Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 82

Valet parking $15, self-parking at Sheraton Waikiki $10. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: 2 restaurants; landmark
bar; good-size outdoor pool; preferential tee times at various golf courses; nearby fitness room (next door at
the Sheraton Waikiki); excellent full-service spa (Abhasa), one of Waikiki's best; watersports equipment rental;
bike rental; excellent year-round children's program ($30 full day, $20 half-day); game room; multilingual
concierge desk; activities desk; car rental desk; business center; elegant shopping arcade; 24-hr. room serv-
ice; in-room massage; babysitting; 24-hr. laundry service and dry cleaning (except Sun). In room:A/C, TV, dat-
aport, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Sheraton Waikiki Occupying two 30-story towers, this is by far the
biggest of the four Sheratons on the beach. It's hard to get a bad room here: A
whopping 1,200 units have some sort of ocean view, and 650 rooms overlook
Diamond Head. Accommodations are spacious, with big lanais to take in those
magnificent views. You can easily fit a rollaway bed or a crib into the rooms, but
if you're traveling with teens, look for connecting rooms. The lobby and the
entire property are immense and filled with shops, travel desks, and people. Your
kids could get lost just walking from the Ocean Terrance (the best restaurant on
the property for kids) back to your room. Not surprisingly, this hotel hosts
numerous conventions; if you're not comfortable with crowds and convention-
eers, book elsewhere. However, size has its advantages: The Sheraton has every-
thing from a fabulous children's program (and a swimming pool just for kids) to
historical walks and cooking demonstrations for Mom and Dad. Plus, the
concierge services are great at recommending activities for families.
2255 Kalakaua Ave. (at Royal Hawaiian Ave., on the ocean side of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and
west of the Royal Hawaiian), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/325-3535 or 808/922-4422. Fax [phone].
www.sheraton.com. 1,852 units. $265-$600 Waikiki double; from $865 suite. Extra person $50. Children
under 18 stay free in parent's room. Cribs free, rollaway beds $55. Ask about Escape rates, which could save
you as much as 35%. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $15, self-parking $10. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: 4
restaurants; 3 bars; nightclub; 2 large outdoor pools, including one of the biggest and sunniest along the
Waikiki beachfront; access to Makaha Golf Club's golf and tennis facilities (about 1 hr. away); fitness center;
watersports equipment rental; bike rental; children's program w/activities ranging from catamaran sailing to
nightly movies; game room; concierge; activities desk; car rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; room
service (6am-midnight); in-room massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; same-day laundry service and dry
cleaning (except holidays). In room:A/C, TV, dataport, kitchenette, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer,
iron, safe.
Expensive
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach If you want to stay on the beach but
don't want to borrow against the kids' college funds to do it, this family-oriented
hotel could be perfect for you. Even the standard rooms in this 16-story ocean-
front hotel are large and comfortable. All guest rooms have huge closets, roomy
bathrooms, and plenty of amenities, plus a spacious lanai; the price is entirely
dependent on the view. When booking, ask if you and the kids would be more
comfortable in a suite (with separate bedroom and pullout sofa); also ask about
package deals, as sometimes you can get a suite cheaper than two connecting
rooms. At check-in, children ages 5 to 13 receive an Explorer's Backpack (with
treats inside).
2335 Kalakaua Ave. (on the ocean, between the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Sheraton Moana
Surfrider), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/OUTRIGGER or 808/923-0711. Fax [phone]. www.outrigger.
com. 530 units. $290-$530 double; from $650 suite. Extra person $30. Children 17 and under stay free in par-
ent's room. Cribs $10, rollaway beds $10. 20% discount for seniors 50 and over, 25% discount for AARP mem-
bers; free rental car when booking at rack rates; ask about other package deals. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking
$10. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: 5 restaurants; 3 bars; showroom w/nightly entertainment; giant outdoor pool;
fitness center; Jacuzzi; watersports equipment rental; year-round children's program; concierge; activities
desk; car rental desk; business center; large shopping arcade; salon; room service (7am-2pm and 5-9:45pm);
babysitting; coin-op laundry; laundry service; dry cleaning; concierge-level rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport,
some kitchenettes, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.