Oahu Visit in September

We have just booked our trip to Oahu from the 14th -18th September but we are struggling to find a reasonable price hotel as we have booked fairly late, It doesn't have to be in Waikiki as we will probably have a rental car, so don't mind staying out a bit away from the main tourist area which doesn't appeal much anyway, but most hotels charge a lot for parking plus resort charge and taxes on top! Thought about Airbnb but not many have availability, we are going to Kona after this and accommodation seems more reasonable, Any suggestions of good hotels at a reasonable rate, thanks

There is not much in the way of hotels outside of Waikiki. There are lots of small, less expensive hotels away from the beach and main drag in Waikiki. How exactly you find one I'm not sure. We stay here: http://www.breakers-hawaii.com Great location and rates, and even a tiki. Phil Roberts has a hotel he recommends on the other end of Waikiki, very inexpensive. I had a brochure for it but can't find it. Maybe he'll chime in.

TT

I think the Royal Grove may be the other one Tonga Trader is thinking of. I haven't stayed there but it gets good reviews for the price. In my experience, unfortunately, both that and the Breakers are usually full when I check.
http://www.royalgrovehotel.com/

I have heard people recommend White Sands in the past. Again I haven't stayed there myself (and this one always looked even more...'budgety' level quality). It looks like they may have availability for your dates:
http://www.whitesandshotel.com

I've stayed at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel several times and really liked it. I got great rates and booked rooms with a spectacular view of Diamond Head. (The lowest/cheapest room category isn't recommended as they're very small with no balcony.)
http://www.queenkapiolani.com/

Otherwise, yeah, looking at places that are set back from the beach will have lower rates.
Good luck!

Cheap. Back from the beach a few blocks.
http://www.ambassadorwaikiki.com/

on same street:

http://www.mailesky.com/

You're going to be on Oahu during the Aloha Festivals, which may account for some of the higher pricing. The big "block party" is on the Saturday you're there. http://www.alohafestivals.com/

I'm living in Kona now. Do check out Don's Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Kona Resort when you're here. Drinks are so-so, but decor and ocean view are awesome. Live Hawaiian music by local legends on Thursdays. http://www.royalkona.com/dining.cfm

I highly recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rentals - always seem to have the best prices: http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/

Aloha!

If you end up not renting a car and need private transportation to and from the airport I highly recommend Hawaii 23. Easy online booking with confirm via cell phone and a great price. I use them a couple of times my last trips there.
http://www.hawaii23.com/
Have fun! And be sure to catch a sunset Mai Tai at House Without a Key at the Halekulani. Not cheap but the best one you can buy on the island. Then cab it over to La Mariana for some true vintage tiki bar decor.

Cheers!
:drink:

Thanks for all your help, We Have decided to use AirBNB, and booked a cottage up near North shore as everything in Waikiki was stupid money and the main tourist area is too busy anyway, We have booked a car and can just drive back down to Waikiki if we want, Also on list is La Mariana, House without a key, Bishop Museum, Cultural center etc, We have booked the Royal Kona resort too ready for Don's and a couple of days on the other side in Hilo, Any more recommendations for Big island as we have never been before and anything else on Oahu

Aloha from the Big Island, Tikiwagon! Tiki-wise, definitely visit Pu'uohonua O Honaunau or "Place of Refuge":
https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

Volcanoes National Park is a quicker drive from the Hilo side. There is an active lava flow you can see from either a helicopter or boat tour, or if you like long/hot/punishing hikes, in person. The steam glow from the crater at night is awesome:
https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Let's see, what else? Great snorkeling abounds. Go stargazing atop Mauna Kea. Tour and taste at Kona coffee plantations. Have fresh seafood. The luau at the Royal Kona is pretty decent for the price. Great beaches along the Kohala Coast.

A lot of your fellow Brits like to visit the Captain Cook monument at Kealakekau Bay. You can do a 4-mile round trip hike there (straight down & straight up), or take a guided kayak tour or snorkel tour:
http://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/kealakekua-bay-state-historical-park/

Feel free to PM me if you want more specifics - I'm happy to help, and would love to meet up for drinks!

Thanks for your advice on everything, we have noted it all and will do what we can. We will definitely meet up for a drink while we are there, we are staying in the Kona resort for a few days, so maybe meet at Don's for a Mai Tai!

Tikiwagon, Contact Gecko at South Sea Arts.. He has a beautiful home studio with plenty of eye candy in and out around the property.. :wink:
Have An Awesome time too!!!