Waikiki Monarch Hotel

The uninspired decor here is in need of some updating and the lobby includes unsightly areas being used for storage. A bar that serves pizza is a welcome addition and the Cream Pot cafe has a small outdoor garden seating area, but the rest of place has the atmosphere of a strip mall. Outside, the hotel is flanked by old apartments and parking lots that make the immediate area somewhat undesirable at night.

On an urban block at the far north end of Waikiki, the Waikiki Monarch Hotel is in close proximity to popular conference destinations at the the Hawaii Convention Center and Hilton Hawaiian Village, among others. Also within walking distance is Honolulu’s enormous Ala Moana shopping center. The equally touristy Kalakaua Avenue -- a busy stretch of shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels-- is a 10-minute stroll. Diamond Head, Ala Wai golf course, and the Honolulu Zoo are all short drives (15 minutes or less), and Honolulu International Airport just a 20- to 25-minute cab ride away.

The furnishings and carpets have seen better days here. Expect to find the TV, microwave, and coffeemaker all crowded onto the same piece of aging furniture. The small bathrooms are in need of more thorough tile cleaning, but otherwise are in good order. Housekeeping provides daily toiletries, but coffee is only supplied on the first day, and after that there’s a charge. The window air conditioners are noisy, but other than city noise on lower floors, the hotel itself is relatively quiet. Rooms on higher floors have good views of the city and mountains, but none have balconies.

Car, scooter and motorcycle rentals are located right in the lobby, but some of the rental staff barely speak English. There is a convenient guest laundry room (coin operated), massage services, and a beauty salon. The pool is surrounded by a large sundeck with grills for guest use and ample lounging space. The on-site restaurants provide some dining diversity -- Kings Pub & Pizza Parlor has a casual ambiance and pool table, while Japanese fare is available at Aloha Sushi and Choco House Japanese Restaurant. The charming Cream Pot cafe is a local favorite for breakfast.