Appearances can be decieving

Stayed for a week in November 2003. The room was clean when we moved in, but was never cleaned when we were there. Great views, but the neighbors were scary. (Obviously down-on-their-luck weekly "guests" who looked like transvestite strippers or worse.... ) The management was harassed and not very competent. Furniture in the room was old and rickety. safety locks on door were broken, elevators were constantly breaking down, and took forever. Bed was uncomfortable but bathroom/shower was great. Kitchenette was decently supplied. If it weren't for the scary long term residents, I might stay there again.

Rate of $64 a night.

Dump, Dump, Dump

I would not recommend a stay at this hotel. It was very dated and I would say below budget accomodations. The elevator was broken when I was there. My room was very disappointing. I had to leave after one night. It is a very long walk to the beach as well but nice if you like to the western side of Waikiki. The one redeeming quality was the view of Waikiki-spectacular.

What a deal

I admit I was a pessimistic about staying here after reading the nightmare reviews about the place, i.e. drug syringes in the bed mattress, waiting 30 minutes for the elevator etc. Even more so when our reservation got screwed up. But this hotel showed me that it cares what their guests think about them. This was evident when they put us up in a nice, big 2 bedroom fully (I mean fully) furnished oceanview suite on the top floor. The view was spectacular I did not want to leave the room! We got this for only $53! The elevator was fine & the staff was friendly. The hotel did not have to do what they did; but they did and needless to say they turned my horrific expectations into a truly positive experience and I would like to say a big mahalo nui loa to the Aqua Marina Hotel!

No other hotel will do in Honolulu

Stayed at this hotel several times while en route to and from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. The rooms are immaculately clean and well kept, the view of Diamond Head spectacular from any room. You can go out the frnt door and catch a bus to any place you want to go in Honokulu. Several fabulous restaurants are nearby, including the Chart House. It's a short walk to the Ala Moana Center. I recommend it enthusiastically.

Dont bother with the Aqua

I booked my team at the Aqua Marina thinking it was a budget property near Ala Moana and was getting good value for the price. Found out after arrival that the staff seems fairly tired of the regulars, no energy left for unwitting new entrants, free breakfast that was supposedto show up didnt, dirty linen in hte bathroom, broken remote that didnt get replaced for years... need i say more? Oh, the elevator not working and a sign in the parking lot - Take all your valuables except battery and gas.

The gorgeous views were not seen thru the dirty windows on my 24th floor and the manager could care less about it.

It was one of my worst hotel experiences and glad that my teammates had the courage to be brave.

"What a dump" is RIGHT ON!

I don't expect much from a low-budget hotel, but this place can't even deliver with that low standard.

The elevator was still broken (you'd think after almost four months they would have fixed it!) and with 40 floors it was at least a 15 minute wait. The room's kitchen was filled with broken appliances.

Broken furniture was shoved in the corner of the room. There was garbage in the hallway. The safety lock on the door was broken, which would not have been a terrible thing if the hotel was not a home (and by home I mean they lived there paying on a week-to-week basis) to some shady characters.

The other reviews tell the rest--smells like smoke, the view is great (but when you can't stand to be in the room, what good is it?), and MOST important: There are so many other hotels that charge the same price in Honolulu--find them and stay there. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE.

Reasonable for price

We stayed here for one week in June 2003, 45 floors and only one working elevator means long wait. the rooms were very nice, spectaclar view of Diamond Head, and beach but that was the only good thing about this place. Outside and lobby looked run down and smelled of ciggrett smoke. Lots of riff-raff living there or hanging around. There seemed to be some kined of bum living/loafting in the pool area? About 5 blocks forom Ala Moana Shopping center and 10 to Waikiki area.

Definnetly would not satay here again.

Aqua Marina is Excellent Value

This hotel is undergoing renovation, but is fantastic value for money right now.I had a beautiful 30th floor room, with two huge picture windows providing the most magnificent views of the yacht harbor, palm-fringed Ala Moana Beach and, at night, Honolulu lit up. Sunrise was glorious. The room was immaculately clean, and the kitchennette with range and fridge useful, and the staff friendly and helpful.Elevator renovation is under way and you can wait rather longer than desired for the elevator at times. This apart the hotel is highly recommended

What a dump!

We travel quite a bit with our 4 kids. We don't have super high expectations, as we like to get out and explore whatever city we're in at the time, not sit in a hotel, admiring the nice wallpaper. So, I didn't think twice about booking at this hotel after reading the reviews, even though a couple were negative. I should have heeded their advice. This place was awful! We asked for non-smoking but this was supposedly a non-smoking room and they had nothing else to offer us. They said they couldn't keep people from smoking in their rooms, but it hadn't been remodeled in probably 30 years, so it was an accumulation of smoke that was awful. The upholstery on the coach was worn and torn, as was the bedding. The carpet was vaccuumed but filthy and smelly from too many years of use. The beach was far away, even though I had called ahead to make sure it was close enough to walk to. Yes, it's 'only' 2 blocks away, but you have to walk around a marina and a lagoon to get to an area you can swim in. We left and found a great hotel, super close to the beach for the same price. Clean, comfortable, and as cheap (an Ohana). Don't waste your money here!

A good value

we stayed at the Waikiki Parkside in March 2000. Thought I would post a comment as I don't see any others. It apparently has become an Aston hotel since then. We got a rate of $80 a night for a very clean and comfortable room with 2 queen beds; it was a little small but fine for 3 of us who were staying. Had a coffeemaker, sm. fridge, and safe. Had a small lanai with tiny ocean view beyond the Hilton. Nice location as it is very close to DeRussy park where you can get a bit of green space. Easy access to beach by the Hilton and DeRussy, just walk about 2-3 blocks. Just a few blocks' walk to good dining choices: Canoes at Ilikai buffet, Singha Thai, Keo's, and Shore Bird (which has a great well priced breakfast buffet). Well-priced, decent 24-hr restaurant in the same block. Bus stop in front of hotel. I felt it was a very good choice for the money. Not for people who want to spend their vacation in the hotel and at the pool, but for those who want a comfortable pleasant place to stay while spending most of the time out exploring.