Waikiki Help

[1confused1]

We are planning a graduation trip for our kids and need some help. There are 10 boys, ages 17-18. Requirements are on the beach, has pools, waking distance to activities/restaurants.

Any ideas?

[basilosaurus]

Probably the Hilton. Direcly on the beach, they host Friday night fireworks, great pools. It's probably the most all around for that age group.

There's nothing that isn't walkable in Waikiki. I've lived on both ends (zoo and marina) and walked everywhere. You can also stay just a block or two off the beach if Hilton is too pricey. Most of the other beachfront hotels are geared toward higher end and older adults.

If you have specific questions about any other properties you're looking at I can try to help, although I haven't lived there in a decade. I have dined at probably most of the beachfront resorts, and those are well-established and been there forever, so I doubt they've changed much.

[expectantsteelerfan]

We haven't been, but are going this summer with my teens and picked the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki for while on Maui. Of course, a week after we booked, that hotel and several others had workers go on strike, and the protests are centered at the Hilton.

I'm guessing the strike will be resolved by this summer, but it is currently on-going, and I don't know how I feel about supporting that hotel, depending on the outcome of the strike I guess.

I'm on a FB group called All Things Oahu Hawaiian Paradise, and it has been helpful in planning. There are some people who respond to questions with 'google it' and snarky answers like most groups, but most of the posters have been helpful.

If we do cancel the Hilton, the other resorts we were considering are in the Ko'Olina area, so no help with alternatives, but I see several recommended, one is the Outrigger I think?

[chchchia]

If you are dead set on staying in Waikiki then I'd go with Hilton Hawaiian village. I believe some of the workers are on strike so you may want to look that up. PP stated that everything in Waikiki is walkable and they are correct, if it were me though I'd stay somewhere else down island and make Waikiki a day trip or two. If you are solely interested in Waikiki then I'd go for Hilton Hawaiian.

[basilosaurus]

Oct 30, 2024 6:36:17 GMT -5 chchchia said:

If you are dead set on staying in Waikiki then I'd go with Hilton Hawaiian village. I believe some of the workers are on strike so you may want to look that up. PP stated that everything in Waikiki is walkable and they are correct, if it were me though I'd stay somewhere else down island and make Waikiki a day trip or two. If you are solely interested in Waikiki then I'd go for Hilton Hawaiian.

If this were a couple or a family, I'd probably agree. But this many teens, Waikiki gives them tons of freedom due to its walkability that really isn't matched elsewhere.

I don't know about the current strike, but it's a fairly common occurrance and does affect more than just the Hilton. It makes sense why that would be the center of it, though.

[chchchia]

Oct 30, 2024 6:43:16 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Oct 30, 2024 6:36:17 GMT -5 chchchia said:

If you are dead set on staying in Waikiki then I'd go with Hilton Hawaiian village. I believe some of the workers are on strike so you may want to look that up. PP stated that everything in Waikiki is walkable and they are correct, if it were me though I'd stay somewhere else down island and make Waikiki a day trip or two. If you are solely interested in Waikiki then I'd go for Hilton Hawaiian.

If this were a couple or a family, I'd probably agree. But this many teens, Waikiki gives them tons of freedom due to its walkability that really isn't matched elsewhere.

I don't know about the current strike, but it's a fairly common occurrance and does affect more than just the Hilton. It makes sense why that would be the center of it, though.

I agree about the younger people wanting to go out and enjoy Waikiki, from the safety aspect of it, Waikiki at night isn't the safest.  I can say that about anywhere though so I agree with your point. The strike has been going on for quite a bit from what I've heard but they've been working around it.  
I'm old now so my preference would always be down island away from the crowds. 

[basilosaurus]

Oct 30, 2024 6:50:39 GMT -5 chchchia said:

Oct 30, 2024 6:43:16 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

If this were a couple or a family, I'd probably agree. But this many teens, Waikiki gives them tons of freedom due to its walkability that really isn't matched elsewhere.

I don't know about the current strike, but it's a fairly common occurrance and does affect more than just the Hilton. It makes sense why that would be the center of it, though.

I agree about the younger people wanting to go out and enjoy Waikiki, from the safety aspect of it, Waikiki at night isn't the safest.  I can say that about anywhere though so I agree with your point. The strike has been going on for quite a bit from what I've heard but they've been working around it.  
I'm old now so my preference would always be down island away from the crowds. 

I lived in Waikiki 2 years both next and despite the reputation never once felt unsafe. There are a few clubs to avoid but they shouldn't be going to clubs anyway.

[chchchia]

Oct 30, 2024 8:17:33 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Oct 30, 2024 6:50:39 GMT -5 chchchia said:

I agree about the younger people wanting to go out and enjoy Waikiki, from the safety aspect of it, Waikiki at night isn't the safest.  I can say that about anywhere though so I agree with your point. The strike has been going on for quite a bit from what I've heard but they've been working around it.  
I'm old now so my preference would always be down island away from the crowds. 

I lived in Waikiki 2 years both next and despite the reputation never once felt unsafe. There are a few clubs to avoid but they shouldn't be going to clubs anyway.

I also lived in Waikiki for about 3 1/2 years closer to the Alai Wai canal (near the zoo) and while I did not feel unsafe there, there were parts where I did feel unsafe and again having returned as an adult my view is more cautious than it was when I was younger. 

My perspective won't be the same as yours and vice versa, I was simply sharing mine. 

[CloudBee]

We've always stayed with family, thankfully, but I would choose the Hilton or one of the Hyatts. I believe one of the Hyatts even has efficiency kitchens.

Food on Waikiki is very inflated, and it would be so nice to have the ability to cook your own breakfast sandwiches, etc.

Another thing to note is that if you have a rental car, all of the hotels charge for parking. Many require offsite valet. Parking as a hotel guest can be wildly expensive on Waikiki, where day parking if you stay inland a bit is much more reasonable. If you don't NEED to stay beachfront, you will save a lot of money on food and parking.

As I said above, we've been lucky to have family within walking distance of Waikiki for years. Recently we began researching the costs of hotels on the beach as our family has moved, and were truly blown away by the costs associated with having beachfront access. Waikiki is a pretty mellow beach in terms of movement. If you aren't planning to sit on the beach with large crowds and soak in the sun all week, and maybe rent a paddle boat, etc., you may consider staying inland so you can enjoy other beaches. We love Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and the public access points to Bellows before you reach the military instillation. You also won't want to miss the North Shore. So unless you really want to just sit in the sand on a busy beach all week, reconsider if beachfront on Waikiki is actually what you're looking for.

[CloudBee]

Oct 30, 2024 8:53:54 GMT -5 chchchia said:

Oct 30, 2024 8:17:33 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I lived in Waikiki 2 years both next and despite the reputation never once felt unsafe. There are a few clubs to avoid but they shouldn't be going to clubs anyway.

I also lived in Waikiki for about 3 1/2 years closer to the Alai Wai canal (near the zoo) and while I did not feel unsafe there, there were parts where I did feel unsafe and again having returned as an adult my view is more cautious than it was when I was younger. 

My perspective won't be the same as yours and vice versa, I was simply sharing mine. 

I personally wouldn't do more than go in/out of a restaurant on Waikiki after dark or walk that beach or the sidewalk for fun late at night. Same with the green spaces and parks along the coast, spanning from Ala Moana/Magic Island to Diamond Head. 

[tiki]

I would also ask teens to stay within the hotels or along the beach side at night. H is from Oahu and while we often park along the ala wai, he's always been clear that persons on drugs and theft are not uncommon in that area. In the tourist areas I think it's fine, just tell them not to wander into the neighborhood for no reason.

[chchchia]

Oct 30, 2024 9:16:42 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

We've always stayed with family, thankfully, but I would choose the Hilton or one of the Hyatts. I believe one of the Hyatts even has efficiency kitchens.

Food on Waikiki is very inflated, and it would be so nice to have the ability to cook your own breakfast sandwiches, etc.

Another thing to note is that if you have a rental car, all of the hotels charge for parking. Many require offsite valet. Parking as a hotel guest can be wildly expensive on Waikiki, where day parking if you stay inland a bit is much more reasonable. If you don't NEED to stay beachfront, you will save a lot of money on food and parking.

As I said above, we've been lucky to have family within walking distance of Waikiki for years. Recently we began researching the costs of hotels on the beach as our family has moved, and were truly blown away by the costs associated with having beachfront access. Waikiki is a pretty mellow beach in terms of movement. If you aren't planning to sit on the beach with large crowds and soak in the sun all week, and maybe rent a paddle boat, etc., you may consider staying inland so you can enjoy other beaches. We love Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and the public access points to Bellows before you reach the military instillation. You also won't want to miss the North Shore. So unless you really want to just sit in the sand on a busy beach all week, reconsider if beachfront on Waikiki is actually what you're looking for.

Go for the kitchens if you can then hit up a food lion and cook, that is such a money saver and good idea.  

[meganew]

Are you dead set on Waikiki? We stayed at the Hilton for two nights when we were there for a wedding and spent the rest of the time in the North Shore. Waikiki reminded me a little of Atlantic City, very very touristy, beaches were super crowded- same with the hotel. There are tons of pools but so many people that if you want to find enough chairs together you have to put towels down at like 9am. The North Shore felt like a totally different island, very relaxed, beautiful, tons of food trucks and little shops.

[shauni27]

Oct 30, 2024 9:51:04 GMT -5 meganew said:

Are you dead set on Waikiki? We stayed at the Hilton for two nights when we were there for a wedding and spent the rest of the time in the North Shore. Waikiki reminded me a little of Atlantic City, very very touristy, beaches were super crowded- same with the hotel. There are tons of pools but so many people that if you want to find enough chairs together you have to put towels down at like 9am. The North Shore felt like a totally different island, very relaxed, beautiful, tons of food trucks and little shops.

We love the north shore, too. We spent half our time there and then rented a house just outside of Waikiki right on the beach and that saved us a TON. We spent one day in Waikiki but otherwise at our own beach up the road, before heading north.

[1confused1]

Oct 30, 2024 9:51:04 GMT -5 meganew said:

Are you dead set on Waikiki? We stayed at the Hilton for two nights when we were there for a wedding and spent the rest of the time in the North Shore. Waikiki reminded me a little of Atlantic City, very very touristy, beaches were super crowded- same with the hotel. There are tons of pools but so many people that if you want to find enough chairs together you have to put towels down at like 9am. The North Shore felt like a totally different island, very relaxed, beautiful, tons of food trucks and little shops.

If it was for me, no. But for 10 boys, yes. They won’t be able to rent a car so walk ability is important.

Thank you all! We are looking at the Hilton.

[waverly]

I was just thinking you'all must be rich to have a vacation for 10 boys. I'm sure it is different families, but still that's a lot of teenagers!  We also stayed at the Hilton there.  

[redheadk]

We normally stay in Lanikai or on the north shore but we have opted for Waikiki when we are only there for 2 nights to have a quick visit with family. I like the Outrigger Reef (beachfront) but the location of the Outrigger Waikiki would be excellent for you. It’s very firmly in the touristy areas of Waikiki, close to a great part of the beach, etc, and outriggers tend to be a good price for what you get.

Plan carefully when it comes to parking. I don’t recall what we paid for parking but it was jaw dropping. We expected it and needed a car so it was fine but there are lots of rental car companies with desks at the resorts, you can rent a car just for the day to do things outside of Waikiki, you’ll just need to plan ahead and be strategic.

You really won’t find any pools better than the Hiltons, though, so it just depends on how important that part is. If it’s pools, Hilton. If it’s being able to wander away from the resort, I’d try for something closer to the Moana Surfrider/Royal Hawaiian area with strict orders to stay near the beach side.

What a fun trip for your son!

[expatjen]

I used to live in Waikiki, but now on the windward side.
For the age group and the amount of boys on the trip, the Hilton or even the Sheraton would be good. The Hilton is a bit farther down the road than the Sheraton which is more in the “center” of Waikiki.

After dark hours can be sketchy in Waikiki. I personally wouldn’t be walking around later than 10pm. BUT I’m also a middle age woman with 2 kids. 😉