BootsnAll Travel Community

Going to Hawaii for about three weeks in November. Most accommodations have been sorted already but we plan on spending ~4 nights on O'ahu...preferably Waikiki. Lodging costs seem to be a bit high, and for my dollar, I seek a unique experience. I would rather not be placed in a filing cabinet for doughy mid-westerners* and their screaming kids* if I'm paying premium prices.

What I'm looking for is that unique, maybe even quirky guest house or B&B. A google search yielded endless pages for "luxury accommodations" which isn't necessarily what I'm looking for.


*I know, you're from the mid-west. I wasn't talking specifically about you, and I'm sure your child is a well-behaved snowflake and you are fit, smart and sophisticated, but I'm sure you know someone who fits the description, which I used in an attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor.

Hi
So I guess what you're looking for is something private?
Try these sites, they might be of some help:
http://www.gocondohawaii.com/
http://www.alohacondos.com/
http://www.condoinhawaii.com/oahu.htm

There are many private apartments. I guess each of them would be unique.

Try craigslist.org

Click on either sublets/temporary or vacation rentals.

Ha. Sorry. You won't find 'quirky' or 'unique' in Waikiki. Or at least, not in the way that you might be thinking of. You can spend the bucks for a higher-end hotel (the Hale Kulani really is lovely), or go budget. There are a couple older, low-rise 1950's style hotels built around pools that have some character. Wish I knew their names for you, but I usually just bike past without paying attention.

Oahu is worth four days (it's my home, so I am a bit biased), and Waikiki is probably your best base. Take what fits your budget! Don't worry about the screaming kids and Midwesterners ... this isn't Disneyland! You'll probably find more Midwesterners on Kauai, Kona, and Maui. Waikiki gets lots of Japanese, and lots of Californians (think, older couples with pouting teenagers who still dress like Paris Hilton) - though our tourist base is getting more diverse each season.

Also, be aware that Hawaii rental people misuse the term Bed and Breakfast. Usually what you'll get is a vacation rental, rather than a house with a host and other travelers. True B&B's are quite rare here.