Like so many others, I read review after review on this and many other properties before finally making the decision to book here. What finally became the deciding factors were the price and pictures of the refurbished rooms. With 6 of us traveling I wanted the most affordable rooms with the greatest comfort. I am pleased to say that we were extremely delighted at the results. For the most part what I have read in others reviews are pretty accurate, but I'd like to break it down.

The rooms are redone (look just like the pictures), about standard size and are clean. The beds are very comfortable with great pillows and comforters. The bathrooms only have a shower but have nice tile work and the pressure wasn't bad (I could actually get the shampoo out of my long hair) . The toilets are really loud when they flush but they do flush, so that's a good thing. There is a small safe in the closet in the bathroom and also a laundry basket (this was nice to have to put dirty clothes in it while we were there). Overall, the room was great.

There ARE stairs from the street up to the front desk, and more than just a couple but not anything overbearing even with luggage for 6 people. It is true, the elevator is in rehab (although while we were there the floor did get finished, now they just need to finish the door panel and put up the new wall paper), but definately not a reason to cross this hotel of your list of prospects. The breakfast is simple with a small varity but very tasty and fresh. The hotel is on a busy, noisey street (but we were on the 3rd floor and had absolutely no problems with noise with the windows closed), there is free WiFi in the rooms but we had trouble connecting. However it is another company that manages the internet vs. the hotel themselves so they gave us the number and we contacted them and finally got connected. The pool was small and unfortunately people had thrown numerous cigarette butts into it, but wait -the hotel next door is also part of the aqua chain and your room key allows you into their pool which is a little larger, more private (it's behind the tennis courts) and has a jacuzzi as well as and outdoor shower. We went over there (45 second walk) and were completely satisfied. As budget hotels go, this one ranks very high.

Finally, the staff was wonderful and very accomodating. We arrived our first night close to midnight after a late flight. When we got to the front desk they greeted me by name like they knew me before I even got a chance to tell them who I was. We checked out the next day because we were flying to another island but were coming back in a week. This time we arrived early before check in and they were able to get us into one of the two rooms early. We stayed the next several days here and all of the staff from the front desk (day or night staff) to the housekeeping department was incredible with a great aloha spirit. On our last day we had a late flight out so we had a late check out and then they stored our bags until it was time to leave for the airport at NO extra cost. They were simply amazing.

Couple of ending thoughts for you who haven't made up your mind, if your nit-picky, think hard about it but if you are willing to have the aloha spirit and looking just to have a good time. I wouldn't hesitate. The hotel is not close to Waikiki but you are only about a block away from The Bus line that will take you anywhere for $2.00 per adult $1.00 per student (under 17) . It's diagonal from the ILIKAI hotel and across the street from the Hawaiian Prince hotel. There are a several restraunts close by including Red Lobster, Outback, Subway, McDonalds and Rainbow Sushi. Not to meantion it only being a little over 5 minutes to walk to the 4 story Ala Moana Shopping Center just down the street with one of the best food courts I've seen. (Japanize, Korean, American, Italian, etc....) Departing note-it is as cheap to rent a limo for your airport tranportation as it is to take a taxi. $28.99+tip (total not per person) will take you and up to 5 guests to or from the Equus to the airport. The cab (minivan) is about the same price give or take a couple of bucks due to traffic. Hope this helps and Aloha!

Hotel is in a great location. The hotel staff are very friendly and personable. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. This is my fourth time staying at this hotel and would recommend.

Following an extensive family visit to Arizona and Ohio, I felt it necessary to visit Hawaii for some relaxation. I chose to go to Oahu for a change, and try a small non-resort hotel. Friends who live in Honolulu recommended the Equus Hotel on Ala Moana.
The hotel is family-owned, and is run like a bed & breakfast. Rooms are all beautifully remodeled, and include wireless internet and flat screen TV.
The staff was young and friendly, and immediately took great personal interest in my needs, and plans for the duration of my trip.
Although there is no food service on the premises, there is a plethora of fine dining and family restaurants within a few blocks
of the hotel. The original CHART HOUSE is still in its original location on Hobron Lane at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, and is stilll one of the 5 best restaurants in Hawaii.
The only drawback of this property is its location on busy Ala Moana Blvd. A little noisy, perhaps, but still a great find. At $99 a night, what's the problem?

The Aqua Equus turned out to be a decent hotel. We booked The Equus because of the photos you see on Expedia were much more "newer" and less "flowery comforters" than other hotels in the area. Needless to say, the rooms looked like the one in the photo. We ended up with a room with 2 double beds. The bathroom was recently remodeled, the carpet was new, there was a plasma TV. The first thing that I noticed when I got there was a tiny little ant in the bathroom and I just shrugged it off as a moist tropical place. The next morning, I saw a small bug crawling on my bed and was starting to get annoyed. By the second night (1a) I woke up and I got in the bed with my husband - remember we had the double, anyways, we woke back up at 4a and we found 3 bugs in his bed. We were so upset, we called the front desk and told them our concerns and requested their best room on the highest floor. We started in room 808 (the bug room) and ended up moving all of our stuff to room 907 at 4a. Needless to say room 907 was much better, we had a balcony and 1 queen size bed. Overall would I stay here again, for the price we paid YES, for the location most likely not... walking to and from mainstream Waikiki beach was exhausting after a day on the beach. It was rather convenient to Walmart/Ala Moana Mall and that is always a plus while on vacation. On a closing note, you have to carry your luggage up the steps to the front desk. For some reason they did not have an elevator that accessed the ground level. Parking was $18/night and you have to park next door at the Waikiki Marina. There was a small pool in a shaded area which presumably was probably always cold. The ice machine was in the back of the lobby and the outside patio area housed a vending machine and microwave. Daily continental breakfast was croissants and a few other fruit filled pastries, orange and guava juice and fresh coffee. Staff was friendly.