Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel Honolulu

Just returned from vacation (5/4 - 5/11). We stayed at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. After reading these reviews and calling them, I thought things surely MUST have changed by now!! NOT!!

The lobby is still a mess, not a single shop is open yet, and the elevators truly are a science project gone awry. Sometimes we waited 5 mins for an elevator to come to the 19th floor- only to be too packed with people to get on. If more than one person is getting out on a floor - LOOKOUT!! They are not equipped to open if you stick your arm in the door like most elevators. They close no matter what is in the door and take off to a new floor. The last day the escalator broke to take you to the lobby. So, the only option was to take the elevator in the garage (which doesn't go all the way up the tower, just to the lobby-- weird..) That one comes about every half hour. This by the way, is the only way to get into the hotel! Very frustrating

The pool area was under construction, so a plywood wall was put up right next to the pool. You can still use the pool, if you don't mind the jackhammer busting up tile on the other side of the wall. Peaceful hey? The blinking phone light/can't retrieve messages is still a problem. The internet connection,Nintendo game,music service still did not work.

I too wonder where the 30 million is going. We had an ocean view room. Nothing to write home about. The size, amenities, and new decor were of the poorest I've seen. No coffee maker, no clock radio, no free local calls, no movie channels (many of the common things you would find in $200-$300 night hotel). The maid service was mediocre at best. We could watch the maids at the Marriott wiping down the balconies and sweeping them every morning. Ours was full of sand from beach towels- it was never cleaned. We were lucky to get a new bar of soap every other day. Their inflated prices they claim you would be paying if they were completely renovated are just that - inflated. I couldn't see paying any more than $100/night for their ocean FRONT room - when finished. I would only go that high in Peak season because of the location. They are on the end of town but the beach is near. We found we were always walking 3-4 blocks down toward the Outrigger to get where we wanted to be.

I thought I negotiated a good price for an Ocean VIEW (too many views/different prices) room. We paid $550 for 7 nights. That however turned into a mess upon checkout. They wanted to charge me $140 more for the week saying I upgraded rooms!! Sorry, walked up and checked in. Didn't even have a reservation. Took over 30 mins arguing with a manager to get the price close to what I agreed to pay. I did ask about upgrading to an ocean FRONT during the week, since they were sitting completely empty. Most hotels would upgrade you for free. Nope, not these guys. They were willing to cut the $50/night upgrade to $15/night. That would gain them $45 revenue for my remaining 3 nights. Is that even worth bothering a guest for ? I refused for the principle of it. I am not a complainer. I normally take what I am given and make the best of it. But this truly was out of control. You go on vacation to get away from the headaches - Don't stay in one.

We enjoyed our stay at the Aston Waikiki Beach hotel very much! We were there May 1st thru May 5th and even though the lobby, elevators and exterior still need work the room renovations were done. Though the rooms are small they are very clean, have a great 50's hawaiian theme, very comfortable new mattresses, refrigerators and in-room safes. The staff is very polite and constantly apologize for the renovation, in fact our room was upgraded to an ocean view for $15 extra a night (well worth it). Even though there is not a restaurant yet in the hotel there are many to choose from, all walking distance. We would go back in a minute so if the renovation is keeping you from choosing this hotel don't let it stop you from one of the best deals on Oahu!

We were well aware that reno's were taking place at this hotel. We chose it because of the price and awesome location , On the beach.. beside the beautiful Kapiolani park.. Great for those early morning jogs. The lobby and pool area are under construction right now but the rooms and hallways are complete. (Pool is still open)The rooms have an updated "Hawaiian" feel about them. Clean, colorful with all the latest in room amenities. Lognet in room movies, Nintendo, Cd "jukebox", and TV internet access with free web surfing and web messaging. Great brand new furnishings, bedding and beds. Loved the pillows. The staff were friendly and helpful. People who whine that the place doesn't have food facilities are within a block of 20 other places to eat and the ABC stores are everywhere. When this place is completed in the fall it will be "Astons shining star" in Waikiki. Can't wait to return when it's done. It's the best location ..for your dollar..with great ocean or diamond head views from every room. A&J Vancouver BC

On arriving the first thing you're greeted with is empty shops and the lobby would look deserted if it weren't for the parking valets.

After 3 days were informed we could no longer park our own car, valet service is available for an additional $3 each time you park your car.

The next day waited 1 hour to have our rental car retrieved from an "off-site lot". The only information given during the wait was they couldn't find it.

If you press the flashing button on the room's phone to check your voicemail nothing happens. So the light just continues to remind you that someone tried to reach you.

There is no dining service available and they offer no option other than to go around the corner to Denny's.

There is a keyboard for webTV and a Nintendo controller, but they don't work. There is very basic cable TV service, the movie channel informs you that movie service is not available yet.

The staff is not accomodating - when calling the front desk to complain, were told "You'd be paying a lot more if this hotel was fully functional" - How should we know that when we bought a package that didn't mention the hotel was under construction (Carlson Wagon-lit)?

IT'S SO OBVIOUS THEY AREN'T READY TO ACCOMODATE GUESTS!!!

We stayed at the Aston Waikiki Beach 2/8-2/16,2002. The hotel is in a bit of a state right now, due to the 30 million dollar renovation in progress. I'm quite curious as to where the money is going.

The lobby is in a total state of chaos, all common areas are either closed or tired, and the "new" rooms are okay, but nothing fantastic. The elevators are a science project gone awry, the pool seemed clean enough, but was too cold to swim in. The parking situation is very questionable.On a couple of occasions, we were forced to park in a dismal underground employee parking area.

We booked an ocean view room with breakfast option. The view was rockin', with a newly renovated balcony overlooking waikiki beach. The breakfast should be avoided at all costs. They have no cafe' in operation at the hotel, so you're sent six blocks away to a joint called "Perry's Smorgy". Yikes. Bad foodservice buffet. Tasteless food, cheap silverware, lots of low-budget tourists and cigarette ashes in the pinapple. When we complained to the front desk, we were given a free parking pass and allowed to keep our Perry's coupons. (yay.)

To the credit of the hotel, the staff was very friendly, helpful and took care of our problems promptly.

For the money, it was worth about what we paid. ($77.00 a night for ocean view.)

Would i stay there again? Probably not.

We still had a great time, but it wasn't because of the lodging.

Yes, it's true, they are going through a $30M renovation at the hotel, yes, the hotel is located off the beach but the rooms are in terrible condition. I flew into Oahu on 2/13/02, the carpets were worn out, the walls had holes in them, the bathroom was filthy and dirty. After complaining to the manager on duty, we were upgraded to the " newly" renovated rooms for free. These rooms were just as bad as the rooms in the Makua Tower. I booked this package for 3 couples, based on the "reduced rates" for ongoing renovations. My suggestions are to stay away from the salesman pitch, this hotel is really terrible. We ended up getting a free upgrade to a hotel called Aston Waikiki Banyon, about a block from the beach. We all received a 1 bedroom condiminium, which included a fridge and kitchen and a partial view of the ocean from the room lanai (balcony).

We enjoyed our stay at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel very much. Even though our original room was in the Mauka Tower (Waikiki's version of the Motel 6 except they don't keep the light on for you!), our upgrade to a partial ocean view room for 20 bucks more a night was well worth the price. The location is great, and the view from your semi-private lanai is outstanding. Ask for a room on the upper floors to get away from the street noise, and enjoy the antics of the guests on their balconies at the Marriot across the street. The staff was great; from the front desk personnel to the maintenance guys and housekeepers. When the renovation is done, this place should be a great place to visit (although probably much more expensive), so enjoy it now while prices are reasonable.

Our stay next to Waikiki beach was really nice with the close proximity to the water. The room was small but adequate we didn't spend much time there. My finance and I felt uncomfortable going back to the room at night because of the traffic of the clientele at the gay bar located on the second floor. Other then that it was a economical.

We stayed at the hotel Dec 19-25 and had a wonderful time! The hotel is convenient to shops and restaurants and all the different busses stop right outside the door. The service at the desk was outstanding the day we checked in and the day we checked out, AND anytime we needed something they insisted on bringing it up to the room. The ocean view can't be beat and we hope to stay there again our next trip!!

This hotel is probably the best you'll find right on the beach with an ocean view. Sure, you are surrounded by the Hyatt, Marriott, etc, but we only paid $480 for a week which included breakfast at Denny's every day!

Ok, now the downside . . .

The hallways are in miserable condition. Rugs don't match, walls are stained, and the elevators are QUITE moody. Don't worry, you'll figure out their mystique rather quickly.