Summary:
Take a stroll along Waikiki beach and enjoy the warmth on your skin and the beach sand between your toes. This cute and upgraded 12th-floor city view studio is in the Ilikai Marina, an ocean front building located in the quieter side of Waikiki. The property is walking distance to a lot of shopping, places to eat and an easy ride away from nature, such as hiking, snorkeling and surfing. Enjoy both tropical and urban style living from this thoughtfully appointed and beautiful property!
The Space:
WHAT OUR GUESTS LOVE ABOUT THE SPACE
✔ Location, location, location! This property is located in a very desirable part of Waikiki, which is located on the outskirts and is known as the quieter side of Waikiki. I personally prefer this part of Waikiki and lived here when I first came to Hawaii.
✔ It's a 5min walk to the famous Waikiki Beach. And the Hilton Lagoon
✔ 10-15 min walk to Ala Moana Center, the largest outdoor mall in the world. This building is also sandwiched between two hotels which are 2-3x the cost to stay.
✔ Modern and Clean Decor with ocean vibes
✔ Bright and airy
You'll also find the many convenience of home
✔ Wifi 500mbps (Provided by Spectrum and adequate for Zoom meetings and remote work- confirmed by many of past guests)
✔ Basic cookware
✔ Full sized Fridge + Freezer
✔ Queen Bed
✔ Central AC
✔ TV
✔ Clean and simple
THINGS TO NOTE (QUIRKS)
✔ Juliet-style Lanai (Two people can stand and get some fresh air but it's not large enough to sit and lounge)
✔ The Ilikai Marina is more of a residential style building and was built around the 1970s. This particular unit is relatively upgraded and the building is well-maintained but as most buildings in Waikiki, it does not feel new. Personally, coming from Chicago, I noticed buildings in Waikiki felt older as well but I was enamored by the weather, the beach and surroundings.
✔ The building does routine AC maintenance, plumbing (water shut down) and pest control and you'll see notices in the elevator, we will try to remind you too.
✔ There's no dishwasher in this unit (kind of common in Hawaii, weird for a Chicagoan).
✔ Plumbing seems sensitive in the building. We do our best to check but I find that the drains are tricky.
✔ Noise: This unit is on the 12th floor so it's quite high from the street but it is facing Ala Moana Blvd which has traffic and alot of cars. So you may not hear noise but you may, if you're sensitive.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
✔ Ala Moana Center
✔ Hiking
✔ Snorkeling
✔ Surfing
✔ Scuba
✔ Diamond Head
THE STUDIO SPACE:
✔ Queen Size Bed
✔ Fresh & clean linens and beddings
✔ Large Dresser
✔ Sofabed (linens are issued upon request)
BATHROOM:
✔ Tub with detachable Shower Head
✔ Hairdryer
✔ Fresh and clean towels
✔ Toiletries
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
✔ Beach Towels
✔ Bath Towels
✔ Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash)
✔ Toilet paper starter
✔ Paper towel roll starter
DISCLAIMERS: *PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING*
When considering booking this unit, we want to be upfront about some things we've noticed in the Ilikai Marina, built in 1968, to ensure your expectations are set.
▪️PLUMBING: The pipes are older, which can lead to occasional drain blockages. The building sometimes shuts off water on Thursdays for maintenance—usually for 3-4 hours. We check the faucets before your stay, however if you notice slow drains, please let us know!
▪️BALCONY DOORS: While we regularly maintain and lubricate the balcony (lanai) doors, they can sometimes be a bit stiff. Replacing the wheels is a big job, and we do so as soon as we can, but you might still find the doors hard to open.
▪️PESTS: Being in a tropical location, pests like roaches are common in Hawaii. The building has quarterly treatments, and we also bring in professionals for extra care. We do our best to keep them at bay, but sometimes neighboring units can impact us. If you’re especially sensitive to bugs, we suggest considering another building altogether. Although, many vacation rentals in Waikiki face similar challenges.
If you feel uncomfortable with any of these factors, we recommend not booking this unit. We also ask that guests refrain from using these concerns as a reason to negotiate pricing. If you do choose to stay with us, we hope you’ll understand that we’d like to avoid any complaints in reviews related to these elements.
Thank you for your understanding, and we’re here to help ensure you have an enjoyable stay!
Guest Access:
When you arrive in Waikiki, you go to the building called the Ilikai Marina (not to be confused with the Ilikai Hotel across the street), the address is 1765 Ala Moana Blvd. It’s near the RED LOBSTER and the entrance is on Hobron.
There's no front desk, just two sets of elevators.
There is a common paid laundry area on the 8th floor.
You will be provided with a smart lock for entry.
This is a private accommodation and the apartment is exclusively yours for the duration of your stay, so relax, unwind, and make yourself at home!
The Neighborhood:
Waikiki is Oahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world.
Along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.
OUR TOP PICKS:
FOOD & RESTAURANTS (Near the area)
✔ The Chart House (Ilikai Marina Lobby)
✔ The Harbor Pub (Ilikai Marina Lobby)
✔ The Grove Restaurant & Bar (The Modern Honolulu Hotel)
✔ 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar (The Prince Waikiki Hotel)
✔ Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo (The Prince Waikiki Hotel)
✔ Honolulu Coffee Company (The Prince Waikiki Hotel)
✔ Red Lobster
AREA ATTRACTIONS:
✔ Ala Moana Center & Ala Moana Beach Park
✔ Enjoy nature on the trails at Kapiolani Park
✔ Explore the famous Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon
✔ Take a surfing lesson at Waikiki Beach
✔ Enjoy nature on the trails at Kapiolani Park
✔ Read the surfboard markers along Waikiki Historical Trail
Getting Around:
In Honolulu and in Waikiki you can get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-share (such as Uber | Lyft) or public transportation. Many attractions located near the space can be reached by bike or by walking.
Rental cars are in high demand, so please plan ahead in order to secure a reservation prior to arrival. Major rental companies are available inside the Honolulu Airport (HNL).
PARKING OPTIONS:
Marina Parking Garage: this garage is attached to the building and is very convenient. It is $28/day and is paid directly to the parking attendant and is separate from the booking. Prices are subject to change. Be mindful not to keep belongings and valuables in a parked car. Prices are subject to change.
Street Parking: behind the building and near the harbor. It’s $1/hr and can be a good option for shorter parking time. Not sure about overnight parking, I have experience with this pre-covid and it was fine but would be mindful not to keep belongings or valuables in the car when parked outside. Prices are subject to change.
If you are taking trips to other islands during your stay, transportation options may vary.
Other Things to Note:
We usually send a more detailed self check in instructions via email so make sure to provide it before your arrival.
No parties or unauthorized guests are allowed.
A maximum of 3 guests are allowed in the space, and the sofa bed can be used as an additional bed for the 3rd guest. If you need sofabed linens, please let us know before your arrival date.
Please remove your shoes when entering the home.
No pets are allowed in the space.
No smoking is allowed in the apartment or on the premises.
Parking is not part of the booking but there are parking options available such as:
Marina Parking Garage: this garage is attached to the building and is very convenient. It is $33/day and is paid directly to the parking attendant and is separate from the booking. Prices are subject to change. Be mindful not to keep belongings and valuables in a parked car. Prices are subject to change.
Street Parking: behind the building and near the harbor. It’s $1/hr and can be a good option for shorter parking time. Not sure about overnight parking, I have experience with this pre-covid and it was fine but would be mindful not to keep belongings or valuables in the car when parked outside. Prices are subject to change.
Due to the convenient central location of the space, some noise from the street, music, pool, or restaurant patio areas is possible from the surrounding area.
The AC units in the building are all similar and not 100% noiseless. If you're sensitive to any noise, you may want to consider other options.
Nearby is a large grocery store where you can pick up food, beach, and toiletry essentials.
During your stay, should anything become broken or damaged, please notify the host immediately so that repairs and reporting can be done in a timely manner. Unreported damages may result in a $200 fee and being reported.
In Hawaii's tropical paradise, you might encounter a bug or two in any property. It is rare for us due to our continuous proactive efforts to maintain pest-free units but it can still happen.
Interaction with Guests:
The host and co-host will be accessible for guests via phone or app should you have any questions about the apartment or the area.
