Aston Pacific Monarch - Honolulu, Hawaii - Condo-Resort with a Rooftop Pool

This high-rise condominium resort first opened in 1979. Formerly known as the ResortQuest Pacific Monarch, it features a 34-story tower with a heated pool on top, providing some of the most scenic poolside panoramas in the Waikiki area.

Extensive renovations on the resort's 216 rooms began in the fall of 2009 - a makeover that is certain to turn the Aston Pacific Monarch into a prime destination for traveling families in particular. Accommodations range from 360 to 443 square feet, many with furnished balconies. The studios offer a kitchenette, while the one-bedroom suites have a fully equipped kitchen. Suites also feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors for majestic views of the Pacific Ocean or the city.

All units come with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and high-speed Internet access (for a fee). Other room amenities, such as cable television, a clock radio, a coffee maker, daily maid service, a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, a microwave, rice cooker, safe and telephone, are standard.

The smallest Studio City View rooms feature one queen bed or two twins, along with a sofa bed in the living area. These studios can accommodate up to four persons, with rates based on single or double occupancy. The largest One-Bedroom One-Bath Ocean View Suite also offers a queen or two twins, plus a sofa bed in the living area. It can accommodate as many as five guests, with rates based upon occupancy by 1-4 persons. Cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request.

The pool on the Aston Pacific Monarch's roof is a natural gathering place for guests during daylight hours. In addition to being heated for year-round use, it is complemented by a sauna and jet-spa for additional relaxation.

Other conveniences on the premises for guests include a coin-operated laundry, a dry cleaning service, an exercise facility, and a sundry store. There is also a hospitality lounge, where guests can relax with a drink after a busy day and watch exotic tropical sea life in the resort's salt-water aquarium.

At the Activity Desk off the main lobby, arrangements can be made for golf, tennis and sightseeing or for outings to the beach to enjoy snorkeling, surfing, swimming and windsurfing. A seasonal activities program for children aged 5~12 is offered - The Keiki Kids Club - with day-long indoor and outdoor experiential opportunities, including excursions and lunch. The cost is $45 per child per day.

Shopping, restaurants and entertainment facilities are within easy walking distance from the resort. Famous Waikiki Beach is just about one block away, as are the food courts, boutiques, carts, and artisan stands of the International Marketplace. Public buses run along Kuhio Street, right in front of the entrance to the resort.

The Aston Pacific Monarch is located ten miles from Honolulu International Airport. The address is 2427 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815. For those who drive, onsite parking is available at a rate of $12 per day.