Hotels in Hawaii - recommendations?

[GomiGirl]

Any recommendations for hotels in Wakiki? Travelling there next month with hubbilicious and gomi-baby so needs to be convenient location etc.

Will be on the main island for about 3 days so what sort of things should we plan to do? Rent a car and drive around? Can baby seats be rented or should we take one with us?

We are eventually going to Lanai island for a wedding so thought we would stop into Wakiki on the way just to have a look.

[omae mona]

I haven't been to Hawaii in ages so I am useless for local travel advice. But all U.S. major car rental chains have baby seats available, usually at reasonable rates. But make sure to reserve in advance, or it might not be available.

Do not forget to sign up for ESTA and pay the new $42 extortion fee ($14 x 3 people). Otherwise they will not be letting you in at immigration, as you Australians are considered officially sketchy by the U.S. government now.

[canman]

Stayed at the Waikiki Parc Hotel last year. A boutique hotel, but very nice, great service, and very close to everything, but still nice and quiet. The Wednesday wine event in the lobby is quiet nice.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Only time I went to Waikiki, I stayed in a serviced apartment, but to call it "serviced" was a gross exaggeration. The staff were terrible so I can't recommend it, but all of the hotels along the beach seemed nice and I'm pretty sure travel agents here can give you a good deal.
Despite the awful apartments, everywhere else we went was fantastic and my kids were still only infants then and it was really baby-friendly, including the rent-a-car place.

Do not forget to sign up for ESTA and pay the new $42 extortion fee ($14 x 3 people). Otherwise they will not be letting you in at immigration, as you Australians are considered officially sketchy by the U.S. government now.

Sheesh...what a disgraceful way to treat the only nation to have been war-mongering enough to have fought alongside the United States in every single one of its numerous wars throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Thanks buddies!

[Sarutaro]

If you don't mind a 2-minute walk to the beach, this place is pretty reasonable http://www.astonhotels.com/aston/propertyOverview.do?propertyGroupId=45465
Their rooftop pool is good for children.

[GomiGirl]

I actually booked the Aston Wakiki hotel.

Now just have to figure out transfers and car rental.

Any good outlet malls on Oahu? It has been about 15 years since I was in Hawaii.

[hakosukajd]

Wish I'd seen this before. I have elite status with Hyatt and a number of suite upgrades that I won't use (I typically get upgraded to suites free of charge anyway).

That said, the Hyatt has the friendliest and most dedicated staff of any of the Waikiki "strip" hotels that I've stayed. I've stayed at all the major hotels on the strip as I typically "live" there for 4 to 5 months of the year for work....

[hakosukajd]

Oh...and as for rental cars....I don't know what you're looking for (size wise), but I always use National. They are in the airport terminal. If you go online and sign up for Emerald Club, they let you pick your car (at a compact rate) and the selection typically includes mid and full size cars (typically Chevy Impalas, Lincoln Town Cars, etc)....

They have premium outlets over in Waipahu (Waikele I think its called) DFS is duty free with tickets/passport...that's a bit down the strip. At current Yen rates...I see most of the Japanese running up and down the strip buying up a storm.

If you want recommended food....let me know....

[nottu]

[GomiGirl]

Sorry Nottu - We are on Oahu for 3 days followed by 4 days on Lanai. Will need a car with a baby car seat and also some lessons on driving on the wrong side of the road.

[FG Lurker]

[quote="GomiGirl"]Sorry Nottu - We are on Oahu for 3 days followed by 4 days on Lanai. Will need a car with a baby car seat and also some lessons on driving on the wrong side of the road. ]
I think you mean the right side of the road.

That said, the best & simplest advice I got before starting to drive in Japan was not to worry about left or right, just have the driver make sure their side of the car is closest to the centre/middle of the road. If the driver isn't closest to the middle of the road then things are about to get mighty exciting...