Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 86

located hotel is the children's program in the summer (Hawaiian crafts, excur-
sions, and other fun activities for kids ages 5-12). This property also has great
entertainment: The Magic of Polynesia, a show with illusionist John Hirokana, is
great for the entire family; and the king of Hawaiian entertainment, Don Ho, a
Hawaii legend for more than 40 years, though he's probably of more interest to
adults than kids.
2300 Kalakaua Ave. (at Duke's Lane), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/622-4646 or 808/922-4646. Fax 808/926-
9973. www.waikikibeachcomber.com. 495 units (shower only). $230-$280 double; from $395 suite. Extra
person $25. Children 17 and under stay free in parent's room. Cribs and rollaway beds $25. Internet rates
from $99; room/car packages from $129. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $8. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: Restaurant
(poolside coffee shop); outdoor pool; children's program (July-Aug); activities desk; car rental desk; small
shopping arcade; room service (6am-11am); coin-op laundry; laundry service; dry cleaning; Hawaiian enter-
tainment show. In room:A/C, TV, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron on request, safe.
Moderate
Ilima Hotel The Teruya brothers, former owners of Hawaii's Times Super-
market, wanted to offer comfortable accommodations that families could afford,
and they've succeeded. One of Hawaii's small, well-located condo-style hotels, the
17-story, pale pink Ilima (named for the native orange flower used in royal leis)
offers value for your money. A variety of rooms accommodate families of two to
eight. Rooms are huge, the location (near the International Market Place and the
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 2 blocks to Waikiki Beach) is great, and prices
are low. Every unit, from the studio to the three bedrooms, has a full kitchen and
a couch which folds out into a bed, making this a particularly good deal for fam-
ilies. A family of four can fit easily into the studio, but if you need more room, a
one-bedroom unit costs just 20% more. The staff, most of whom have young
children of their own, happily will give you hints on how to get the most out of
your family vacation on Oahu. In fact, the front desk has a great selection of chil-
drens' books on Hawaiian subjects (from fish to flowers) that your kids can bor-
row, and they also have a selection of PG movies (and Nintendo in every room).
445 Nohonani St. (near Ala Wai Blvd.), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/801-9366 or 808/923-1877. Fax 888/
864-5462. www.ilima.com. 99 units. $129-$175 double; $159-$209 1-bedroom (rate for 4); $230-$270 2-
bedroom (rate for 4, sleeps up to 6); $355-$375 3-bedroom (rate for 6, sleeps up to 8). Extra person $10.
Children 17 and under stay free in parent's room. Cribs and rollaway beds $10. Discounts available for sen-
iors and business travelers. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Limited free parking, $8 across the street. Bus: 19 or 20.
Amenities: Outdoor pool w/sauna; exercise room; Jacuzzi in 1-bedroom units; tour desk; coin-op laundry.
Inroom:A/C, TV, kitchen, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
DIAMOND HEAD WAIKIKI
You'll find all these hotels between Ala Wai Boulevard and the ocean, and between
Kaiulani Street (1 block east of the International Market Place) and world-famous
Diamond Head itself.
Very Expensive
Hyatt Regency Waikiki This is one of Waikiki's biggest hotels, a $100-
million project sporting two 40-story towers and covering nearly an entire city
block, just across the street from the Diamond Head end of Waikiki Beach.
Some may love the location, but others will find this behemoth too big and
impersonal—you can get lost just trying to find the registration desk.
The guest rooms are spacious and luxuriously furnished, with plenty of room
for a rollaway or a crib. A family of four with young children should have plenty
of space, but if you need more, you can get 50% off the rack rate for a connect-
ing room. My only complaint is when room rates start at $265 a night, do they
have to charge you an extra $3.25 per package of coffee for the “free coffeemaker”