Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 88

Diamond Head. The airy lobby opens onto the alfresco Hau Tree Lanai restau-
rant, a delightfully romantic but family-friendly beachfront restaurant set under
a banyan tree.
2863 Kalakaua Ave. (ocean side of the street just Diamond Head of the Waikiki Aquarium, across from Kapi-
olani Park), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/356-8264 or 808/923-1555. Fax [phone]. www.kaimana.com.
124 units. $145-$355 double; from $215 suite. Extra person $30; children 12 and under stay free in parent's
room. Cribs $10, rollaway beds $30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $12. Bus: 2 or 14. Amenities: 2 restau-
rants; beachside bar; fitness room; watersports equipment rental; concierge; activities desk; small shopping
arcade; salon; room service (7am-8:45pm); in-room massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; laundry service;
dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/VCR, dataport, some kitchenettes, minibar (on request), fridge, coffeemaker (on
request), hair dryer, iron (on request), safe.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Terrific location, just across the street from Waikiki
Beach, this 1,310-room hotel, which was completely renovated in 2002 (to the
tune of $60 million), has a lot to offer families. The 5.2-acre property has two
towers (one 33 stories, the other 25 stories). The rooms are large and can easily
handle a crib or rollaway, but if you have a couple of kids, ask for the “family”
room. Starting at $329, the family room is larger than the normal hotel room
and has four beds. The hotel also has board games at the front desk you can take
back to your rooms to entertain the little ones, and the kid-savvy concierges
offer plenty of help in deciding what to do. Plus, the location—just across the
street from Waikiki Beach—cannot be beat.
2552 Kalakaua Ave. (entrance on Ohua Ave.), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 800/367-5370 or 808/922-6611. Fax
808/921-5255. www.marriottwaikiki.com. 1,310 units. $159-$299 double; from $329 suite. Extra person $30.
Children under 18 stay free in parent's room. Cribs free, rollaway beds $30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet park-
ing $14, self-parking $10. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: 5 restaurants; 2 bars; outdoor pool w/view of Waikiki;
fitness room; brand-new elegant spa; Jacuzzi; concierge; activities desk; car rental desk; business center;
shopping arcade; salon; room service (6am-11pm); in-room massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; same-day
laundry service and dry cleaning. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Inexpensive
Royal Grove Hotel This is a great bargain for frugal travelers. You
can't miss the Royal Grove—it's bright pink. Among Waikiki's canyons of cor-
porate-owned high-rises, it's also a rarity in another way: The Royal Grove is a
small, family-owned hotel. Don't expect designer-decorated rooms or a tray full
of fancy soaps and lotions. What you get here is old-fashioned aloha in cozy
accommodations along the lines of Motel 6—basic and clean. And you can't do
better for the price—this has to be the bargain of Waikiki. You can get a room
with a double bed and a twin bed, plus a kitchenette with refrigerator and stove,
for $125 to $150—half the price of similar accommodations elsewhere. At these
rates, you won't mind that maid service is only twice a week.
The hotel is built around a courtyard pool, and the beach is just a 3-minute
walk away. All of Waikiki's attractions are within walking distance. Tip: If you
book 7 nights or more from April to November, you'll get a discount on the
already low rates.
151 Uluniu Ave. (between Prince Edward and Kuhio aves.), Honolulu, HI 96815. & 808/923-7691. Fax 808/
922-7508. www.royalgrovehotel.com. 85 units. $45 double (no A/C), $60 standard double; $75 standard
1-bedroom; $125-$150 deluxe condo. Extra person $10. Children 5 and under stay free in parent's room.
Cribs and rollaway beds $10. AE, DISC, DC, MC, V. Parking nearby $6. Bus: 19 or 20. Amenities: Pool; activ-
ities desk; coin-op laundry. In room:A/C in standard and deluxe rooms, TV, kitchen, fridge.
Waikiki Sand Villa Budget travelers, take note: This very affordable hotel is
located on the quieter side of Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Wai Canal.
The 10-story tower has medium-size rooms, most with a double bed plus a twin

Value