Our excellent experience at the Ilikai began a week or two before our arrival, when we called to ask a question. The person who answered the telephone recognized us using caller ID and greeted my husband by name. Similarly, when we checked in, the valet parking attendants, the bellhops, and the desk clerk all treated us as graciously as we had hoped they would.

Our room was exactly where and what we had reserved. It was spotlessly clean and very welcoming. Our luggage was brought up promptly. Throughout the week, hotel staff answered questions for us and helped us make arrangements. They made us feel both welcome and wanted. The parking valets brought our car promptly each and every time, gave us directions, and even laughed along with us when we returned with tales of becoming lost on Honolulu's one-way streets. One staff member directed us to our destination via cell phone as we drove there.

The hotel, itself, is a gem, even in its current state of ongoing renovations. Not only does it feature a sculpture by Wyland, cultural murals in elevator lobbies, and, of course, the famous Chinn Ho monkeypod tree, as well as a glorious view of the ocean and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Its open lobby draws in the wonderful trade winds and invites visitors to sit and stay awhile.

I cannot imagine staying anywhere else. For me, there simply is nowhere else.

We had two weeks in Waikiki last week May and first week June 2007. Our biggest problem was getting a King bed for very tall hubby and myself, plus something for our young son without paying $300 a night! We didn't realise when we booked with Hawaii Marina Vacations that they ran separately from the Illikai hotel. However we got really great service, a nice modern condo with a good view and at a great price. It also had no carpets which we requested due to dust/carpet allergy problems.

We were warned about the noise of the Hilton constructions so got a condo on the opposite side with a view to ocean and the Marina - this was great and enjoyed plenty of time on the lanai - watching the sunset, having brekky, evening drinks etc. The only time we got noise was when the fire alarms went off in the middle of th night during our second week there!!! But otherwise we were happy with noise levels and I have very very sensitive hearing.

The King bed was separated from the rest of the condo by a sliding screen which was adequate for us as our one child fell off to sleep real quick and we could either watch our ipods (tv was on side of room with sleeping child) or have drinks on the lanai, at night.

We loved being at this end of Waikiki as there are lots of great eating places nearby, easy walk to Ala Moana shopping mall which we did nearly every day, quick walk to the beach outside Hilton Village and the ABC store opposite was the cheapest of any we went to in Waikiki. We saved heaps as we ate breakfast and lunches in our condo with its full kitchen and splashed out at night. Ate at Dukes, Shorebird and Denny's on Kuhio, The Outback and Tony Roma's - all recommended for families. It was so warm our son went swimming at 9pm outside Shorebird restaurant while we sat on the beach enjoying the live music from there. Also don't go past Island's Finest burgers in Ala Moana mall - they truly are the best burgers we have eaten anywhere in the world and can't wait to go back!!!

The Illikai is very run down and that was okay until they closed the bar and restaurant on our second last day there. At least we got to enjoy the free Hula show (friday night) and have Mai Tais before the bar closed for good. We often used the service elevator while the others were being fixed. Minor inconvenience only.

Would recommend this for stays of 2 wks or more as the price truly makes up for any minor inconveniences - just make sure you get a really nice condo.

My 22nd floor room was large and nicely furnished, but construction next door was noisy and prevented me from enjoying the balcony in the morning. There is no room service, and all of the restaurants on the main floor are closed. Housekeeping is sporadic - towels are changed daily, and wastebaskets emptied, but glassware and coffee mugs were not changed or washed. There was a sign in my room stating full housekeeping service was available at an addition $35.00 per day! I was quoted one rate on the phone, but told the rate didn't exisit when I checked in. No, I would not stay there again.

We have just spent 8 days at this hotel, and couldn't have been happier. We asked for an Oceanview room with kitchen, above the 12th floor, and that is what we got. We were on the 22nd floor, and looked sideways off our balcony to the lagoon from the hotel next to us, and the Ocean. The day we arrived, we couldn't find my credit card to put the total cost on, so the receptionist offered to put the first two days onto another card we had on us. I knew I had my card, but it was in my luggage. The check in time is 3pm, but we arrived at 10.30am, and we went straight up to our room. Heaven!!!

The shuttle bus we had booked online - Holoholo - was a little slow arriving at the airport, but we contacted them, and they said they were on their way. The driver couldn't have been nicer. He was very knowledgeable about Australia, which was a surprise to us, and when we asked if we would be receiving our leis, as stated on the website, and confirmed when they rang us, (only if the supply was available though), were told that, no he didn't have any. What he did do though, was drive around to a lei stall, and buy us two leis out of his own money. Now to us, this was just a wonderful gesture from this driver. They were absolutely beautiful, and the smell from them was divine. He gave us some paper towels to mop up the water on them, so we didn't get wet from them. I'm sorry that we didn't get the drivers name to give to you, but it was only my husband and I and another lady that he picked up. Not a bus that had about 20 passengers, all needing to be dropped off before you got to your hotel.

There is construction going on, another highrise, next to the Hotel, but it never woke us up in the morning, and we were gone most of each day anyway. It was actually interesting seeing how they build something this size. If we had been on a much lower floor, it wouldn't have been quite so nice.

We had a huge room, with a kingsize bed, big bathroom, kitchen, with a stove, microwave and full sized fridge. There was also a two seater lounge, a desk, another little coffee table, and another single seater lounge with a footstool. Our towels were changed every day, and if we had to rush out in the morning and hadn't washed our breakfast dishes, they were done when we got back to our room. We did ask for a new doona/duvet, one day, and they rang through to housekeeping while we were walking away from the front desk. There was a fresh one on the bed when we returned that day.

Being at the Marina end of Waikiki was great. We were within walking distance to the Ala Moana Shopping Centre, and we actually did walk all the way to Waikiki beach and back.
I would like to thank the person who advised about parking for free at the marina as well. We had read your review before we left Australia, and found out what we needed to know, so thank you. We parked the car later in the day, and were gone by the next morning, so we were never there for 24 hours, which is the restriction.

There were two gift shops in the foyer, but one of them was closing down. It didn't worry us at all. Actually my husband bought a beautiful shirt, and so did I, at the one which is still open. Yes, maybe it is sad if you knew what the hotel looked like years ago, but there are hundreds of souvenir shops everywhere you look, so not having them there for you, just meant a little walk to find that perfect gift.

We bought our groceries on our first day at the ABC store which is to the left as you come out the entrance of the hotel. Everything we wanted for snacks, drinks, breakfast, and tea/coffee etc. There is another ABC store to the right of the entrance of the hotel, but this one is a bit smaller. It still stocked the necessities though. This one you didn't need to cross the main road for, so it was a little easier, and quicker to get to.

During my research, we discovered a Foodland store in Ala Moana Shopping Centre. We bought our meat there, and whatever else we couldn't buy at ABC. We also bought a kettle, as the coffee maker in the room didn't heat the water very well. It wasn't a problem though. We could have used the microwave if we wanted to, to heat the water. The kettle was only $8 though, so it wasn't a problem.

We read some reviews about the lifts being slow. Well, yes, sometimes they were, but other times they arrived straight away. Unless there was a fire, I couldn't see a problem with having to wait anyway. We actually got into some conversations with other guests while waiting, so we passed the time. There is a bathers elevator if you just couldn't stand and wait. Sometimes they came quickly, other times, not.

There was also a washing machine on our floor, along with a dryer, and ice machine, and drink machine all in the same room. The cost was $1.75 to wash, and $1.75 for the dryer. The soap dispensing machine wasn't working, but I had bought a bottle of detergent anyway, so it didn't worry me.

The Gym was a 24 hour access one. It had three treadmills, two bikes, and a cross trainer, (like skiing), as well as other torture machines. There was a big container with cold water, and also towels that you could use. What a way to exercise, looking out at the Ocean. There was also a shower and toilet as well.

The Pool was lovely too. You had to give them your room number before you pulled up a deckchair, which was good, as you don't want anyone walking in to use the pool. The first 15 minutes of every hour is for the Adults which I thought was a good idea, too.

The walkway to the beach was very handy as well. It took you right round the Lagoon, and then you just kept going for the beach.