Pacific Marina Inn

Warehouses and car rental companies
dominate the neighborhood around the Pacific Marina Inn, which isn't even
in view of a marina. The lobby has a retro Hawaiian look matching its
motel-like exterior, with surf boards hung on the vaulted ceiling, bamboo reed
blinds, and bright tropical print furniture. Renovations in 2007 didn't modernize
the hotel as much as maintain it. The front desk looks more fortified than most
bank teller counters with its partitioning, but the atmosphere is still laid-back.

The Pacific Marina Inn is within
walking distance of Ke'Ehi Lagoon Beach Park, but little else. Downtown
Honolulu is around a 12-minute drive southeast while Waikiki is about a 15-minute
drive in the same general direction; both are easily accessed from the freeway.
Military personnel staying at the hotel may find it convenient that Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Tripler Army Medical Center are both less than a
10-minute drive from the property. Honolulu International Airport is
just a five-minute drive west, with the inn providing free 24-hour shuttle
service.

Guest rooms aren't as Hawaiian as the
lobby, but rattan fans give a little island flavor that's overshadowed by
bright tropical print bedspreads that are almost neon-hued. The rest of the
budget decor is unremarkable save for some of the U-shaped desk chairs.
Exterior entry means units have small windows with blinds drawn for privacy. With
no elevators, rooms on the upper floors require a physical effort that some may
want to avoid. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, but only some have mini-fridges
and microwaves. Suites also have sitting areas with couches as well as wet bars.
Basic bathrooms have tiled walk-in showers.

In the center inn's courtyard, the small
outdoor pool sits in view of the exterior walkways that surround it on three
sides. Tropical plants ring the perimeter with a few palm trees towering
above, providing a little ambiance for the
cramped sun deck. Scattered umbrella-covered tables can be found further
from the pool and on an outdoor patio closer to the lobby. For
dining, Lagoon Chinese Restaurant, located across the street, starts serving their colorful multi-page menu
early in the day, but guests will have to look elsewhere for standard breakfast
fare. The dive bar Canoe Hut attracts locals to
the occasional live show.