This place is in an amazing location and a great value.
We stayed for August of 2022.
Pros:
- Location - Waikiki beaches and zoo are VERY walkable.
- Friendly, quiet neighbors.
- Parking space! Parking is not free in Waikiki.
- Well-stocked kitchen tools.
- Beach supplies - towels, boogie boards, wagon, shade options, flippers.
- Baby items (pack-n-play, baby bjorn-type carrier, etc.).
- Comfortable beds.
- Comfortable couch & nice TV for watching movies while recouping from all the beach time.
- Reliable internet.
- Perfect for family of 4, and would work for 5.
Cons:
- Noise and light pollution from the city.
- No surfboard accommodations in the building (see tips).
- A/C isn't great, but we were able to stay comfortable.
- Some deferred maintenance, but totally livable.
- No private office space, but I made it work.
Tips:
- Surfboard storage $65/month at Hans Hedeman Surf School (corner of Lemon Rd and Kapahulu Ave). Bring your own padlock.
- Food trucks on Cartwright Rd.
- Even if you have to Uber/Lyft/Hui, a Costco run will save you a bunch of money vs. restaurants. It's a busy Costco, so don't go at peak times unless you have to.
- Check thrift stores for beach toys if you have a car - cheap and better than putting more foam boards in the waste stream. Savers had the largest selection, Salvation Army was the cheapest, Goodwill is the closest.
- Go to Barefoot Beach Café at Sunset. Live music from 5:30-8:30. Their prices are reasonable, but you can just sit close by and listen if you don't want to buy anything.
- Kuhio Beach Hula Show (free).
- Queens Beach/Waikiki Wall for Boogie Boarding. Publics for beginner/intermediate surfing (reef break) - less crowded than Waikiki spots, except for the middle of the day when surf schools are there.
- The 4th bed option (fold-down couch) is technically in the common area. If you're planning to use it, whoever sleeps there needs to be able to handle noise from inside and outside.
- Bring ear plugs and/or sleep masks.
- Use fans for white noise and comfort at night.
- Family memberships at the zoo are usually cheaper than single-day tickets.