What can’t we say about this fantastic condo on the edge of downtown Honolulu/Waikiki?! The unobstructed views of Diamond Head and wide views of the ocean front alone make this property an amazing place to stay, but there are many other positives to staying here. Heck, even the view from the “back” of the building on the open lanai while you wait for the elevator is a breathtaking view of the mountains.
The building is primarily a residential building, so it’s relatively quiet which was a relief after seeing how crazy and loud things are down by the ocean front in the hotels and condo located there. It’s a quick 10-15 min walk from the condo to the ocean front, literally right to the protected lagoon areas. Tons of great food and things to see/do within an easily walkable (or Uber ride/bus ride away if you don’t have a car).
Speaking of parking, having an assigned parking spot in a secure garage was a relief. Easily accessible w/ the garage door clicker and a handy cart available for carting luggage or groceries to the elevator and the condo was very convenient. The building felt very secure w/ a security guard stationed downstairs, key pads and door locks required to enter the building.
Having a full kitchen made cooking breakfast daily very easy. We ate out most of the rest of the time, but brought take-out home a few times and enjoyed watching some TV while eating our meal. Good quality dishes and glasses, with plenty of other kitchen odds-&-ends are available for use, so check the cabinets before you head to the grocery store for supplies.
The new free standing AC units kept the condo comfortable during the heat of the day and at night while we slept. We’d have the lanai windows wide open in the morning thru midday, with a fan or two going to help move the trade winds thru the condo and loved how comfortable it was. We’d get to enjoy hearing the lions roaring and monkeys hooting at the zoo (which is literally next door), and could watch/listen to the island wake up.
Finding a king size bed on the island can be tough, and the bed did not disappoint. It’s a bit firmer than our mattress at home, it was comfortable and supportive for us. Heard from other people we talked to during our stay that they’d experienced cheap foam mattresses and rickety bed frames in other rentals. This made us very glad for a quality mattress, pillows, and sturdy bed frame to sleep on.
The bathroom is clean and there’s LOTS of hot water at a moments notice, which was great after a long day of playing outside. Water pressure is good too. Having in-unit laundry was a life saver as we found it beneficial to wash certain clothing items frequently and for quick washing/drying of beach towels.
Lastly, Josh is a fantastic host. He was actually traveling when we arrived and made sure his mother (Linda, who is an island resident) was reachable for any issues that arose. Unfortunately, I needed medical care the night I arrived and Linda helped with locating a good urgent care. We had some small hiccups with the electronic door lock at the end of our trip and Josh was very helpful in finding a work around for when we were going to check out. He also “saved the day” when we had unexpected delays with our departure flight our last day on the island.
So if I haven’t convinced you yet to rent this great condo, what else can I say? Just book it already! You won’t regret it. We hope to return to Oahu in the future and staying at Josh’s place again is at the top of our list if it’s available.