Here’s our review of our stay!
First, this is definitely a hotel pretending to be an AirBnB. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you’re not gonna get a personal touch that you would in a “traditional” AirBnB.
You’ll have an isolated check in and check out. You won’t see the property manager unless there are issues. Again, not bad, but something you should be prepared for.
The room is essentially exactly as advertised. It’s a small room, great for two people (but absolutely not more). There is ample draw space for clothes, spare towels, and a kitchenette.
The kitchenette is fully stocked. You’ll find mugs, silverware, plates, pots, pans, a knife block, cutting board, a kettle, and a coffee machine. It’s great for making small, simple breakfasts (like eggs) or grilled cheeses.
There is a small fridge and a small freezer with ice cube trays.
The bathroom has a single sink, a large counter, and a shower that’s perfect for one, a bit cramped for two.
The living space had a small table for two, and two additional lounge chairs. A Roku TV with basic cable.
There is a small window AC unit which does a decent job keeping the room cool at night. Probably would struggle during the day, but we were never in the room during the day, so it wasn’t a big deal. If you’re wanting an ice cold room on demand, then look elsewhere (also you’re in Hawaii so consider enjoying the comfortable warmth!)
Here are noticeable pros and cons:
Pros:
The view is insane. You get a direct view of the sunset (in Feb, anyway). It oversees the ocean and a good hunk of the city. You’re facing away from Waikiki and towards Ala Moana. It’s beautiful, and the room is almost worth it for the view alone.
There’s a saltwater pool and a hot tub. We enjoyed relaxing here during the late evenings. It wasn’t really ever crowded (again, in Feb).
We had an issue where a fire alarm was triggered by another guest at night. There was a bit of confusion at first, but the property manager was quick to get to the floor in question, and customer service put in a ticket so we would know what was going on. Turns out someone was cooking potatoes and burnt them (lol). We were issued a courtesy credit for the inconvenience (we did not ask for it). It was completely out of their control but a very kind gesture.
The location is phenomenal. Not too embedded in the hotel district (so the foot traffic isn’t overwhelming). Very close to some great restaurants (recommend Kpop Donuts), the Food Pantry, and an ABC convenient store. Easy access to public transit. 10-15 minute walk to Ala Moana Beach. 10-15 minute walk to Kahanamoku Beach.
Cons
The bed is not great. It had noticeable indentions, which made it somewhat uncomfortable. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but a mattress is one of the most important parts of the room, and while I don’t expect a $5000 mattress, I do expect one that isn’t so noticeably worn.
The shower water wouldn’t hold consistent hot water, which was weird because the kitchen water was always consistently hot. I don’t know how much control they have over that, but it was a bit of a shock to get random cold blasts while showering.
Overall, we enjoyed our stay, and felt like we got a pretty solid value for what we paid vs what we got. 4 stars largely for the mattress and shower water.
I would consider staying again for sure, and wouldn’t have a problem recommending the property to others, with the few caveats mentioned. Really enjoyed our stay!