Post #699175 by PiPhiRho on Tue, Nov 12, 2013 10:53 AM

We had great fun in Waikiki. John-O's guide from a while back was good. We found the House Without a Key and I do think that was the best Mai Tai, although the Maitai Degeneres at the Royal Hawaiian was also excellent. There was also a drink called "Great Wall" that was very well crafted and delicious. We found a jazz club, Lewers Lounge, at the same hotel that served wonderful coctails and great music. We took a dinner cruise on the Ali'i Kai catamaran that was great fun. We found some smaller places serving local food inexpensively. Everything else is a chain. It's like Rodeo drive in places. Overpriced restaurants and shops that I could find anywhere in LA or New York. The hotels near the beach are luxury plus, but monstrously expensive. We stayed at a hotel near the canal that was much more affordable, but was the tiniest room I think I have ever stayed in. Not even a chair to sit in or a table to put anything on and very spotty internet access.

A Sax 5th Avenue will hardly be noticed among all of the other major department stores. The IMP was like a landmark. It was the only thing that looked different from everything else, and in the evening the trees were filled with birds, their songs blending with the sounds of the water in the fountains. the open air bars abd treehouse restaurants were a pleasnat escape from the rampant consumerism everywhere else.

I am not saying I will not return to Honolulu, but if I do I will not stay in Waikiki. I will stay outside of Waikiki and take the bus into Waikiki if I go there. Unless I win the lottery and have enough money to stay at a $400 and up a night hotel. Thw maybe I might spend a day or two at the Royal Hawaiian or the Halekulani or one of the others.