Waikiki’s Family Hotels - Ohana
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Despite the late hour of my arrival, I was greeted with a smile at the reception desk of the Ohana Waikiki West hotel, and the "island hospitality" extended to me during those first few moments continued through the extent of my visit.
The Ohana and Outrigger Hotels and Resorts' brand new tagline: "Where the fun is fundamental" was proven true as the fun started as soon as I arrived and was welcomed at check-in with an Ohana Instant Win card. Each card is a winner, with prizes from beach balls to t-shirts to free dinners. I was happy with my Ohana Hotels beach ball, with its smiling yellow face. The Ohana Waikiki West lobby was airy and bright, decorated with overstuffed island-print furniture, and, like the rest of the hotel, was clean and comfortable. I was checked-in in a timely manner, and my luggage was brought to my room by a kind hotel employee who bestowed upon me a brief education about the Waikiki Beach area, and suggested several local attractions that might be of interest to me during my visit.
My room, which was large and trade winds breezy and decorated with a simple island theme, featuring two bedrooms separated by a partition, but offering plenty of comfort. A kitchenette, a standard feature of many rooms at this hotel, was more than adequate for the meals I hoped to prepare. A four-burner range, a small refrigerator, a microwave, and a full supply of pots, pans, and everything needed to set a modest table equipped the kitchen area. The bathroom was large and featured separate rooms for showering and washing up. An especially lovely asset to the room were the two lanais, one with a lovely view of the Koolalau mountains, the other with a view of Waikiki Beach. Did you know that lanai is a Hawaiian word for "balcony?"
The Ohana Waikiki West is a 663-room high-rise hotel located just behind the International MarketPlace on Kuhio Avenue, designed so that it ensures that patrons will be well taken care of. Two information Activity Desks are located on the ground floor, staffed for most of each day; guests are able to inquire about local points of interest as well as book trips, tours, and rental cars. Book a sightseeing tour or hop on the city's award-winning bus line (www.thebus.com) on Kuhio Avenue for a fun way to explore the island. You can circumnavigate Oahu for less than US$2, with many places to hop off and back on.
The hotel pool, located on the second floor, is huge and popular, surrounded by deck chairs that invite vacationers to sit and relax after a busy day in the city. Spa services are available at Serenity Spa Hawaii at Outrigger Reef.
Grab a quick bite to eat at the pool bar or enjoy great pastries and delicious sandwiches at the Patisserie & Deli. Add a little spice to your meals at Chili's Grill & Bar, then kick up your heals with some terrific country-western music at Nashville Waikiki within the hotel.
The first order of business for me on the premier day of my Hawaii visit was a trip to find the closest grocery store. Fortunately, there was one located directly across the street from the Ohana Waikiki West that had all that I needed and it was open 24-hours daily, offering necessary items as well as postcards and island souvenirs. Although the price of a box of cereal gave me sticker-shock ($6.50!), many of the groceries were more moderately priced, and I left the store with an excellent supply of fruit juices, bread, and lunch meat, pasta and fresh fruit. That's the beauty of the Ohana Waikiki West - with a kitchenette, the hotel caters to budget-minded tourists like myself. There's also a full service pharmacy on the property.
The location of the Ohana Waikiki West is ideal -
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Laura Romano, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
About the Author
Laura Romano, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.