- There are many hotels choices in the touristy area of Waikiki, Oahu. For my recent stay in Hawaii, I decided to stay at the mid-range Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber.
This is actually my second stay at this hotel. I chose the hotel again for two reasons: its location and its value compared to other hotels in the area. Depending on when you book, the nightly rate tend to be anywhere in the $195-$250 per night range. For my stay, I was able to get a $199/night rate.
Location
The Holiday Inn Resort Beachcomber is located on the busy Kalakaua Ave. There is a Macys right next door, and the International Market Place – which opened in 2016 – is literally right down from the hotel too.
International Market Place
Parking
If you are parking at the hotel, you have to be aware that the hotel does not offer any self parking. It is valet parking only, at a cost of $38 per night (in and out privileges). The hotel staff is very good about this service and someone is always there to help you.
You drop off the car at the street level of the hotel. You pick up your car on the lower level of the hotel.
Check-In
Just like my previous visit, my check-in was easy and smooth, and the staff was wonderfully welcoming. I was assigned a room on the 16th room. She acknowledged my IHG membership. As a Spire member, she mentioned that I’ll get a small discount off the valet parking rate, and she proactively offered to waive the resort fee (~$20 per night) for my stay. I wasn’t expecting it, so it was a pleasant surprise!
Room and Views
The last time I stayed at this hotel, I was on a higher floor so I had a mildly better view of the Waikiki beach. Although my room is on a lower floor this time around, I still get a decent view of the beach.
Standard Room
One slight negative about the room — which wasn’t the case the last time I stayed – was that the shower pressure in the bathroom was very low. You can’t adjust it further.
View of Waikiki Beach
The International Market Place was under construction during my last visit, so it was also nice to see the finished project!
View of the promenade level of the international market place from hotel
Resort Fees
The hotel bills itself as a resort, but I personally don’t see how it is considered a “resort”. The hotel does have a pool area, but it is pretty small. The resort fee is relatively new and it includes the use of chartered Waikiki Connection trolley. I don’t use the trolley and I think the “resort fee” is an excessive fee in this case. It’s another fee to keep in mind, though resort fees are fairly common in the area.
Activities Around the Hotel
One of the things I like most about this hotel is its central location. It’s an easy stroll to a lot of places, from the food court at the Royal Hawaiian Center if you just want to grab something light to eat to the Waikiki Beach.
There is the newly opened Maui Brewing Company, the Magic of Polynesia show is held at the hotel, and there is also a collection of shopping stands right behind the hotel too.
If you want to hike Diamond Head, you should be able to get there using the trolley (I saw it on the trolley map). The last time we visited, we drove and parked there and then hiked up the trail.
Overall
The Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber is not a hotel you want to be hanging around in all day, and you probably don’t want to when you are in Hawaii anyway. However, it is a standard, mid-range, good value hotel in Waikiki. It provides a comfortable stay, a fantastic location, and a consistent guest experience. I’d give the hotel a solid 3 stars out of 5.
Would I stay at this hotel again? Given that I’ve stayed at this hotel twice now, I’m probably inclined to try out a different hotel. However, if the price is right, I wouldn’t hesitate to book this hotel again.
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In the Hawaii Trip Report Series:
- How I was Wrong About Hawaii (link)
- My Experience: Giving out Free Roses to Random Strangers (link)
- How to Request Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Tickets (link)
- My First Voluntary Denied Boarding Turned into the Best Airport Days, Ever! (link)
- Hawaiian Airline’s Plumeria Lounge in Honolulu (link)
- My Stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber (current)
- Review: Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay (Big Island) (link)
Do you know if the resort fee is waived if you’re staying on points or free night certificates? We were torn between this property and the Hyatt Place Waikiki for our upcoming trip to Aulani. We ultimately chose the Hyatt Place, but I enjoyed getting your perspective on the Holiday Inn.
I had 2 rooms and the staff waived the resort fees for me
for both rooms. (Which included a free night cert).
FWIW, I looked it up and waived resort fees is not a published benefit of IHG Spire elite (so I wouldn’t “expect” it as it is still not a guaranteed published benefit).