The following executive summary is based on a comprehensive and impartial AI analysis of guest reviews. Keep in mind that all units are individually owned, and review scores among units can vary considerably.
Travelers consistently love the Ilikai’s location and classic Waikiki vibe. Set at the quieter end of Waikiki by the marina and Hilton lagoon, it’s an easy walk to beaches, Ala Moana Center, shops, restaurants, and tour pick‑ups. Many units have sweeping ocean/marina views from large lanais—perfect for sunsets, Friday-night fireworks, and even watching surfers. Guests appreciate having full kitchens to save on meals, plus thoughtful extras like beach chairs, towels, coolers, and boogie boards. Onsite perks (two pools, coffee shop, market, restaurants including the rooftop Pesca) and generally smooth, responsive host communication round out an easy, family‑friendly stay.
The experience can vary by unit because they’re individually owned. Many condos are renovated, spotless, and well equipped; others feel dated or show wear (tired furnishings, sticky sliders/blinds, limited cookware, or deep‑cleaning needs). Common recurring themes: AC can be noisy or struggle in west‑facing units; pools are smaller and close early; elevators can be slow during busy periods; valet parking is convenient but pricey (marina/self‑parking is a popular alternative). Laundry is usually shared on each floor (not in‑unit), which some guests didn’t expect. Urban realities—traffic noise, pigeons on balconies, occasional construction next door, and rare false fire alarms—come up, and a temporary labor strike at a neighboring property made daytime noise a factor for some recent stays.
Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with many repeat guests who’d “stay again” for the views, walkability, and condo convenience over resort frills. If you’re sensitive to heat or noise, request an updated unit with solid AC and consider a higher floor or lagoon/marina exposure; confirm bed layouts, laundry setup, and parking plans in advance. Corner units with two lanais are especially popular. Expect an iconic, older building with plenty of charm and modern comforts—more “home base with a postcard view” than full‑service luxury—and you’ll likely have a great stay.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
All was excellent. Host was very responsive.
Tresia F.
January 2026
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We loved the one-bedroom condo at the Ilikai Building had been freshly remodeled and was absolutely beautiful. We had everything we needed, and the view was absolutely amazing. The staff we very friendly and very helpful with any questions we had. The Hotel is an icon, and we absolutely love staying there. It is close to everything we needed. I would highly recommend staying here, you will not regret it. Thank you for the great experience.
Cindy E.
January 2026
Location, located location. This building is a very short walk to both Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Blvd. You can walk to many restaurants, bars, etc. Very large view of beach and ocean. Unit was clean and spacious.
Jonathan S.
January 2026
Location, lovely view, we had a nice day.
Cheryl K.
January 2026
Room was great. Central location was ideal.
Jason W.
January 2026
Easy check in, great view and location, kitchen is well stocked, host is very responsive
Elena T.
January 2026
Everything was great. Thank you so much.
Terrie T.
January 2026
Excellent room and location. Beautiful ocean view and lanai. An overall great experience!
Justin P.
January 2026
Location was centralized. Unit had good accommodations. Unit could have been cleaned better prior to our stay.
Breanne M.
January 2026
This place had panoramic windows with beautiful views of the city. Communication was excellent. The location was very convenient with quick 10 minute walk to the beach. Bathrooms were spacious. Having 2 lanais was nice. It has a large beautiful table for eating. Though laundry wasn’t in the unit itself, it was convenient located down the hall for 3.50 per load. The traffic was definitely loud at night due to the location, however this should be expected since it is in downtown Honolulu. To save money, we avoided the valet 45/day valet parking and parked in the Ilikai marina parking slots behind the building and walked 5 minutes to our building. Those spots charge 1/hour. The kitchen was minimally equipped with the basics and could have used a few more towels and wash cloths since there wasn’t a washing machine in the individual unit but still giving 5 stars for the cleanliness, convenience, and communication.
Crystal C.
January 2026
Everything was great.
Jennifer A.
January 2026
Office staff was polite and helpful. Location is great. Lack of outlets, and uncomfortable pillows was my only issue.
Virgil M.
January 2026
All good!
Eric T.
January 2026
Everything was in good condition. Clean, enough room for four people. A lot of appliances to cook if you’re staying for a period of time. Easy access to get into condo. Would stay again
Gina J.
January 2026
We had a great time staying here. The views were spectacular! Our family of 7 was very comfortable.
Morena C.
January 2026
This is a studio with a solid wall division making it a really nice 1 bedroom apartment. Super clean, updated kitchen, bathroom is great, no complaints at all. The view from the balcony is more of a side view to see the ocean but it’s still a great view, even more so for Friday fireworks. Let’s face it, if your spending to much time on the balcony your not experiencing Hawaii. We used it for enjoying a cup of coffee at sunsets and a drink capping the night. The host answered all messages immediately even late at night. We grew up on Oahu, we have family on the island still, not much room in their homes, so this was a perfect place for us to spend the holidays with family and friends.
Daniel I.
December 2025
Very pleasant stay. Parking was 45/day - valet only. The valet folks were great. Unit was clean and fresh. The extra space with the 1 bedroom was very much needed with 3 adults (2 parents and an adult child). The bed is a fold out futon but it was very comfortable. The bedroom had a full sized bed - a little small but very comfy. The kitchen was upgraded with everything you need and the bathroom shower had the best water pressure (no tub). Only con is that the shower nozzle dripped continuously.
Nikki D.
December 2025
Great communication, easy access and booking
Daniel B.
December 2025
Very nice , clean, comfortable, updated apartment. Great location for walking about Waikiki. Host had excellent communication. Enjoyed the view from the balcony. Kitchen equipped with necessary tools for light cooking. My only suggestion is to add basic spices like salt & pepper. Overall I give 5 stars
Barbara P.
December 2025
Repeat stay at Ilikai. Lovely place!
Michelle J.
December 2025
![Ilikai Lagoon View]()
The location is great. Close to restaurants and shopping. Lots to do. The restaurant downstairs is great. We loved the balcony views over the city and looking out to ocean. Sunsets are amazing. Kitchen is great for a small family like ours. We didn’t do much cooking, but made coffee and breakfasts easy. Bedroom 1 with the twin beds is nice, although I'm not sure its comfortable for a couple bc the twins are separate from each other. Shower in Bedroom 1 is very nice. Bedroom 2 with the queen is comfortable as well. However, the bathroom for BR 2 was not clean: dirty washcloth, trash leftover and hair in the shower. A newer shower head would be great too. The couches are comfortable and there is a LOT of space...way better than a basic hotel. I strongly suggest replacing the rug in the living room. It's very dirty. Overall, my review of 4 out of 5 is based on things that are fixable- replace the rug, advertise twin beds instead of king, replace shower heads and get pictures of the showers when the staff claims it's clean.
Brooke D.
December 2025
![Ilikai #1937]()
Our recent stay at this VRBO property in Hawaii had some wonderful high points.First, the views are absolutely beautiful and made our trip truly memorable. Waking up to those sights every morning was a dream. The property also offered good amenities, providing everything we needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. We appreciated how upfront and communicative the owner was about it being their second home and wanting us to treat it as our own; it made the experience feel more personal.However, the major drawback was that the property was not very clean. While the overall experience was positive due to the location and amenities, the lack of cleanliness was a notable issue. It could have used more attention prior to our arrival.Overall, we had a lovely time and would recommend this property to others who prioritize amazing views and solid amenities and don't mind a few cleaning quirks. For the price point, we hope the cleaning service can be improved for future guests. We would consider staying here again if the cleanliness issue is addressed.
Cinda H.
December 2025
The view was Spot on Terrific!
Vivian
December 2025
Beautiful condo. Loved having coffee on the patio every morning. It has everything you need in kitchen to make any meal you want. Close to so many beaches and fun activities and restaurants. We used the valet at the condo, excellent service. You do have to pay separately for valet. Definitely would stay here again!
Cubanmama D.
December 2025
The view of the Friday night fireworks from our room was absolutely incredible and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The pools were nice and warm, and it was great having such easy access to both the beach and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon just a short walk from the lobby. The location is very convenient, with a quick walk to Ala Moana and the rest of Waikiki, but it still feels a little bit removed from the busiest part of the strip, which we really appreciated.Having shops and places to grab snacks and coffee right in the lobby was a big plus for our family and made everything easier. The room itself had everything we needed for a comfortable stay, including a kitchen setup, and worked perfectly as our home base while we explored Honolulu. Overall, highly recommend staying here and would definitely book the Ilikai again.
Dan S.
December 2025
Great room, spacious. Lanai has a great view. Safe was not working, property manager didn't reply when we texted them. The building is busy, sometimes a longer wait a the elevator (there are 5 elevators).
Edward L.
December 2025
Very good located and clean condo. Easy check in. Great balcony view.
Katia A.
December 2025
The condo is in a great location. We enjoyed morning coffee and evening cocktails on the balcony. The hotel property is conveniently located next to the beach and we had an excellent breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Heather L.
December 2025
We had an amazing holiday. The place was perfect. We loved the views of the ocean and fireworks. Great location and the host was fantastic to work with.
Toni T.
December 2025
Rosita was a lovely, highly responsive host! The apartment was on a corner of the building, so there were windows and balconies out two sides, including a view of the ocean. The apartment was clean, had everything we needed, and was super convenient to the beach, shopping, and plenty of restaurants. Rosita included a building parking pass for us, which was super convenient to have!
Beth M.
December 2025
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This place has a lot to offer, but be ready for small issues.
Esther G.
December 2025
Yes, very nice and professional.
April B.
December 2025
Amazing location!
Inga S.
December 2025
The home has a lovely view. We enjoyed having our morning coffee on the lanai. There were some minor issues getting wi-fi but I think that would happen anywhere in the building. The restaurant and store downstairs were great and so easy to access. No complaints! would stay here again.
Toni G.
December 2025
![Palms Waikiki 6th Floor Studio]()
There were no sheets for the let out couch!! So sleeping 6 was not accommodating. We had to get an air mattress. There were also soil stains on the let out couch mattress. There is a weird foul smell. There is no kitchenette just a microwave and tiny refrigerator. Dishes dirty and out dated. Not to mention not enough for 6 people. Having to wash everyday because not a set of 6 towels was provided. You have to provide your own toilet tissue. The carpet need some treatment.The sheets need to be replaced. There was no body-wash in the shower containers. You have to fight to wash clothes. It’s only 4 washers and dryers. The owner doesn’t communicate in a timely fashion. (unless you’re checking out) The TV has a weird that continues on the side. The remote doesn’t belong to that TV. The residents on the 4th floor have a hookah and smoke too much. The parking garage is like hell hitting those corners. The noise from construction and the air conditioning is horrible. Not mention the toilet runs nonstop. ( I could have paid the extra to stay somewhere with more amenities.
Lori
December 2025
Great communication! Great condo!
December 2025
Lay out was amazing , very nice views. Being met by the house was very nice and comforting . They were available on text and phone at anytime durning our stay. Recommend for big family’s with children the second room was a nice place for them to hang out !!
Ryan A.
December 2025
Perfect fit for the family
Shawn Y.
December 2025
There was a miscommunication with the check-in; the owners immediately took steps to make sure this wouldn’t happen to future guests. I found that very impressive! This is a WONDERFUL property. Very well equipped kitchen, great central location to shopping, restaurants and beaches. Beautiful hotel and property with a coffee shop, ice cream shop, and convenience store on the main level. Highly recommend and we will definitely be returning to this VRBO. Chris & Mary from Michigan
Mary C.
December 2025
Easy process. Great location. Close to a lot of must see and must eat places. Lots of space.
Roma N.
December 2025
all; especially the view
PAMELA W.
December 2025
Great AC, quiet location in building, well equipped kitchen. The building is a bit dated, but still nice.
Nathan L.
December 2025
Fully equipped for cooking and clean. Great location, quiet but easy walking to beaches and shopping.
Deborah T.
December 2025
![Ilikai Hotel Condos Apt 1916]()
Location is key !! We spent countless hours on the balcony during our 7 week stay. From a beautiful sunrise with Diamond head peaking out to one side to gorgeous sunsets over the lagoon and ocean right in front of us, the location of this condo is wonderful. Every Friday night, we had a great view of the Hilton fireworks as well. The Ilikai is also located in a more quiet part of Waikiki. There are bus stops right in front of the hotel to take you easily throughout Waikiki. The condo itself is spacious with a complete kitchen (minus a dishwasher) and a great bathroom shower with good water pressure. The large smart TV was great although the couch wasn't that comfortable. The bed is a large king size with a firm mattress. The Ilikai has a laundry room right down the hall and is easy to use controlled with an app on your phone. For those wanting to rent a car, there is a Hertz in the lobby of the hotel. Unfortunately, the least expensive parking is a block away at currently 35 a night. There are convenient ABC stores across the street and down the block as well as a small Food Pantry grocery store a few blocks away. In addition, Amazon delivers right to your door.The hosts are wonderful and responded to our questions right away. We are looking forward to staying here again soon and are sad to have to leave. We definitely would recommend this condo for your stay in Waikiki !!
adam d.
December 2025
Air conditioning was broken. Extremely humid and uncomfortable with out it. Fan attempted to start but compressor was not functioning.
John W.
December 2025
Our place was very comfortable and clean. Would strongly recommend
Cameron P.
December 2025
Great communication with Host. Very clean and comfortable. Very good location and lots of available places in and around Iliaki to eat and listen to music.Friday fireworks are awesome but need to go downstairs to fully see.
David H.
December 2025
Once was beautiful! Great location!
Holly P.
December 2025
Excellent in all aspects! Property was exactly as picured. Wonderful location.
Amy R.
December 2025
Yes host seem welcoming, nice location and views from balconies, only thing not liking was pillows, definitely would try staying again.
Gordon G.
December 2025