Hotel details

Living on the beach

Silver Fox Oct 12, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We were disappointed that the fitness center was closed. Service in the dining area was not the fastest and some coffee got ... poured on my wife. The room was nice, though small, we had a great view. The beach was beautiful and the location was ideal for us. Sunsets from the hotel were spectacular. The staff was most freindly.

The best of both worlds.

MAN'n'WIFE Oct 12, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This was our honeymoon trip. And the first hotel we've stayed at together. We spent five days here, before going on our ... week-long inter-island cruise, and were very satisfied. Being right on the beach is extremely convenient for swimming any time. The most awesome advantage of this hotel, we think, is its slightly remote location from Waikiki, which is the main drag for the tourists in Honolulu, it seems. Being about 7-10 minutes of leisurely-walk time east from Waikiki, the beach and the street are not even one quarter as stuffed and buzy as Waikiki. There is a huge park right on the other side of the street from the hotel, and right behind that is the beautiful Diamond Head Crater. So the environment is much quiter without any traffic noise. All you hear is accasional shouting of someone playing sports. Oh, and since we had a rental car for browsing the rest of the island, the ample free parking along side the street was VERY nice - an extinct feature in Waikiki. We had a suite on the eastern side, with a wrap-around balcony, so we had a great three-directional view of a large part of the ocean, Waikiki, and the volcano crater. The hotel itself IS an older building (i would guess it was built in the sixties prolly), but it's very well kept and has a feeling of class as well as local charm to it. The resident restaurant at the base of the hotel is one of its best features, for sure! It's called the Hau Tree, and it's basically a huge patio with tiled floors with three hau trees growing right out of the floor, and then intertwining to form a beautiful canopy over many of the tables. This patio is literally on the beach, within 70 feet of the water!Torches lit in the evening further add to the exotic and romantic setting. And the food!!! We've never eaten things that fresh or that artistically and exquisitely served before! (but then again, we're not exactly big restaurant goers, to be such adequate critics) But everything we tried always tasted very delicious, and was served so nice, we took pictures of it before we ate it! lol... It is pretty spendy though, but within reason. On average a dinner entre will cost you 5-15 dollars more than what you'd pay at say, an OliveGarden or SpaghettiFactory. Drinks are pricy too, and except coffee, are not refillable. One evening we walked to Waikiki and ate at the CheesecakeFactory and found the food to be completely dull and blaw in comparison. So we returned to the Hau Tree for the rest of our meals. Oh, and they have different local musicians or artisans come in at dinner time every few days. One thing we did NOT like is having to pay 11 dollars for a day of internet. But then I guess some hotels provide it "free", yet their room rates are easily that much higher, so its the same. Again, our biggest PRO for the place is the fact that you're not cramped by droves of other tourists. We'll easily stay here again!

Great location

Katie Sep 8, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This hotel is located right on Kaimana Beach which is separated from the main part of Waikiki by a stretch of park and is ... nestled up against Diamond Head. The location couldn't be better. Much quieter and more laid back than Waikiki but within walking distance of Waikiki and right on the beach. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and even made an airport shuttle reservation for me late at night the day before. The room I was in was very small but had a great view of Diamond Head and Kapiolani Park. I wasn't able to enjoy the lanai because of a dumpster smell but I didn't spend much time in the room anyways with the beach and a great restaurant right there!

Small but nice

Dave Jul 7, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Great Staff, very small room, but we expected it. Did get a nice view of Diamond Head. Very clean. On the quiet end of ... Waikiki, was easy in and out of town once you figured out the streets. Too far to walk for food, so definately need a car. Only issue was the louvered pocket door to the bathroom. Made privacy an issue. not sure why they used it, unless this room was designed for a single traveler (queen bed)

An OK experience for an older property..

Retired Senior Jul 5, 2009

The room was OK, but the hallway carpet was worn, and they offered an upgrade for another $50 per night. Nice fresh pineapple ... in the mini-frig for the first day. The restaurant was nice, though pricey, under the big "Hau tree". The hotel is a long walk from the main section of Waikiki. I doubt that this hotel has had any re-furbishing in a long time.

Excellent place to go on a honeymoon

the newlyweds Jun 16, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We just came back from staying here on our honeymoon and we were very happy with everything this hotel has to offer!! The ... location is great and is just far enough away from the hustle/bustle of Waikiki, but yet still close enough that you can walk to it as well! The open air restaurant is top notch and watching the sunset from your table while drinking mai tai's is priceless! The beach is very clean and you just walk right out of the hotel to enjoy it! We especially liked the location because you get all of the amenities that Waikiki has to offer and you are not nickeled and dimed to do so! We read all of the reviews and helpful hints for this hotel before we chose the hotel for our honeymoon. Trust us on this because everything that was in those reviews was true and then some! The rooms may be small, but don't let that stop you from staying here! The service is great, the rooms are very well kept and the concierge is very helpful! We will be staying here again on our next trip!!

Great value and location if you can walk

Arden Jun 13, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We loved this place. We got a bottom price rate room, which gave us a partial view from the balcony of both the ocean and ... Diamond Head. It offered a less crowded yet very nice beach. We enjoyed the quarter mile walk through the park or along the beach to the crowded main restaurants and hotel areas. Waikiki has become so overcrowded, and this allowed us to be there with some sense of refuge and peace. I would, without question, stay at this hotel if I visit Waikiki again.

Best kept secret in Waikiki

Sans souci Jun 8, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This hotel is on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. This means away from the crowds but all available in an enjoyable 15 minute ... walk. Moderate priced rooms are small but I never spent anytime in the room other than to shower and sleep. Staff is very friendly. Sans Souci beach is far less crowded than other beaches. Very good snorkeling along the Natatorium wall.

New Otani

Traveler Jun 2, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

A wonderful location near the hustle and bustle,, but quiet and on a nice beach. Wonderful restaurant. Would go back in a ... minute.

Good location

AK traveler May 26, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Staff was great, very helpful and nice. Hotel located about a 10 minute walk from the main Waikiki area through a nice park, ... which is great. No crowds, no noise. Rooms tiny, but we didn't spend much time in there anyway.

the best vacation I have ever taken

mb May 4, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

I asked if I could purchase the room and move in. ...

It is the best beach

HAWAII May 4, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

It is the best beach. ...

Very nice hotel Nothing fancy

Edward Sep 17, 2008

Would recommend to a friend!

I think for the money and the location of this hotel on the Beach. It was a great experience. Kind of hard to get to and ... the parking was not so good. Over priced Valet parking was ok. Mainly it was a nice place to stay and had some nice small stores around it. THe Park accross the street was nice too and very close to Diamoand Head and the Downtown area. I rented a car so getting around was not a problem for me . I could see problems if you do not have a car . Bus Service was availibe I think the City Bus was Two dollars a ride. THe Restaurant had a very limited menu and kinda pricy ,but not bad , food was good ,but no mama's home cooking by any means and no breakfast worth talking about. Free coffee was about the only thing this hotel gave away and it was like on a time schedule . If you don't get a cup in their time frame u did without. I never spent much time at this hotel because I was always on the go. So I was pleased to stay here and restaurants near by were good. Many places to shop and I was fortunate enough to be there during Aloha Festival .I would recommend this hotel to any one if you don't mind doing things on your own ALso the Bar was sorta mediaoaker,but nice. Price of drinks were high and no happy hour. I enjoyed my Stay in Hawaii i was there seven days . Hotel Was Good for my needs and I will go back again. . The Staff met every need that I had but i never asked for much except maybe a Map of the city.

Very friendly staff

Jeannie Jun 6, 2008

Would recommend to a friend!

The staff was very friendly. The room was a little small, for the price. The resturant food was good, but a little pricey. It ... ws nice being out of the congestion of downtown & was very quiet. The beach area was very nice.

Location, location, location!!!..

sophia Mar 28, 2008

Would recommend to a friend!

I was upgraded for free by surpise when I arrived and had an ocean view! The room was small, a bit outdated/worn and the tv ... is not in direct view. They do claim to have renovated recently, however WHERE is the question. You won't be spending too much time in it so who cares, this hotel is right smack ON the beach and it's private! The food was actually delicious and the staff was very engaging and always greeted me. Overall I would go back.

Compact and comfortable

Larisa Aug 30, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel is hard to find the first time around, but it's worth it. Though the room itself was tiny, ... the atmosphere and furnishings make it much more inviting. The view, even from a side facing balcony, is stunning, with a view of mountains to your left and the beach on your right. The room originally had two doubles, but the staff fixed that - by pushing them both together... Oh well, you only sleep there! The beds and pillows were comfortable, though, and the cleaning staff were thorough and not invasive at all. Bathroom a bit of a shock; just in keeping with the space, small and rather 'in the room' - no privacy there! A long counter was against one wall; under and in it were the safe, refrigerator, television, phone books, extra blankets - it reminded me of a boat, where every inch is put to use. Other than the squirrely roads which lead to the hotel (one way here and there), it is in a great location. There's the beach just behind it, perfect for 2 a.m. swims when you're still adjusting to the time change - and for surfing, if you do. Just up the road are Diamond Head and Sandy Beach, and in the other direction is the 'city' of Waikiki where you can always eat at Denny's!

My review of The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel

ROBERT Apr 19, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

THIS HOTEL WAS RECOMMENDED BY A FAMILY MEMBER, AND OUR SHORT STAY EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY AREA. A VERY FRIENDLY, ... HELPFUL AND KNOWLEDGABLE STAFF ADDED TO OUR OVERALL PLEASURES.