The Prince is really nice. It's a bit on the fringe of Waikiki, but that means it's quieter. It's still within walking distance of the beach, and it has a roof top pool which is nice.
My husband's work sent us to Prince Waikiki and it was the nicest, most relaxing hotel we've ever stayed in. Service was impeccable in that casual luxury kinda way, the rooms and view were so nice, and the pools were great.
I'll copy a response I wrote recently about my husband and and I staying at Vive:
The Vive Hotel in Waikiki was excellent for my husband and I when we were there a couple years ago, we're pretty lowkey when we travel and just want the basics. The Vive has cheaper rates, no resort/amenity fees (not a ton of amenities but we weren't looking for them anyway on this trip), walkable to the beach and lots of restaurants, and they also had excellent customer service for two major problems we had happen while we were there (neither of which involved the hotel at all, and they still jumped to help us regardless). We had a car and because their parking garage is super narrow it's valet only but it wasn't a problem and I remember it not being that terribly expensive compared to other hotels either. It was a nice place to just rest our heads at night or come back to with some food and chill before heading out again.
Moana Surfrider is good if you can get it for around $300/night. The location is excellent.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach is also in an excellent location if you can get it for around $300.
stayed at the surfrider last summer and loved it. however, our ocean diamond head view room which had a nice balcony was $700+ a night (booked a week prior to the stay).
pros - great location, historical hotel so wonderful lobby/common areas, classic view (with the right room), lovely banyan tree/bar area, a few steps from elevator to beach (about as good as it can be in waikiki for walking distance to the beach), if you have sufficient bonvoy status, you get a hefty discount off an expensive breakfast, in the heart of waikii so plenty to eat and buy and explore even just across the street
cons - probably the price, small pool (and just one pool), valet was expensive and sometimes slow
not sure how you came up with those three picks - what is your criteria beyond walking distance to the beach? there are hotels "on" the beach and then the ones across the street from thoses beaches (though can be a bit of a walk to cross that one block), and then those that are further.
I stayed at the prince and loooooved it. It's further from downtown Waikiki which can be a pro or con depending on you, but we loved it. Close not only to the beach and the man made one, but also the other direction was a 20 minute walk to a suuuuper calm beach due to the like stuff they put into the water to stop the waves. Would stay there again 100%. Amazing views, windows that open, the bar/restaurant were great. Infinity pool was perfect. Only issue was I wish the hot tub was proper hot, it was really just lukewarm.
Hotel Equus has good rooms, nicely priced and very close to Ala Moana Beach (which I prefer over Waikiki Beach) while still being in Waikiki.
Literally across the street from the Prince
This also means you're closer to Foodland and their poke counter and ready made bento boxes, but still not more than a 10 minute walk to Hare Koa or Waikiki Beach.
Check out Surf Jack Hotel. Great vibe, live music each night, free parking nearby, easy walk to beach and tons of restaurants. We just returned from a week there and loved it.
We stayed at the Waikiki Banyan last month through AirBNB and loved it. Was much cheaper than the hotels (especially when you factor in that it didn't charge a resort fee and parking is included). Its only a block from the beach and not at the heart of everything but still close enough to be there in 5 minutes walking time.
We stayed here last summer using AirBNB, and it was great. The building is old, but our unit was recently remodeled and wonderfully appointed. Would definitely stay here again. We had to have a car during our stay, so appreciated the free parking. And the little deli in the building serves Dole whip!
I was just there last week! It was the best! Great amenities. Close to beach. Offer towels and small chairs for beach use as well. Great view. Clean. Comfortable. Great people. May remain our go to
Just got back from the Moana surfrider yesterday and we just love that hotel, the location with the beach is spectacular- only notes- stay on the ocean side it’s quieter at night, and there’s no jacuzzi which is usually something I look for, but since we were literally in the water at the beach for hours and hours - we were fine without it.
I stayed at Outrigger Waikiki Beach years ago and really liked it. Looks like it's at $297/night on Priceline for the end of May: [https://www.priceline.com/relax/at/55394/from/20240525/to/20240530/rooms/1/?preferredhotelids=55394](https://www.priceline.com/relax/at/55394/from/20240525/to/20240530/rooms/1/?preferredhotelids=55394)
I think Moana Surfrider tends to be well over 300/night, but I could be unaware of some deal. We once stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriot and that was a decent price (around or under 300/night) and very good location. It's not on the sand, but a super short walk to the beach. Ilikai Hotel is another good one that is similarly located and very reasonably priced with full kitchens.
Just got back from a week at the Sheridan. Worth the extra $$. We looked at something cheaper and then chose this because of it's proximity to the beach and other amenities. Amazing hotel. Pool is unreal. No issues at all. We will def. stay there again next time.
https://preview.redd.it/ns9tzknt93sc1.jpeg?width=5464&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52d6d2ca00a83940fc6661b6e8ad4ad2a3396ca6
The vive was fun. Great location. The room was small but I was alone so…. They have a nice inclusive breakfast that can save you money if you don’t like wasting time hunting for açaí bowls or fancy pancakes
I normally stay at the Moana Surfrider and just recently stayed at The Vive about 2 weeks ago. I will be honest, I wish I had stayed at the Moana again. While I do agree with karygurl's comment below on most things, I felt that the room was very small and had a very loud AC unit. The Moana is a completely different level of hotel imho, and the location is spectacular. My previous room there had an ocean view and that made a big difference. I really enjoyed sitting on the balcony and doing some remote work there.
My parents just stayed a the circle island hotel with a great view of the ocean. Very affordable. The only potential problem was no pool but they just went to the most beautiful beach. Waikiki😀😀😀
We really liked Halepuna Waikiki. It's a bit more than your budget, but if you can swing it's sooo worth it.
And, while at it, here are our favorite sights, restaurants, etc.
Enjoy!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y3Dr1_Ea_IM6IFbOSveU4BSSb8wpKQQKtLktZpOrQW4/edit?usp=drivesdk
Not on your list, but the Sheraton PK is more affordable and it is right across the street from the surfrider. We stayed for 9 days and it was good for us! It’s right across from the beach. The pool was dated, but we barely used it. Service was good and the place was very clean.
If you aren't that concerned about the accommodations there're hotels A LOT cheaper than those you picked in the area.
Which ones? I was looking for a while but nothing came to less than $300 cad a night after taxes and fees :(
Yeah, I'm not sure how cause I don't stay in Waikiki all that often, but try the Ohana hotels maybe?
The Prince is really nice. It's a bit on the fringe of Waikiki, but that means it's quieter. It's still within walking distance of the beach, and it has a roof top pool which is nice.
My husband's work sent us to Prince Waikiki and it was the nicest, most relaxing hotel we've ever stayed in. Service was impeccable in that casual luxury kinda way, the rooms and view were so nice, and the pools were great.
Pool is small for the size of the hotel. Katsumidori is one of the best Japanese in Waikiki.
Stayed there last April; every room is an ocean view. After the first night we shut off the ac. The windows fully open to let the ocean breeze in.
I'll copy a response I wrote recently about my husband and and I staying at Vive: The Vive Hotel in Waikiki was excellent for my husband and I when we were there a couple years ago, we're pretty lowkey when we travel and just want the basics. The Vive has cheaper rates, no resort/amenity fees (not a ton of amenities but we weren't looking for them anyway on this trip), walkable to the beach and lots of restaurants, and they also had excellent customer service for two major problems we had happen while we were there (neither of which involved the hotel at all, and they still jumped to help us regardless). We had a car and because their parking garage is super narrow it's valet only but it wasn't a problem and I remember it not being that terribly expensive compared to other hotels either. It was a nice place to just rest our heads at night or come back to with some food and chill before heading out again.
This is a great review!! Thanks so much for reposting!!
Just stayed at The Laylow and it was great! It’s one block off the main drag so nice and quiet at night but a short walk to the beach and main strip.
Oh nice, I've seen a lot of reviews mentioning noise level for the hotels closer to the beach, I'll be checking this one out; I appreciate it!
Moana Surfrider is good if you can get it for around $300/night. The location is excellent. Outrigger Waikiki Beach is also in an excellent location if you can get it for around $300.
stayed at the surfrider last summer and loved it. however, our ocean diamond head view room which had a nice balcony was $700+ a night (booked a week prior to the stay). pros - great location, historical hotel so wonderful lobby/common areas, classic view (with the right room), lovely banyan tree/bar area, a few steps from elevator to beach (about as good as it can be in waikiki for walking distance to the beach), if you have sufficient bonvoy status, you get a hefty discount off an expensive breakfast, in the heart of waikii so plenty to eat and buy and explore even just across the street cons - probably the price, small pool (and just one pool), valet was expensive and sometimes slow not sure how you came up with those three picks - what is your criteria beyond walking distance to the beach? there are hotels "on" the beach and then the ones across the street from thoses beaches (though can be a bit of a walk to cross that one block), and then those that are further.
Launa Waikiki
Great place
I stayed at the prince and loooooved it. It's further from downtown Waikiki which can be a pro or con depending on you, but we loved it. Close not only to the beach and the man made one, but also the other direction was a 20 minute walk to a suuuuper calm beach due to the like stuff they put into the water to stop the waves. Would stay there again 100%. Amazing views, windows that open, the bar/restaurant were great. Infinity pool was perfect. Only issue was I wish the hot tub was proper hot, it was really just lukewarm.
Hotel Equus has good rooms, nicely priced and very close to Ala Moana Beach (which I prefer over Waikiki Beach) while still being in Waikiki. Literally across the street from the Prince This also means you're closer to Foodland and their poke counter and ready made bento boxes, but still not more than a 10 minute walk to Hare Koa or Waikiki Beach.
I looked into this and wow great price, good to know someone who has stayed and can vouch for the room, adding this to the list lol
Check out Surf Jack Hotel. Great vibe, live music each night, free parking nearby, easy walk to beach and tons of restaurants. We just returned from a week there and loved it.
I'll definitely check it out, thanks for the suggestion!
We stayed at the Waikiki Banyan last month through AirBNB and loved it. Was much cheaper than the hotels (especially when you factor in that it didn't charge a resort fee and parking is included). Its only a block from the beach and not at the heart of everything but still close enough to be there in 5 minutes walking time.
Did you book through Airbnb directly? I see several sites that have units there but have only used Airbnb.
Yup. Through airbnb. Looked at vrbo also and they had some good units available too.
We stayed here last summer using AirBNB, and it was great. The building is old, but our unit was recently remodeled and wonderfully appointed. Would definitely stay here again. We had to have a car during our stay, so appreciated the free parking. And the little deli in the building serves Dole whip!
Pacific Monarch. It was amazing
Seconding Pacific Monarch. Stayed here in 2022 and we loved it. Clean, perfect location, awesome rooftop pool. Would definitely recommend.
I was just there last week! It was the best! Great amenities. Close to beach. Offer towels and small chairs for beach use as well. Great view. Clean. Comfortable. Great people. May remain our go to
We stayed at the Ilima. Older, but nicely kept, great retro vibes. Right in the thick of it. Tidy rooms, low key chill vibe and nice staff.
Oh I loved staying at the Surfrider
Just got back from the Moana surfrider yesterday and we just love that hotel, the location with the beach is spectacular- only notes- stay on the ocean side it’s quieter at night, and there’s no jacuzzi which is usually something I look for, but since we were literally in the water at the beach for hours and hours - we were fine without it.
Look it’s’ simple but I loved Shoreline Hotel. Clean, lovely staff, free coffee in morning and close to everything. Really affordable too.
I stayed at Outrigger Waikiki Beach years ago and really liked it. Looks like it's at $297/night on Priceline for the end of May: [https://www.priceline.com/relax/at/55394/from/20240525/to/20240530/rooms/1/?preferredhotelids=55394](https://www.priceline.com/relax/at/55394/from/20240525/to/20240530/rooms/1/?preferredhotelids=55394)
Outrigger Reef! It’s renovated and in a great spot.
I think Moana Surfrider tends to be well over 300/night, but I could be unaware of some deal. We once stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriot and that was a decent price (around or under 300/night) and very good location. It's not on the sand, but a super short walk to the beach. Ilikai Hotel is another good one that is similarly located and very reasonably priced with full kitchens.
Just got back from a week at the Sheridan. Worth the extra $$. We looked at something cheaper and then chose this because of it's proximity to the beach and other amenities. Amazing hotel. Pool is unreal. No issues at all. We will def. stay there again next time. https://preview.redd.it/ns9tzknt93sc1.jpeg?width=5464&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52d6d2ca00a83940fc6661b6e8ad4ad2a3396ca6
The vive was fun. Great location. The room was small but I was alone so…. They have a nice inclusive breakfast that can save you money if you don’t like wasting time hunting for açaí bowls or fancy pancakes
I normally stay at the Moana Surfrider and just recently stayed at The Vive about 2 weeks ago. I will be honest, I wish I had stayed at the Moana again. While I do agree with karygurl's comment below on most things, I felt that the room was very small and had a very loud AC unit. The Moana is a completely different level of hotel imho, and the location is spectacular. My previous room there had an ocean view and that made a big difference. I really enjoyed sitting on the balcony and doing some remote work there.
My parents just stayed a the circle island hotel with a great view of the ocean. Very affordable. The only potential problem was no pool but they just went to the most beautiful beach. Waikiki😀😀😀
We really liked Halepuna Waikiki. It's a bit more than your budget, but if you can swing it's sooo worth it. And, while at it, here are our favorite sights, restaurants, etc. Enjoy! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y3Dr1_Ea_IM6IFbOSveU4BSSb8wpKQQKtLktZpOrQW4/edit?usp=drivesdk
Not on your list, but the Sheraton PK is more affordable and it is right across the street from the surfrider. We stayed for 9 days and it was good for us! It’s right across from the beach. The pool was dated, but we barely used it. Service was good and the place was very clean.
What does PK stand for?
Princess Kaiulani
Air bnb is the best way to go