STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

txgal · BCBG

Honolulu Hotels

bumblebee · Coach

i've stayed at the hilton hawaiian village. i liked it. it really is a village--it's huge. it's also right on the sand, has a nice pool area, and is close enough to walk to just about anything (excapt the ala moana center, that's a little further down the road).

if price is no object, the halekalani is beautiful. just a few buildings down the beach from the hilton. it's more traditional and less crowded, and where well-to-do japanese and hawaiian locals stay in waikiki.

Liz · Kenneth Cole

Hey there! Thought I could help since I live in Honolulu! The Kahala Mandarin is a really nice hotel, it's where a lot of celebs stay at when they're down here (Jlo, Ben Affleck, some of the cast of Lost). The only bummer is that it's located kinda far from downtown.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village isn't as swanky, but it's nice. It's also located more in the center of Waikiki and is closer to most bars, clubs, and shopping centers.

Also, to add on to what Bumblebee said, the Halekulani is a really nice hotel as well. It's more upscale than the Hilton and doesn't have as much as a touristy vibe. They also have excellent restaurants but they're quite $$$.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them for you!

bumblebee · Coach

this is making me want to book a trip--i have the hawaii itch bad right now. if anyone sees any cheap last-minute deals from LAX, will you please post them. thanks.

txgal · BCBG

Thanks for the advise! We've decided to go with an upgraded room at HHV. Since it is the first time for 2 of the 3 of us to go we figured we would do the semi-touristy thing so that we could see as much as possible. It will just give me an excuse to go back and stay at the some of the swankier places!!

bumblebee · Coach

good for you! i think it's a good choice, because you will be able to walk to lots of things, and the hilton is great. have a great trip!

PS--there's a cool brunch at a place called the shorebird (i think that's right, liz?), a few hotels down from the hilton on the beach in another high rise hotel. it's also fun to walk down that way along the water because when the tide comes in the path disappears, and then it comes back again.

kealoha · Kate Spade

Glad you decided on HHV. It's w/in walking distance of Ala Moana where you can do quite a bit of shopping.

If you get a chance, have brunch @ the Kahala. Not sure when you're visiting, but effective March 1st, it won't be a Mandarin Oriental property any longer. I don't know how it'll affect their service, but I doubt that they'd change that much by the time you overnight.

Check out the W Honolulu on a Friday night & the Wave just about any other night. As for touristy stuff, lots to choose from, but just a matter of what you're interested in.

Have fun!

travelgirl · Kate Spade

I have stayed at the HHV and it is nice. Tons of stuff to do there! I would try to ask for a renovated room though. The place is so large it seems like they are always renovating and to be honest, the room we got was quite dated (lots of rattan furniture). The Allii (not sure if I spelled this correctly) tower is the nicest tower...have fun!