HOLIDAYING IN OAHU

We are planning on a week's vacation in Honolulu before Christmas (have been renovating and need to recover from all the hours and hours of painting etc etc). We would like to stay in a 1 bedroom place with a kitchen - has anyone stayed at the Waikiki Banyan or the Honolulu Prince or have any recommendations? Thanks Vicki http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Vicki my review is second hand, but my friend was so emphatic when I asked about the Honolulu Prince I decided to post. According to her, the Honolulu Prince and Waikiki Banyan are both Aston properties.
Her review of the Prince is as follows, pluses--big rooms, near International Market Place and bus lines. Negatives--OLD, shabby, noisy, no parking, near a strip club. She'd heard of the Banyan but couldn't offer a review. Here's a website I use when all else fails. Trip Advisor
I love going to Hawaii in December, seeing Santa paddle an outrigger on to Waikiki Beach just has to be seen. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif

Keep'em flying

Vicki,
Try checking out the Outrigger chain ( www.outrigger.com ) for basic accomodation or their parent company Ohana hotels ( www.Ohanahotels.com ) for the posher places. Not only do they offer a good travel industry rate but you can check availability and book at the travel industry rates online ( tick the appropriate box on the reservations page ).
Now how cool is that !!!

http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifThanks Migflanker and Paul for your advice - I wasn't too sure about the Honolulu Prince but have decided after reading your friend's review to give it a miss. I've also had a look at the Outrigger sites but with teenage kids I would really like at least a one bedroom place. Also, although our exchange rate is better than when we were over there last year it still adds a bit to the cost (at the moment $AUS1.00 = $US 74c).

Vicki,
I'm a bit confused by your reply ... I'm sure that there are 1 bedroomed kitchenettes at least some of the Outrigger/Ohanas hotels.

:You're right Paul - I'll have to have a more detailed look at their site. Although the industry prices seem to be coming up the same as the web price (at least for the Outrigger Waikiki and with the exchange rate the cheapest room rate is $A250.00 pn).

Vicki,
I guess thats possible ... if its near Christmas there may be no travel industry discount available or all the rooms at that rate have been grabbed already. I had a look earlier in the year for a colleague here and remember a rate of USD 100 quoted for 1 1bed but I can't remember which place it was at...its a pity there isn't a 'search all properties function'.

Just got back in sept stayed at the renaissance LOVED it. Full kitchen $145 night call ask for id90 rate. It is next door to hilton which we seriously considered they gave us id90 rate of $190 for 1 bed room. Our son went the pevious week stayed at the Banyan they got a great deal right on astons web site for 2 people INCLUDING airfare for 7 nights $1400!

<a href="http://www.ilikaihotel.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ilikaihotel.com/</A>
<a href="http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/accommodations/lagoon-tower.asp" target="_blank">http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/accom...agoon-tower.asp</A>

Vicki - try also looking for some Condo Rentals. It looks like you are wanting Waikiki area, and if travel is early enough in December (i.e. - before 15th-20th) then some good deals can be found. Have posted a couple below here for you that friends have told me about - if nothing else they will give you an idea of what is available in this style of accom and may give you some ideas. Just don't expect glamour or Ritz !!
<a href="http://www.waikikicondorentals.com" target="_blank">http://www.waikikicondorentals.com</A>
<a href="http://www.alohawaikikicondos.com" target="_blank">http://www.alohawaikikicondos.com</A>
<a href="http://www.royalhawaii.com/oahu.htm" target="_blank">http://www.royalhawaii.com/oahu.htm</A>
<a href="http://www.waikiki-condos.com/444.html" target="_blank">http://www.waikiki-condos.com/444.html</A>
<a href="http://www.waikiki-condos.com/island-colony.html" target="_blank">http://www.waikiki-condos.com/island-colony.html</A>
<a href="http://www.waikiki-condos.com/aqua-bamboo.html" target="_blank">http://www.waikiki-condos.com/aqua-bamboo.html</A>
<a href="http://www.my-hawaii-vacations.com/Hawaii/Hawaii-3280.asp" target="_blank">http://www.my-hawaii-vacations.com/Hawaii/Hawaii-3280.asp</A>
<a href="http://superwrentals.com/" target="_blank">http://superwrentals.com/</A>
<a href="http://www.winstonswaikikicondos.com/HTML/features.html" target="_blank">http://www.winstonswaikikicondos.com/HTML/features.html</A>

http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifThanks guys, will keep me busy looking at those sites tonight! Hope those good deals are still around later in December - we are looking at going on the 16th and unfortunately can't go any earlier.

OOPs here are the numbers I forgot you could also try www.vrbo.com
You can contact The Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki at any of the numbers below.


Room Reservations:
Toll-Free in USA and Canada: 1-800-2ILIKAI (1-800-245-4524)
Fax: 808-947-0892
or
Book Online (this will open a new browser window)

Hotel Phone: 808-949-3811

Hotel Fax: 808-947-4523

E-mail: sales@ilikaihotel.com

Mail:
Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel
1777 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815-1606
USA

Hilton Grand Vacations Club
2003 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
Tel: 1-808-949-4321 Fax: 1-808-947-8612

<a href="http://www.astonhotels.com/aston/propertyOverview.do?propertyGroupId=25557" target="_blank">http://www.astonhotels.com/aston/propertyO...tyGroupId=25557</A>
Rate Season: 2005 Value Rates
Dates Valid: 01/02/2005 - 02/10/2005; 03/01/2005 - 03/24/2005; 04/01/2005 - 06/30/2005; 09/01/2005 - 11/20/2005; 11/28/2005 - 12/22/2005
ROOM TYPE STANDARD /EPRICEBREAKER
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Standard $139
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Superior $151
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Deluxe Mountain View $165
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Deluxe Ocean View $185

here you go I found this on vrbo your dates $110 a night !At Renaissance Ilikai Hotel Condos, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii private owner
<a href="http://www.vrbo.com/44079" target="_blank">http://www.vrbo.com/44079</A>

http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifGreat - thanks, I'll have a look at those sites - the price seems okay (probably around $A145.00 a night I think).

http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifHas anyone been on the Atlantis submarine tour and, if so, what did they think?

I would highly recommend you go whale watching. The tour desk/concierge at your hotel can make the arrangements for you.

Might do that, we went a couple of years ago when we were staying at Fraser Island (here in Australia!)and it was a fantastic experience but won't there be HUGE seas at this time of year? (I don't like rocking boats). I've heard it is cheaper to book things when we get there using coupons??

[quote]Originally posted by Vicki:
(I don't like rocking boats).

Whale watching tips from one that has been there and survived! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Morning trips are usualy calmer than trips later in the day, however afternoon trips do have the advantage of the captain knowing where the whales are, so there isn't so much of "just sailing around", and believe me, there is a lot of "just sailing around" when you're looking for whales.
Before you go aboard take some motion sickness medicine ( you can also try the sea bands although they don't work for me) and definitely eat something, trust me you don't want to go sailing on an empty stomach. Also bring along some crackers and ginger ale for your trip, yes most of the boats have food aboard, but this is just in case you can't pry yourself away for the rail. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_redface.gif Once aboard head for the lower deck and sit near the middle or toward the stern, and whatever you do don't scan the horizon looking for whales, this will only lead to di..sas..ter. BTW, binoculars, don't use them, the last thing you need is optics playing with the horizon; a better course of action is to just close your eyes, picture the Grand Canyon and repeat "there's no place like home, there's no place like home". http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif Eventually someone will shout "whales" and all the rocking and rolling will be forgotten. Oh, if you are on the wrong side don't move, (remember your stomach) the captain will reposition the boat so everyone gets a front row seat, besides whales are very curious and many times will circle the boat. The trip back is much quicker and remember... there be land ahead matey! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Hope this helps http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif believe it or not I had a good time.

Keep'em flying

And if a man carrying a bucket of fish asks for a volunteer .... The engine room makes a good hiding place !!! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif