OHANA Waikiki East Hotel

Ohana Waikiki East opened in 1972 and the 20-story hotel has seen better days. While the curved lines and pink bougainvillea that spills from the second-floor balcony make a pleasant-enough first impression, interiors are just plain tired. The hotel’s second-floor lobby is reached via escalator and full of portraits of Hawaiian royalty, hula girls, and plush gray couches. Typically tropical touches include leafy green-patterned carpet and cascading shell chandeliers, though it's all a bit dark overall. The hotel’s glass-walled gym is also in the lobby, and seems totally out of place. Even the elevators are exhausted, with their jerky movements and peeling floor tiles during our late 2017 visit. Overall, this OHANA feels like it's squeezing every dollar out of the property and operating by the: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” business model. On the plus side, the vibe does stay relatively tranquil, even around the pool (which can often be rowdy with kids in Waikiki). The hotel attracts an international clientele of all ages including those from the United States and across Asia, including families.

This property is located in the heart of Waikiki, though it's not on the beach -- that's a five-minute walk away. This is pretty much ground zero for shopping and dining in Waikiki, and there are almost countless stores and restaurants in any direction. That also includes the International Market Place, which is just nearby. The Honolulu Zoo is a pleasant 10-minute stroll through town or a five-minute drive from OHANA. Diamond Head State Monument, a huge crater that's east of town and is a popular spot for hiking, is 10 minutes away by car. Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, the Pearl Harbor monuments, and Iolani Palace are a 15- to 30-minute drive from the hotel. La Mariana Sailing Club, the first and original tiki bar, is a 20-minute drive from OHANA. Travelers who'd like a less-packed beach as an alternative to what you'll find in Waikiki might head to Hanuama Bay, which is one of Oahu’s most gorgeous beaches and is 25 minutes away by car. It's around a 20-minute drive to Honolulu International Airport.

The rooms here are bright, and will fit the bill for travelers who don't mind trading space and style for low rates. In fact, if they had bunk beds (and less wicker furniture), the units might easily be confused for college dorm rooms. Interiors are whitewashed, but old, with lots of tropical patterns, floral carvings, and even window dressing that incorporates the ubiquitous tropical patterns found in most budget and mid-range hotels in the area. Wicker and rattan make appearances in the furniture, which includes desks, dressers, and cabinets, but the faded wall art only serves to make things look even more dated. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, small flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and coffeemakers with free coffee. Safes, irons, and ironing boards are also provided. Bathrooms feature granite counters and tucked-away stall showers, as well as standard toiletries and hairdryers. Pricier room categories include floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies (some with ocean views), sleeper sofas, and kitchenettes. Some also have king or two double beds. Wi-Fi is included in the hotel’s mandatory resort fee, and cribs are available for free. 

There aren't too many features here, though it's certainly smaller than the mega-resorts found closer to Waikiki's beachfront, so that's to be expected. The laid-back pool has a built-in hot tub and is surrounded by lots of palm trees and dated lounge chairs. The property’s three independently-owned restaurants are a tad pricey, but get mostly positive reviews. The Italian eatery -- Appetito Craft Pizza and Wine Bar -- serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers happy hour specials. Tanaka of Tokyo is a teppanyaki-style Japanese seafood and steakhouse spot. Chuck’s Cellar specializes in steak and seafood and has a salad bar. There’s also an independently-owned coffee shop connected to the hotel lobby. Bed-and-breakfast rates are available. OHANA’s small gym is located next to the lobby and has Life Fitness elliptical machines, treadmills, weight machines, and a stationary bicycle. The small business center features two computers and a printer, but there’s a fee to use them. There’s also an ATM in the lobby. A nice plus are the free Waikiki Trolley Pink Line passes for trips to Waikiki's shopping attractions. Laundry service is available and there’s an independently-owned laundromat on the hotel's ground floor. Self parking is available (for a fee). Daily newspapers and Wi-Fi are included in OHANA’s resort fee.