Take everything you know about Waikiki - beachfront hotels, poolside bars, international tourists galore, and high prices and throw them out of the equation - what you'll end up with is the Waikiki Ohana Hobron.

Location
The Ohana Hobron (located on Hobron Sreet, surprise, surprise) is two short blocks away from Ala Moana Boulevard, a main artery of Honolulu. Located on the eastern edge of Waikiki, it's within walking distance to the lovely Ala Moana beach park and giant upscale mall, the Convention Center and a few other less glamourous hotels in the area. It'll take you around 30 minutes to get to the heart of Waikiki by foot (International Market Place-ish). If you must go, I suggest you jump on The Bus.

The Lobby
You'll pass a modest waterfall and koi pond and find yourself at the check-in area cluttered with racks of tourist info, a portable ATM machine and rattan chairs. I like the fact that there are no doors into this place - it lends to the fact that you're in tropical funland. The feel is very eighties and very island - island eighties is the unoriginal term that comes to mind.

Check-in is efficient, knowledgeable and super friendly - the aloha spirit is everywhere from the lobby staff to housekeeping.

The Room
There are several types of rooms available - of note are the ones with kitchenettes (read one bar fridge and a stovetop, plates and silverware included). The kitchenettes are handy for stocking with finds from the local ABC store (a la 7-11) that you'll find at the corner. The idea of cooking meals may be appealing for the budget conscious, but not enough for me - I'm on vacation!

As the Ohana Hobron is a skinny, towering building, there are only six to twelve rooms per floor. To make use of the long and tall nature of the building, the rooms are L-shaped, with a small chest of drawers with a TV resting on top at the bottom part of the L. The remainder of the room is reserved for the bed/s, flimsy particle board table, and nightstands. All this fits in a space roughly 13' x 15'. It's cramped, if you add your suitcases and a few surfboards you won't see any more carpet - don't even think of trying to get a rollaway bed through the doors. The larger and more expensive suites feature full-size appliances and room.

The decor is a safe light blue/teal Hawaiian - framed island-inspired posters and floral patterns on the comforter.

As with budget hotels, everything in the Hobron is worn out. I suspect the carpets have been replaced but is already showing exhaustion. Bathroom/shower was functional but very dated - dark, peely lineoleum, and drippy.

Etc.
Each of the 600+ units has its own little noisy air conditioner - great for customizing - but not-so-great if housekeeping turns it off while you're out on a hot day.

Because of it's affordable price and zip code, this place attracts a lot of budget travelers - mostly domestic. Most of the guests we ran into were young duos from the States but all types of people (families, seniors, singletons) were represented.

Great Prices
The main attraction is the price. For $50/night you can stay in Waikiki, cheaper if you're involved with some airline package. We got kamaaina (local) rates because my friend's in-laws were visiting and the parents got the house. If you're looking for nothing but a relatively clean place to fit the bill, this is your best bet. With regular rates starting at $49 (up to $169) it's a steal. Cheaper rooms have a view of the city (as opposed to the water) and are significantly smaller. Other discounts (AAA, senior, package) are offered.

Parking
$8/Day which can be added to your bill. You can attempt street parking, although there are several hotels, apartment
buildings, and restaurants closeby. Your best bet would be to park at the Ohana - floors 4-8.

Food
The Ohana Hobron has a low brow cafeteria-style cafe/bar good for picking up a cup of coffee while heading out to go somewhere else to eat. Cafe Kapena boasts plate lunches, but do go somewhere else like Ono Hawaiian Foods (on Kapahulu) as the food here is boring and bland. Connected to the "cafe" is the Humuhumu Lounge - which is just an extension of the "cafe". Within walking distance from the Ohana are places like $tarbucks, McDonalds, Red Lobster, the Chart House and Todai - so you can remember why you left the mainland in the first place.

Other Amenities
There's an underused pool adjacent to the laundry facilities (so you can use them at the same time.) The pool is heavily chlorinated and offers a view into the ramshackle apartments next door.

There's also a little souvenir shop peddling things like postcards, muumuus, flip flops, and Tylenol. Stuff you'd find at an ABC but marked up slightly. Several feet in front of the shop is the "concierge", a woman armed with a phone book.

As the Ohana Hobron is one of many in a chain, they offer activities for kids who join the Cowabunga Kids club (like boogie boarding and crafts) but the facilities are at the Outrigger Reef - a 15 minute walk away.

Final Word
There's nothing fancy about this hotel and there's nothing really wrong with it either. There were a few things I'd change (like adding an elevator to the five they have) but no major gripes. I could stay here again and recommend it as a no-frills budget stay in Waikiki. (Nothing else.)



www.ohanahotels.com


Recommended: Yes