Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites: A Waikiki Landmark
The Ilikai Resort is a landmark in Honolulu. Built in 1964 as a state-of-the-art condo-hotel project it appeared weekly in the opening credits of the TV show “Hawaii Five-0” for almost 12 years.
The Bottom Line
A good value option if you want to make some meals while in Waikiki, while being in walking distance of many activities including the beach. Large balcony with sunset views. Good for remote work.
Hotel Brand Affiliation
None, this is an independent hotel
One challenge with the Ilaiki is that it operates as both a hotel and privately owned condominiums. Thus, there is variability regarding upkeep and pricing when booked through different channels. Reservations can be made directly from the owners on AirBnB sites, aggregators, or directly with the hotel.
Hotel Review
It is located at the Ala Wai Yacht Marina and is about 20 minutes walking distance to the Ala Moana Shopping Center and Park. It is slightly outside the main area of Waikiki, but next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village and, if you enjoy walking, it isn’t too far from Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki.
The rooms are studio, 1- or 2-bedroom suites with full kitchens. The units are spacious and have large floor to ceiling sliding doors that open to a private balcony. Each unit has air conditioning, a living room, TV and kitchen bar area. I stayed at the Ilikai when working remote and it was perfect for me.
The Ilikai has a glass elevator that takes guests to the top floor restaurant. There is a nice courtyard between the building and the pool where sometimes there are Hawaiian shows and tiki torches are lit nightly while the evening is welcomed with a loud sound blown out of a conch shell.
Working remotely with a gorgeous view!
Rainbow view from my balcony
I thought the location and amenities were convenient for the price, even though it was outside the main walking area of Waikiki. There are two pools and a fitness facility on the property and the beach along with the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon are about a 5-10 min walk in front of the hotel.
I thought the rooms are bit outdated, but not as bad as some of the Hyatt Regency’s where I have stayed lately (IYKYN.) The other drawback is that if it is you the hotel is a maximum capacity, a line could build for the elevators. This property is popular with families, given the kitchen facilities.
In addition to having access to a kitchen, the best feature of the rooms at the Ilikai hotel is the views from the private balcony. I stayed for a week in an ocean view studio suite with a sunset view on the 24th floor and every time I looked at my view, day or night I was memorized by the gorgeous scenery over the marina. In fact, a few of the days that I was at the Ilikai, I was lucky to see a rainbow over the ocean.
Dining Options
In the lobby, there are several food options: Cinnamon’s restaurant, Paradise Poke, Dave Hawaiian Ice Cream and the Hawaiian Aroma Café for coffee.
There is an ABC across the street with food options, or Whole Foods will deliver for a small fee.
Pros
- Full kitchen and roomy layout
- Large balcony with gorgeous views (request the sunset side of building!)
- Surf shop in lobby where you can rent SUP’s or surf boards and book lessons
- Massage Therapist is in the lobby that charges reasonable prices and provides discount to hotel guests
- In walking distance to many activities and bus stop is across the street
- Resort fee includes water and 2 small chairs that can be taken to the beach
- Laundry facilities available
Cons
- At maximum capacity there could be a wait for the elevators
- Service and quality of rooms is inconsistent
- Valet Parking is expensive
- Rooms are not serviced on a daily basis; however, towels and trash will be cleaned upon request.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Beach close to the Ilikai
Typical room and sunset view
Travel Tips
- The rooms with the sunset views were worth the upgrade cost. Check various booking sites to find the best pricing.
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