I’m sharing my honest impressions of my stay — the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.
Starting with the positives: The decor and overall vibe were great. Though the building shows its age, the rooms and lobby have been thoughtfully updated. The location is unbeatable, right in the heart of Waikiki. Free Wi-Fi and in-room essentials like coffee and tea were also appreciated.
Now for the drawbacks: Parking is valet-only and quite pricey. Since it’s managed by a third-party vendor, the hotel staff distances themselves from any issues — and unfortunately, the service during my stay left much to be desired. Street-facing rooms are extremely noisy at all hours; even with the windows shut, the sound level is intense. Earplugs are absolutely necessary if you want to sleep.
Adding to the experience was a 5 a.m. fire alarm evacuation — not the hotel’s fault, but certainly memorable. As for the staff, service was hit or miss. Some were friendly, others less so. There was little to no service recovery when my rental car keys were misplaced by the valet. It took two days, a locksmith, and several calls between the valet manager and the rental company to sort it out — very stressful. On top of that, housekeeping entered my room twice before checkout, asking when I was leaving, which felt intrusive.
In the end, I’m walking away with mixed feelings. While there were some high points, I’ll likely explore other accommodations on my next visit.