Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [78]
Hostelling International–Honolulu (Map; 946-0591; www.hostelsaloha.com; 2323-A Seaview Ave; dm $20-23, r $46-52; reception 8am-noon & 4pm-midnight; ) This small, tidy house is hidden in a residential neighborhood near UH Manoa, just a short bus ride from Waikiki. Sex-segregated dorms are sunny and breezy. Some students use this as a landing pad before finding an apartment, so it’s often full. There’s a kitchen, laundry room, lockers and limited free parking.
Central Branch YMCA (Map; 941-3344; www.ymcahonolulu.org; 401 Atkinson Dr; s with/without bathroom $45/37; ) Walking distance to Waikiki, the good ol’ Y is a reliable deal, as long as you’re not fussy. Basic rooms with shared bathrooms are for men only, while infinitesimally larger rooms which come with bathrooms are available to women too. Bonus perks include the use of an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the modern, fully-equipped gym.
Pagoda Hotel (Map; 923-4511, 800-472-4632; www.pagodahotel.com; 1525 Rycroft St; r $95-169, 1br $105-185; ) This mid-20th-century survivor has terribly outdated decor but a kitschy sense of place. The no-frills Pagoda is divided into a 12-story hotel tower and a nearby apartment complex with kitchenettes. It’s mostly popular with Neighbor Islands visitors, mainly as an alternative to the hectic Waikiki scene. Surcharge applies for in-room wired high-speed internet access, and lobby and poolside wi-fi.
Ala Moana Hotel (Map; 955-4811, from Neighbor Islands 800-446-8990, from US mainland & Canada 800-367-6025; www.alamoanahotel.com; 410 Atkinson Dr; r $149-330, ste from $300; ) Looming above the Ala Moana Center, this multistory condotel near the convention center has executive-strength rooms with bland trimmings. Prices rise as you climb higher up in the tower to gain a city or ocean view. You’ll share the check-in line with airline crews and conventioneers. Free in-room wired internet; lobby wi-fi costs extra.
For overnight layovers near the airport, these places offer complimentary 24-hour airport shuttles:
Best Western Plaza Hotel (Map; 836-3636, 800-800-4683; www.bestwesternhawaii.com; 3253 N Nimitz Hwy; r $129-159; ) Top pick among airport-area hotels, though noisy rooms front the highway; parking $5.
Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel (Map; 836-0661, 866-968-8744; www.ohanahotels.com; 3401 N Nimitz Hwy; r $139-209; ) Also near the airport, with free lobby wi-fi and wired in-room high-speed internet; parking $15.
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EATING
You might sleep and play in Waikiki, but you should definitely eat in Honolulu, where a bounty of restaurants reflect the city’s multiethnic population. We’d like to think that if Hawaii wasn’t so far away from the US mainland, you’d hear a lot more buzz about this chowhound capital. During Restaurant Week Hawaii (www.restaurantweekhawaii.com), usually held in mid-November, some local restaurants offer a plethora of dining-out discounts, including prix-fixe dinners.
Downtown
Many restaurants are only open on weekdays for the lunchtime office crowd. After dark, Restaurant Row has new hot spots worth trying, despite its checkered history. The harborfront Aloha Tower Marketplace is great for sunset drinks and pupu (appetizers), but not so much for full meals.
Honolulu Café (Map; 533-1555; ground fl, Pacific Guardian Center, 741 Bishop St; mains $4-10; 7:45am-4pm Mon-Fri) In a breezy walkway through the Dillingham Building, formerly a hub for US ‘robber barons’ who once ruled Hawaii’s economy, this chef-owned café is an easy walk from the Aloha Tower. Daily specials are adventurous; creative grilled panini and entrée salads are almost always delish.
Downtown (Map; 536-5900; 1040 Richards St; mains $6-15; lunch Mon-Fri) Inside the Hawai′i State Art Museum, this arty caf