New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel / Miramar

Hi, our neighbours are booking a 16 day holiday to Hawaii for the end of January. They have made a short list of hotels and have come up with 2 to suit their budget - New Otani Kaimana Beach and Miramar (we are staying at Miramar next month).

Has anyone stayed at both who knows of any positive/negative aspect which may help the decision. They are mum and dad aged 35-40 (I hope this is right) with 14 year old. Priorities for them are :

* hotel with ocean view room (budget will stretch to rate for Kaimana and Miramar ocean view rooms)

* walk to shopping malls, restaurants

* reasonable hotel pool

* quiet location - to avoid night party noise

* close enough to beach for early morning walks

* laundry to wash clothes

* easy access to tour operators

* would like to base themselves at one hotel rather than moving around

Thanks guys.

New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel / Miramar

Hi there,

We are staying at the Miramar in April and have stayed there before. In my opinion, it would definitely suit your friends.

Keep in mind, the ocean view at the Miramar is nice but it is block back from the beach so you will be able to see the ocean but its ocean FONT. Hope that makes sense.

Its SO close to shops and restaurants. Infact, probably one of THE most centrally located hotels in Waikiki for places to eat and most of the tour pick up from there and also The Bus stops out front or across the road (depending on which direction you are going in).

As for a quiet location, its in a busy area BUT if they contact the hotel and specifically request a high floor (which they would most likely get if they are booking an ocean view), then the noise should be minimal. My Mother was on the 16th floor there last year and she said she didnt encounter any street noise.

Hope that helps.

I cant comment on the other hotel because I havent seen it but I do know its nowhere near as central, especially for shops, places to eat and tour buses.

Carla

New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel / Miramar

Haven%26#39;t stayed at either.

But here is some info:

Mirimar - located almost right behind International Market place in the center of Waikiki about 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. Close to lots of shopping %26amp; restaurants.

New Otani Kamaina - Located right on the beach in what is called the ';Gold Coast'; of Waikiki. This is a group of about 4 hotels %26amp; condos at the far end of Kapiolani Park. It is about 3-4 blocks from the main section of Waikiki. Much more quiet than Mirimar. But also much farther from restaurants, shopping of the main part of Waikiki. There are some restaurants %26amp; shops in the hotels on the Gold Coast, but nothing like the main part of Waikiki.

The tour operators will pick you up at or near the Mirimar. They don%26#39;t stop at every hotel, but about one every block, so check with them where the bus/shuttle stop for the tour is. Also note that the tour stop for one company may not be exactly the same place as another tour operator.

I think they will stop at New Otani Kamaina (or near), but better to ask some of the tour companies by email before they book the hotel. They may have to walk the few blocks to be picked up.

Map of Waikiki hotels %26amp; condos:

www.waikiki.us/waikikimap.html鈥?/a>

Hi Carla and Family - and hi Dusty

Thanks for your input. This will help.

I have stayed at the Miramar, and liked it, had a great view, but, the hotel pool is pathetic. Small, and not very nice. That said, I find most hotel pools in Wakiki are not that great( except at the Hilton, lol) because most people go to the beach!

I have not stayed at the other hotel, but it is closer to the beach obviously. As for tour operaters , gosh they are EVERYWHERE so don%26#39;t worry about that. Since the other couple is young I see no problem with there walking so everything will be close enough, and the Otami is definately at the quiet end of Wakiki.

I see pros and cons to each hotel.

I do think you should read the reviews of both hotels on this site, I always find the reviews helpful, and try and get the big picture( in other words disregard one bad review, but look carefully if you see a pattern!)!!

Joan1, thanks for your helpful advice.

I stayed there Aug-Sep 2006. The room was verrrry small but it was just 2 of us. The hotels backyard sits on the beach : ) Also the view was perfect (we had ocean view). Overall the hotel was nice and clean. Friendly staff. And the best part of it all...it was quiet all the time. Same for the beach : ) I say this because it was very crowded just 10 min up the road. The things we found not working 4 us were the following:

1. Hotel food was a bit expensive and there r NO restaurants/malls close by.(at least a 15-20min walk 2 the main strip)

2. If u don%26#39;t rent a car..cabs can only go one way down the street and by the time u get around 2 the main street u owe $10 already

Good Luck..

I have been researching hotels in Waikiki for an upcoming visit. If I remember correctly, the New Otani does not have a pool. It is definitely in a quieter area, but there are not many choices for dining nearby.