Kai Aloha Apartment Hotel

me and my friend stayed in the appartment for 3 nights. the location is fantastic. The room seemed cleaned with shower, kitchenette with dishes, fridge, balcony, telephone and two beds. However during all three nights we heard a cock singing and waking us up at 3am. The lady at the reception was extremly kind to us and gave us good recommendations how to explore the sights. As a matter of fact, there the door locker of a shower was broken and we had to invent a holder using a clip for hair. Another unpleasant discovery was find some insects and even one tony lizard inside of the appartment.

Located 1/2 block from the beach in Waikiki: Yippee! A full kitchen 1 bedroom apartment, sleeps 4 for $105 a night? What's not to love, including the $ you save not eating out every meal. OK, full disclosure at 6 am the garbage trucks from the Trump monstrosity provide a cacophonous wake-up call. Traffic noise can also intrude: but hey, you're in a big city, not on a deserted island. Bring earplugs. Telephone for a reservation. Be persistent. While there is wifi from the sundeck overlooking Fort Derussy park, this isn't a hi-tech operation, and is not staffed all hours of the day. Think apartment that rents by the night, less hotel. No pool, but with the ocean closer than in many hotel complexes, who needs one? It is scrupulously clean and charming in an old Hawaii style, if you want glitz stay elsewhere.

I stayed at this hotel unexpectedly for 5 nights after finding the Hosteling International Waikiki to be way below my expectations. Fortunately, I had a great time at the Kai Aloha. I'm amazed that there's still such an affordable option ($110/night for a 1-bedroom apartment) so close to Waikiki Beach. The proprietor was friendly and helpful (but she's not always on the premises, so call to set up an arrival time).The day I checked out, I had a ton of luggage and a 10 PM flight. I asked the proprietor if I could leave it in the office for the day. She said she had to leave early, but suggested that I could just pay for another half-day on the room. This was very helpful and probably cheaper and easier than me storing my luggage anywhere else. I really appreciated her helping me solve my problem!The apartment is extremely clean, roomy, and comfortable, with lots of closet space. Except for the kitchen being a bit small, it's no different from any apartment I would live in long-term. That said, I was able to do all my own cooking (kitchen had an electric stove, microwave, toaster, and rice cooker, though the last 3 things were hidden in the cabinet that the TV was sitting on).I would stay here again! The one problem is that the WiFi doesn't work -- it's advertised as working on the sun deck (not in the rooms), but it just doesn't work at all. I also would have liked a bathtub rather than just a shower, but that's no big deal.

I agree with all the descriptive and positive things the previous reviewer said, and a recent double-hung window replacement eliminates the one negative comment. My daughter and I have stayed there annually over Thanksgiving for about 7 years and wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. The separate bedroom with a door allows a snorer (me) to share a suite ($105/night, has kitchen) and save the cost of a separate room. The location is excellent. When I look next door at the Trump Tower and think what those people are paying for a place to lay their heads at night, I feel very lucky we found the Kai Aloha. It's my home away from home and I'm already looking forward to next year.

The Kai Aloha is a diamond in the rough, a great find in a sea of corporate blandness. I found it by accident while I was there staying at one of the well known corporate chains. I was walking down the street and saw it and said to myself.. now thats the kind of place I want to stay at. Its perfect for surfers, no elevators, just out the door and down the street you go. Its on the old side, but thats what makes it cool. Its a very homey vibe. Sure the trash trucks at the Trump Towers get there early and make alot of noise, but the Kai Aloha was there first, so they couldn't help it. Actually, you should be up and getting ready to go surf anyway, lol. After a couple of days you can just block it out, not a big deal. I've stayed there three times and I will stay there every time I go to Waikiki as long as its there. The lady who runs the place is really cool and she will remember you if you come back. She has even emailed me a couple articles on how the surf has been, just to rub it in that I missed the big swell, lol. Would the Outrigger do that? I think not. oh, and the maid is the best. She loves to talk to you if you are into it. I can't wait to go back and see her.

I generally avoid Waikiki due to the massive expense and Las Vegasization of the area. But I decided to try the Kai Aloha because I was interested in checking out Honolulu of long ago. Kai Aloha is a handful of old-school holdout hotels along Saratoga Road, along with the Breakers and one other hotel (I forget the name). They are all three stories and are dwarfed by the massive skyscrapers that now populate the Waikiki skyline.Kai Aloha is truly a mom-and-pop operation and run by a very nice lady, Ms. Chang. There is a website but no online reservation system (give them a call). And when I asked when their office opens, they said "whenever I get in, usually around 10". The manager said she would stay in the office until I arrived at the hotel, and she waited until I arrived, some 40 minutes late. The hotel itself is quite old but clean. Imagine one of those hotels Steve McGarrett (from the original series, not the new one) would apprehend the villain in. It is kind of like that. My room had a kitchenette, which was a godsend for my budget. The average meal in Waikiki must run at least $15, so preparing my own food was a big money saver. FYI there is a Foodland grocery store at Ala Moana shopping center, and the shuttle from the mall ($2 per trip) literally stops in front of the Kai Aloha.The rooms also have a private (on the 3rd floor) lanai and an open lanai for the 2nd floor rooms. It was great to sit out on the lanai in the morning, eating fresh papaya and drinking coffee from the old-style peculator on the stove. The Trump on the south side and the Breakers on the north side of the Kai Aloha somewhat blocks the view, but Fort DeRussy across the street gives you some nice greenery to look at; rare in Waikiki. And if you have a car, you can park there (I think it is $18 a night).If you are looking for glitz and polished hotel service, then head to the Trump or one of the other tower hotels in the area. But if you want a clean room, great location, save some money, and enjoy old style Aloha charm, then consider Kai Aloha.One tip if you stay here and don't want the expense and hassle of making your own meals, Wailana Coffee House is a 5 minute walk from Kai Aloha. The food is certainly coffee house-style, but inexpensive compared to anything you will find in Waikiki. And if you just want cocktails, Wailana Coffee House has a bar that serves $3.75 Mai Tais (and good ones too), compared to the $11 ones you will find at the hotel bars. Kai Aloha + Wailana Coffee House is a good combo for a budget Honolulu trip.