Aqua Bamboo & Spa Honolulu
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2425 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States, 96815, 808-922-7777
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Travel Blogs by Travelers Who Stayed at the Aqua Bamboo & Spa Honolulu
My birthday day
On the 24th I was to celebrate the birthday in a way I always imagined it. Once in my life without cold weather... Except of course that it did not at all feel like my birthday. I was running around in a skirt at the beach and it was quite warm and I was hungry. After some walking we ended up at a cheeseburger breakfast place. And so there came the first full blown American breakfasts followed by many others, which I all brought home in the form of extra fat around my body. Then we went to a ...
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States barbiegood
Oahu North Shore Triumph
On the 25th we decided to go up North to the surfers paradise. We have stopped at multiple beaches and we saw Haleiwa, which was really the city I could imagine a real Hawaiian city should be. All small wooden houses with surf shops and eateries. First we went to a short walk to the Waimea Arboretum up til the falls. Or the one and only fall which was not falling that much. Actually most of the falls on the islands were not falling much. There was not enough rain. But it was a cool walk among...
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States barbiegood
Leeward side and Windward side
On the 26th we tried Kaena Point from the Leeward side. First we have found a great cave right next to the road, which is a very important one. That is where humankind was born emerging from the womb of the Earth Goddess. Now considering that, there was hardly any sign telling that hey, here we are coming from, let alone other tourists or anybody for that matter. We just walked in, water was dripping on us and took a couple of pictures and realized that we cannot go further, although seemingl...
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States barbiegood
Arriving to Honolulu
We have arrived on the 23rd evening to Honolulu. I was tired beyond everything from the trip to LA the day before. But I got lei at the airport by some guy waiting for H and that put a smile on my face. It was from real flowers and the air was humid and mild. And no, not everybody gets the flower chain around their neck. Actually, most don't get a thing. It was yet another urban legend known from American movies. The airport only had roofs, but no walls. The first rental car was a yellow Jeep...
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States barbiegood
Historical Traveler Reviews of Aqua Bamboo & Spa Honolulu
Insect Problems
from A TripAdvisor Member
We were looking for a budget hotel for a one-night stay/layover. Got a great website deal (49US + tax), and the pictures looked great. When we checked in, we noticed the Asian decor, and the big plasma TV. While we were waiting for service, we noticed a double line of ants trekking across the top of the door. Since it's Hawaii, we figured it was maybe due to the door opening constantly, and tried not to think much of it.
When we went to our 12th floor room, the room was 1) small, and 2) had ants as well. We killed about 12 before ringing the front desk. They responded pretty nonchalantly, which made us think we were not the first to complain. We asked to be moved to another room, and they accomodated us without any further problems. The air conditioning systems in the rooms are quite old and noisy, and the bathrooms were not very well stocked (missing shampoo, but had a bar of soap). The staff is multi-lingual, so this is a plus if you are traveling from Asia. Checking out was very easy, and there is hotel security. However, it is not someplace we would stay again. Guess you get what you pay for, no doubt.
When we went to our 12th floor room, the room was 1) small, and 2) had ants as well. We killed about 12 before ringing the front desk. They responded pretty nonchalantly, which made us think we were not the first to complain. We asked to be moved to another room, and they accomodated us without any further problems. The air conditioning systems in the rooms are quite old and noisy, and the bathrooms were not very well stocked (missing shampoo, but had a bar of soap). The staff is multi-lingual, so this is a plus if you are traveling from Asia. Checking out was very easy, and there is hotel security. However, it is not someplace we would stay again. Guess you get what you pay for, no doubt.
Nice Boutique Hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at the Aqua Bamboo two times. It's a great value for the money. The inside is much more attractive than the outside. Although the parking may be troublesome and it may be a bit noisy (depends on room location) when you leave your sliding glass doors open, it is a clean, comfortable place with a great staff! The Japanese influenced decor is beautiful! Much Aloha.
Great for the price
from GREAKLY
I stayed in Aqua Bamboo in March 23-28, 2003. For the price it's a great hotel. Make sure you have a DELUXE studio rather than regular room. It's only $10 more but it faces the pool (all regular rooms face a VERY noisy street) and you actually will get a partial sea view. The room itself was a bit old, but neither rusty, nor dirty. The neighbourhood was OK, we felt safe all the time. There was a "hookers' corner" a few hundred years away but that was the only annoyance and it didn't bother us at all. When making reservations claim that you saw their ad in "Honolulu Advertiser" - the price would be about 50% off. Also a travel agency from Hawaii (...) has specials - 5 nights for the price of 4, which makes it even a better deal. And don't pay $10 per day for parking. I was always able to find a spot within 5 minute walking distance.
Not Too Bad
from A TripAdvisor Member
I was here on Jan 7 - 12 2003. The hotel staff was wonderful. The hotel itself is descent. I had great service. The only thing wrong with this hotel is the location. Your right in the ghetto. All day there are always some kind of crazy people around especially across the street.
Excellent Value and Location
from A TripAdvisor Member
For a Wakiki vacation on a limited budget, this is great value and location. The price included a daily continental breakfast delivered to your room, free newspaper available at the front desk daily. The room was clean and had a balcony with a good view. The only negative for us was that we needed to run the air conditioner or fan at night to create a "white noise" to drown out the sounds from the street below, because we are used to sleeping with no night noise. No noise from adjacent rooms. Would we go back again? You bet we would - we had a great time. Oh, and staff were courteous and helpful.
You could do worse
from A TripAdvisor Member
This place looks much better on the internet than in reality. When I walked into this hotel, I saw a very large plasma TV behind the front desk staff -- ostensibly to make this hotel seem upscale in that they can afford such technology for their decor. I was only impressed by it until I got to my room, and would have much preferred NO tv at the front desk to 'wow' me, and have them use that money to jazz up their rooms a bit. Cheap air conditioner. Tiny rooms. The bed felt awful. It was very motel-ish.
But the first complaint I had was about parking. I called this hotel twice regarding parking, and they told me 10 dollars a day. Simple enough. But in reality, they don't really have that many spaces at the Aqua Bamboo - they borrow spaces from the hotel next door to them for the same amount. Except that you don't have a key to the hotel next door, so you have to walk up god knows how many floors to get to your car, which requires labyrinth skills to navigate through. (But do go slowly, it really is a very tight garage, you could easily hit someone if you don't use those convex mirrors). Anyway, the staff pretends like 'oops, we just ran out of parking', but this is really b.s. because my sister stayed at this same hotel just a month before I did, at which time they also 'oops, just ran out of parking'. Likely story.
The staff is friendly enough. They do have very good internet specials, so if you're all about keeping it on the cheap, I'm sure you could do worse than the Aqua Bamboo. But if I ran a hotel, I'd hate to have people talk about my hotel as "You could do worse than us."
But the first complaint I had was about parking. I called this hotel twice regarding parking, and they told me 10 dollars a day. Simple enough. But in reality, they don't really have that many spaces at the Aqua Bamboo - they borrow spaces from the hotel next door to them for the same amount. Except that you don't have a key to the hotel next door, so you have to walk up god knows how many floors to get to your car, which requires labyrinth skills to navigate through. (But do go slowly, it really is a very tight garage, you could easily hit someone if you don't use those convex mirrors). Anyway, the staff pretends like 'oops, we just ran out of parking', but this is really b.s. because my sister stayed at this same hotel just a month before I did, at which time they also 'oops, just ran out of parking'. Likely story.
The staff is friendly enough. They do have very good internet specials, so if you're all about keeping it on the cheap, I'm sure you could do worse than the Aqua Bamboo. But if I ran a hotel, I'd hate to have people talk about my hotel as "You could do worse than us."
Good value
from A TripAdvisor Member
Rejected first room assigned on the 4th floor as it was dark and worn. Upon opening curtains to gain light, we found ourselves peering into window of adjacent complex.
Check-in time was 3:00 but we had to wait another hour for another room to become available. Second room was on the street side on the 6th floor. (Seem to be short on maid service. Room wasn't serviced until late afternoon. Made my own bed and just asked for towels since service was so late. Consequently, didn't tip the maid as we usually do.)
The room was nicely furnished in a Japanese style and had a kitchen. At the rate of $55 we did not expect perfection and feel the noise facing the street was something we could tolerate. The staff was most accommodating and helpful, despite above comment about waiting for a room and maid service. Very attractive lobby.
We would stay there again but try for a higher floor facing the pool, where rooms are probably more deluxe with a larger lanai. The cheaper room had a very narrow balcony.
The location is great!
Check-in time was 3:00 but we had to wait another hour for another room to become available. Second room was on the street side on the 6th floor. (Seem to be short on maid service. Room wasn't serviced until late afternoon. Made my own bed and just asked for towels since service was so late. Consequently, didn't tip the maid as we usually do.)
The room was nicely furnished in a Japanese style and had a kitchen. At the rate of $55 we did not expect perfection and feel the noise facing the street was something we could tolerate. The staff was most accommodating and helpful, despite above comment about waiting for a room and maid service. Very attractive lobby.
We would stay there again but try for a higher floor facing the pool, where rooms are probably more deluxe with a larger lanai. The cheaper room had a very narrow balcony.
The location is great!
OK value, good service, too noisy
from dubainick
This is a pretty good value hotel for Honolulu at $79 + taxes for room with kitchenette. But a couple of issues -
the building has been rather cheaply built so walls are on the thin side and so rooms are noisy. We were at the back of the hotel but still got a lot of street noise. Noise was further added to by a low quality air conditioner (a problem in other hotels on our trip). Why can't hotels get quiet air con units - they have been around for 10 years or more!. Room finish was OK for price, but looks better on internet than real life. Kitchenette acceptable - but limited to 2 of everything. Pillows were awful - totally lumpy as a result of putting them in the washing machine. Because of the overall noise we moved to Marc Diamond Head Beach Hotel and staff were very friendly about the shift. Staff also pointed out pillows were to be replaced.
General location issue - quite a lot of hookers are about 50
metres up the road. Seemed to be the place in Honolulu for them - so either good or bad depending on your preferences. Staff said it was safe late at night, but general feel was not that when we arived late and went to the 7-11.
Conclusion - If you sleep easily with noise and you want a cheap hotel - then OK, otherwise try elsewhere.
the building has been rather cheaply built so walls are on the thin side and so rooms are noisy. We were at the back of the hotel but still got a lot of street noise. Noise was further added to by a low quality air conditioner (a problem in other hotels on our trip). Why can't hotels get quiet air con units - they have been around for 10 years or more!. Room finish was OK for price, but looks better on internet than real life. Kitchenette acceptable - but limited to 2 of everything. Pillows were awful - totally lumpy as a result of putting them in the washing machine. Because of the overall noise we moved to Marc Diamond Head Beach Hotel and staff were very friendly about the shift. Staff also pointed out pillows were to be replaced.
General location issue - quite a lot of hookers are about 50
metres up the road. Seemed to be the place in Honolulu for them - so either good or bad depending on your preferences. Staff said it was safe late at night, but general feel was not that when we arived late and went to the 7-11.
Conclusion - If you sleep easily with noise and you want a cheap hotel - then OK, otherwise try elsewhere.
A Special Place
from flexcomptom
September 14-17, 2002
I found the Aqua Bamboo to be a very adequate hotel. The room was neat, the bed was comfortable and the location was great. While not a fancy hotel, we found all of our needs were met and even exceded by the hotel and its staff. We stayed in a duluxe studio room that had a complete set of dishes and pots and pans, a two burner stove and a refrigerator. By staying in a delux room for $5 more, our lanai looked out over the pool and we could see Waikiki beach about a block away; it was a nice place to sip a cup of Kona coffee before breakfast!
I found the Aqua Bamboo to be a very adequate hotel. The room was neat, the bed was comfortable and the location was great. While not a fancy hotel, we found all of our needs were met and even exceded by the hotel and its staff. We stayed in a duluxe studio room that had a complete set of dishes and pots and pans, a two burner stove and a refrigerator. By staying in a delux room for $5 more, our lanai looked out over the pool and we could see Waikiki beach about a block away; it was a nice place to sip a cup of Kona coffee before breakfast!
Great Hotel!
from BabsSC
I just stayed at a great hotel called Aqua Bamboo. Located just about 1 1/2 blocks off the main street of Waikiki. The staff is wonderful, the ambiance is upbeat. Don't even start me on the decor. Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful. They even print a daily list of to-do's in Honolulu. The room I had was fantastic. 12th floor, had a 180 degree view. The lower floors complained of noise. It's a big city! Easy to walk to Intn'l Marketplace, beach. Would stay again in a minute! Great value!
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