Hawaii Honeymoon, Anyone from this forum stay in Waikiki??

[July09Bride 1]

We're staying in Honolulu for a few days and we just can't decide where we want to stay.

On/near/close to the beach?

Save the $$$ and go for a city view

Bust out the $$$ and go for an ocean view?

Go with the place listed on Hotewire as a 4* Resort for $115?

Go with the place further out a bit for less?

*sigh*

So many decisions. Any insight?????

[GheTToJaTTi 0]

i would go with the ocean view

[MrsCat 6]

Waikiki is about 3-4 blocks deep. So no matter how far out you stay, you'll be within walking distance to the beach. 4 Star for $115 is a pretty darn good price. Hawaii's tourism is really suffering right now, I'd bet that you can Priceline something for even cheaper.

Now ocean view for more is really up to you and probably depends on how much time you'll be spending in the room. To me, not worth it, since you're never really far from the ocean. If you wanna see the sunset or rise, just take a 3 minute stroll and watch it from the sand. That's just me.

The true beach front hotels in Waikiki are all pretty much fantastic. And they all usually have nice pools if you don't want to get all salty from the ocean.

Things are $$$$$ in Hawaii. So I'd save the money on the ocean view room and splurge on nice dinners and excursions. But it all depends on what you're into.

Best money I've ever spend on Oahu, was getting the rental car, and heading out to the North shore. You really get away from the crowds and can have a spot on the beach all to yourself with your new hubby.

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah I wouldn't spend alot of money just for a nice view.. you are only going to be sleeping and maybe doing some other stuff in your room.. like cat said save your money for food and other fun stuff

[nowhereman 1]

I stayed at the military hotel on the beach, but like others said there are a lot of hotels to choose from. I'd imagine any of the name brand hotels (3 star & up) would be fine.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I think the best thing to do would be to set a budget, then decide what your priorities are. I'd say, its your honeymoon, live a little! But we all know that immigration+wedding= not a lot left over. If saving some cash is a priority then the city view hotel might be a good option. However, if you want to splurge on an unforgettable vacation you will never forget, the ocean view is the way to go. If it was me? I'd go the ocean view. What are the chances you'll ever do it again? But, easy for me to say, I'm not the one paying the bill at the end of the week

[Flames9_RN 358]

Stayed a few times at the Outrgiggers, there are a few of them very close to the beach. Guess the ones we stayed at are no longer outriggers but are now Ohana. We stayed at the east or west, cant recall,lol

http://search2.ohanahotels.com/?i=1&re...s_Waikikiapr_09

if that doesnt work: http://www.ohanahotels.com/

[FormelyCA 0]

OHHH HAWAII!! JEALOUS!

Well, it depends on the type of gal/bride you are. If you plan on spending most of the time in your room, ocean view. But, Waikiki is very small, and everything is close. But, try priceline for an oceanview, you just never know! We rented a place from VRBO and got a city room for like $500 a week or something. The view was awful, but we were out literally form 7 am - late, so didn't even see the view. Just depends on if your an explorer or a relaxer

I know you just asked for rooms but I'll throw in my 2 cents of things to see

Without a doubt, the absolute best thing we did also was rent a car (a convertible too! Which in my opinion is what made it THE BEST!) and drove ALL around the island. It is so small that this is no big feat really.

The North shore is nice but I think the best place on the island is East Shore. Lanikai beach was BREATHTAKING. It is a bit tricky to find, you will have to ask the locals as the best spot is down some unmarked entrance. I'll attach a pic to entice you and get you excited

And Kaulua Ranch was DEFINITELY worth the day trip/cost. I think we paid about $100 each and that included 4 activities. We chose horseback riding, ATVing (kinda lame but the scenery was BREATHTAKING...it's located where Jurassic Park was filmed), a Boat ride and a trip to the top of the hill, or something. Totally worth it.

And Hanauma Bay of course! GREAT snorkeling, go EARLY.

Here are some pics:

Lanikai

Hanauma Bay

Kaulua Ranch - Boat Trip

You are going to have the time of your life! Have fun planning!!!

Edited June 5, 2009 by FormelyCA

[Carlawarla 1]

Wow, lots of good suggestions and ideas here. I'll throw in another... Rent a condo! We had a lovely condo about 2 blocks from the beach. It actually had a lanai (SMALL balcony) that we had our morning coffee on, that faced north. So, we got to look one way to the mountains, the other way to the ocean. We were there for 10 days, so it was nice having a condo so that we could relax and have breakfast there, and we had dinners out. This was several years ago, but we found it cheaper...firstly we had free parking, the suite was lovely, and the price was under $100.00 a night. We didn't spend much time in the room anyway.

Definitely get a car, but only to get away to other parts of the Island. If you're just going for two days though I don't know how much time you're going to be ooot and aboot.

Why only two days anyway? I can't imagine going there for just two days. You need more time than that. Is it a stopover on a longer jaunt?

While Hawaii is really nice there are some things to know...

1. It's very expensive

2. It's not its cracked up to be

3. While the "natives" love your tourist dollars, they really don't like you. If you know anything about Hawaii's political history, I can see why.

Just my opinion.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Carlawarla

[FormelyCA 0]

I forgot the Shark Tour!! We did a shark tour and got in cages in the ocean with sharks swimming all around us. I was sea sick and puking off the side for most of it...but.....still one of the best things we did!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yes, Hanuama bay rocks--get a water prrof disposable camera. One can purchase fish food there and they will come right up to you, soo many beautiful colors of fish!! As well the Polynesian cultural centre is awesome!! http://www.polynesia.com/

Been there man times when I was with the Cdn navy, and to be honest, not a favorite place of mine, lol but i'm sure many wil disagree. Waikiki is fun, but I think if one goes to some of the smaller islands, it would be much more enjoyable and less touristry. Not get me wrong, you will have a good time

[Emancipation 2]

can I come with?

[warlord 72]

I was there in the 80's for about a week before we moved and got settled in Maui where my dad was working. I recall we stayed a few blocks from the beach and just walked there every day without a problem. If I was ever going back, I'd probably want to stay right on the beach, but of course you're looking at a lot more money.

I loved the one bay near there though were you can snorkle in. That was great...

[TimandJoyce 1]

How exciting!! I met Tim in Honolulu!!! I won't answer your question about where to stay, you've enough suggestions to think about right up to the time of your wedding!!

I love that place!! I hope to go back. Tim and I won't be, just because of $$$$, the wedding is going to take care of that! Explore, explore, explore!! I think it's the Shorebird restaurant that is right on the beach, and you grill your own dinner, etc, but what a view to watch the sunset!! Course, anywhere you go is a good view for that!!

Have a great and fantastic time!!

[Emancipation 2]

I loved the one bay near there though were you can snorkle in. That was great...

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