Overall Hiroki's apartment is a nice place to stay for a beach vacation. It has easy access to several places like stores, restaurants, beach and some of the attractions. Hiroki was prompt on communication if you need anything. The coffee maker was missing when I checked in and he was able to bring it later that day.
Pros:
- Located in Waikiki area and one building away from the canal.
- The unit is on the 3rd floor, so don't need to use the elevator often.
- Has a patio for outdoor sitting, soaking in the tropical weather.
- The room size is reasonable but most hotels rooms are bigger than this.
Cons:
- There is patio but pretty much no view. This is towards the side of the building viewing the next building. Not a big deal if you're not there for the view.
- The kitchen is too small for any proper cooking and the resources are minimal. I have stayed here for partial stay cation + vacation and cooking hasn't been easy. Frankly there is no space for even the coffee maker. And kitchen is not stocked at all and had to purchase everything. I'd say the kitchen shouldn't have been there and there should be a table top to put something as the storage space is not that much if you want to plan for remote work.
- No paper towels or hand towels provided. This has been a bit annoying.
- The elevator buttons weren't working when I stayed there for going down. Going up is fine though. But you do have to carry a key anytime you go out to access the elevator and this has been a bit annoying.
- The room was cleaned at check-in but it gets very dusty very soon. I cleaned the floor several times during my 2 week stay even with the doors closed pretty much all the time.
So, again the is a nice place if you're there just for vacation and not going to cook and instead open to eating out. Not so great value for the money if you want to work and cook.
To my surprise, there is a hotel Coconut Waikiki next to this place that had better rates for a room with a kitchen for the same duration as my stay and also has pool or spa etc., But it didn't show up in my search. So do a bit more hotel search to find the best value for your money. One thingi have noticed in Hawaii is that most hotel offer cancelation until the day before where as airbnb needs 15 days.