Hawaiiana Hotel - Honolulu, Hawaii - Hotel with Traditional Waikiki Hospitality

Perhaps it is not so surprising that the Hawaiiana's location on Beach Walk is one of the area's earliest developments as well as its latest. This hotel has been around since 1955, making it one of Waikiki's oldest properties, and its neighbor, The Trump Tower Hotel, scheduled to open in November 2009, is its newest. As the gateway to Waikiki, Beach Walk has always been prime real estate.

For more than half a century, the Hawaiiana Hotel has been greeting guests with "Aloha Spirit.'' That's because the mission of this 93-room hotel is to provide a "True Hawaiian'' experience to guests, and it does so with style.

The first feature guests notice upon arrival is the legendary giant Tiki called "Kukailimoku,'' which protects this gracious hotel. The landscaping reflects the lushness of Oahu's gardens. Slices of freshly cut pineapple are offered to each guest at check-in.

In contrast to newer resorts, the Hawaiiana Hotel is low-rise, comprising five building, none of which extends beyond three stories. Every unit has its own kitchenette, with a microwave oven, toaster and tableware.

Standard rooms have air conditioning, cable television, a clock radio and in-room safe, some with private balconies. Alii Deluxe Rooms have bathtubs in addition to showers, and the Kamehameha Studio comes equipped with its own Jacuzzi. All of the guest bathrooms are stocked with bath towels, face towels, hand towels, shampoo body soap, and hand soap.

There are two freshwater outdoor swimming pools for relaxation and sunning, plus barbecue grills that can be used for entertaining upon request. Every morning, complimentary fresh pineapple juice is served to guests on the sundeck and free Kona coffee is offered poolside - a very Hawaiian way to begin each day. Hawaiian entertainment is also featured beside the pool once a week.

For those who wish to enjoy Waikiki Beach, just two blocks away, the front desk has beach mats available. They can also provide free rain umbrellas for use during those brief cloudbursts that are so common on Honolulu afternoons.

Staff members are happy to point out the many facilities near at hand. The Waikiki Post Office is just across the street. For dining, French, Italian, Korean, Japanese, American, and Hawaiian cuisine are all within easy walking distance, as are the name-brand boutiques of Chanel, Gucci, and more.

Honolulu's finest public transportation - the Bus, the Waikiki Trolley and taxis - picks up at the Hawaiiana Hotel's back door, making access to local attractions easy. The hotel staff can help arrange outings to museums, the zoo or the aquarium, as well as shopping at the Royal Hawaiian Center, Ala Moana or the International Marketplace.

The Hawaiiana Hotel is located at 260 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815. There is minimal parking on site, but additional parking can be found just behind the property for a daily charge.