It was, all in all, an alright stay for the price. But, I can't say that I loved being there.
If I could describe the vibe in a word, I'd probably say "dingy"; I've had way better stays when traveling. The photos make the room look much brighter than it is in reality. We kept the curtains closed most of the time because occupants of the hotel next door could see right into our room, which amplified the sense of dimness, what with the limited fluorescent lighting provided.
The building overall is pretty old (it looks like it's in slightly better condition relative to the crumbling, boarded-up building next door), so the room smells a little damp, the walls & ceilings are thin, and the front door has a massive gap at the bottom - making for very little insulation from outside noise. Being on only the third floor near one of the busiest intersections on Kuhio Ave, the street noise is significant. You hear the louder conversations of tourists, their holiday sports car/motorcycle/scooter rentals, and the roar of delivery trucks & busses - almost as if you are right out on the street. Nevertheless, understanding that this is an older building, there probably isn't too much to be done about these aspects of the unit without a total renovation.
There are a few things that could be improved though - the mattress sags at the corners, and the sheets have a slightly oily feel/smell - could probably use stronger detergent and a more aggressive wash/dry setting. The floors are slightly sticky; whatever product was used to clean them needs to be fully wiped off with cleaner tools.
There are some pros - management is extremely responsive, and the wifi is fast. I was thankful to find a pet-friendly spot at short notice. And as with most units in Waikiki, you are walking distance to great restaurants and ABC stores. Still, until the building sees some improvements, I'd say that there are probably better places to stay; you might be spending a bit more, but you'd get much more value.
Some final notes:
- This is a walkup, so be prepared for stairs.
- There is no parking. We parked on Ala Wai Canal and Monsarrat Ave, but there are strict towing hours, so park at your own risk. If you have a car and would prefer to be safe, I'd recommend parking a few blocks down at Waikiki Banyan - it includes in/out privileges at $30 for 24 hours or $150 for 7 days.