Beach, across the street from the big banyan tree and boasts views that nearby hotels charge more than double for. This was my 5th time visiting Waikiki and I've stayed in many hotels around the same price. None other offered the view and location Waikiki Beachside did. It was nice to experience Waikiki nightlife from the comfort of our balcony 12 floors up!
The downsides are few: The elevator is old and slow and can take a while (they say it too runs on island time), *especially* during continental breakfast time, which is 7:30 - 8:30 am (Not long enough for breakfast, but the front desk was very helpful in offering a handful of suggestions for breakfast within walking distance). One of the days, the air conditioning in the whole hotel wasn't working and it made it a little uncomfortable in the room but really, with the beach right across the street, it wasn't bad at all. It was initially difficult to find, but once we narrowed down which block it was in, no problem. Parking anywhere in Waikiki is going to run about $15-$35 a day. It's just how it is and you have to take that in to account in the price of your trip. Sometimes, if you are polite and friendly, you can get a great deal on parking for a week if you're there if you ask. We ended up a hop, skip, and a jump away for $100 flat for in/out valet the 9 day duration of our trip.
After staying in a variety of hotels both more and less expensive in Waikiki, hands down, Waikiki Beachside is great!
boyfriend and i stayed here last year last minute. we were staying with a friend while visiting oahu, but decided that on our last night we'd get a hotel downtown because it was much closer to the airport than our friends house. this was the cheapest hotel that had a good proximity to the beach.
that's about the only thing it has going for it - the fact that it's right across the street from waikiki beach. other than that, i found it to be quite ghetto (for the lack of a better word). first off, not much of a lobby at all... second off, the elevator is tiny and it was a sketchy ride up to the top floor. though our room was at the top, it was located on the backside which looks right down into a scary alley and your view is of a concrete wall of the building next to the hotel.
the room was very outdated... the decor was bleh. lets just say the whole room is a nasty, mildewy pink color. it has sort of an asian theme... the beds were the most uncomfortable hotel beds i've ever slept in. motel 6 beds were wayyyyy better than this. they didn't have any rooms with king or queen beds, so we got stuck with 2 twin beds. they may call them double beds, but they were some small doubles. these beds were the size of my dorm bed when i was in college. the matress felt like a board.
the only semi updated thing this room had was maybe the bathroom. the fixtures and shower looked new. i suppose if you're just looking for a cheap place near the beach to crash at night this would do... but if you're looking to spend any time in the hotel or get a good nights sleep or at least feel like your on a pleasant hawaiian vacation, i would suggest looking elsewhere...
Less trine it again. . .
will trine mekkit sometime this May or, September, wennitz not rainiing.
[I STILL NEED THOSE BOMBAY CHESTS IN THE LOBBY]
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/31/2008
This one of the chain along WKK is listed as "Lite" on their website = $79/nite: Well, for that… Read more »
I have the luck to have Hawaii as a territory for work. That having been said, I have stayed many different places in Honolulu. From the Surfrider and the Hale Koa, to Outriggers, and the Aqua boutique chain.
By far the best location (if not the best quality) of the Aqua chain, the view overlooks the portion of beach that is run by the star beach boys (the yellow umbrellas and beach chair rentals) and the Banyan tree just east of the HPD office and the statue of Duke.
Slightly run down seems to be a common theme of these reviews, and if that is a sticking point, steer clear. I like this location for it's proximity to the 24 hour fitness a block away (which has been recently renovated).
Aside from the gym, there really isn't much to the east of the location, so you get used to walking west toward all the touristy crap, restaurants and bars.
Lave is an amazing staff member, especially when judged against some of the other staff working the desk (as we attempted to call down to check out and have a cab brought round, the phone in the lobby rang off the hook for over 30 minutes. We assumed it was due to a line of travelers either checking in or out, but when we went down in person the reception guy was plucking away at his uekelele and not busy at all!) Lave, on the other hand helped to receive my business package (which the manager refused b/c the first name didin't match, but Lave saw the last name DID and made the connection), saving my business trip in one fell swoop.
Rooms are small. Rooms are clean. A/C is great (assuming your wife lets you enjoy it). Pay the extra 10 bucks for ocean view. Totally worth it.
Now, enough about the room. You're in Hawaii, get out on the beach!
What the hotel lacks in frills and thrills, it makes up in service. The hotel is old, the decor isn't that great, the TV in the room is ancient (Zenith? Really?), it has 1 really small elevator, continental breakfast is only from 7:30a-8:30a and only has muffins, apples, coffee, and juice. The hotel is also really hard to find because the entrance is practically hidden! HOWEVER, it is right across the street from Waikiki Beach, there is an ABC right next to it, and the staff is super friendly! Props to front desk agent Lave who took take of us when Travelocity f"d up and didn't send over the reservation AND he also comped our parking for all of our troubles! I suggest paying a little extra for a beach view! So nice to wake up and see the ocean in the morning! Not the nicest hotel but if you're on a budget and don't mind giving up having a flat screen TV and a huge bathroom for a cool view, its worth it!
Aqua Beachside is a new addition to the Aqua boutique hotels. It's a little gem hidden on the block between the Hyatt and McDonalds. The hotel is just a few steps away from the Waikiki Beach and Kuhio Beach Park. Most importantly, the ABC store was just next door.
Remember, this is a Budget hotel, so aside from housekeeping and free toiletries, don't expect much. The hotel is very small and weathered but clean. Surprisingly, we didn't hear much traffic considering the prime location. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There is complimentary WiFi and they also provide beach towels. For $94/night the Beachside is perfect for the Budget traveler who doesn't need luxury amenities.
