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
The views were amazing, the location was perfect, the host was accommodating with our request for early check-in. Highly recommend!!!
Kendra D.
November 2025
Clean, easy to work with and definitely fairly priced.
Phillip C.
November 2025
The location was perfect and views from the unit were absolutely stunning!We were told that after our stay the unit was going to be going through some updates which will definitely make the unit much more attractive. We enjoy our stay.
Ivonne H.
November 2025
Condo was as described and as pictured. Checkin and checkout were smooth. Cleanliness of the unit was generally up to hotel standards. Kitchen and refrigerator were very clean. Ice-maker in the freezer was a huge bonus to have in the warm climate, as was the full-size fridge for storing cold beverages. Walk-in shower was great - very good water pressure, and temperature adjustment was quick. Bed was firm, which is our preference - we actually chose this condo based on that comment from previous reviews. Note to future guests - DO NOT try to traverse the bedroom at the foot of the bed, for toe-stubbing will surely occur. We also rented the optional parking spot which was very convenient, as we had a rental car for the duration of our stay. Yes, there is less expensive parking that can be found on the street or in nearby lots, but we really appreciated the convenience and security of having a spot inside a secured garage directly below the building. Thank you Coco and Nicole for a great stay in Waikiki!
Jennifer L.
November 2025
Great stay , convenient location and great view from the room Thank you Fred for quick replies in all questions, very easy check in We enjoyed our stay in Waikiki Thanks again Fred
Tania C.
November 2025
Host had everything prepared and readily available. Clean and comfortable place to stay. I would stay there again.
Cherise F.
October 2025
Beautiful view and very close to a pretty shallow lagoon that is great for kids and just steps from the beautiful beach. Lots of shopping and restaurants close by. We did have an issue that affected our first night stay (no sheets for the single bed which had us putting a child to bed with his parents in the king bed). However, the host and cleaning staff were extremely apologetic and really went out of their way to try and correct it. I wouldn’t describe it as “luxury” as the listing states and it does not look like the professional photos on the listing but for a weekend, it was adequate for us.
Melanie P.
October 2025
Nick was wonderful to work with! The unit 824 was Fabulous and the view is Fantastic! I highly recommend nick for your vacation needs!Mahalo
John R.
October 2025
great view, close to restaurants. need to add beach chairs, umbrella
Ginger B.
October 2025
I was all perfect! I loved everything about it! The Fireworks were amazing! This was a surprise vacation for my wife. She thought this was the best VRBO ever! Thank you!
Jermaine T.
October 2025
My parents are I stayed at a two bedroom unit on the 8th floor for eight days. The place is around 1000 sq feet. The beach is right behind the hotel within 100-200 feet. There are a lot of shopping/dinning options nearby. There are a lot of bus lines serving this tourist area. Ubers and Lyfts are also very easy to get. We didn’t use the air conditioners in the unit. They are window styles, and extremely loud at night. We ended up opening the sliding doors on the balcony, which brought in a lot of fresh air while cooling the rooms down. For us, this was actually pretty comfortable. We got a full kitchen in the unit, and cooked half of the stay, which is also what we preferred. If I ever need to be back to O’ahu, this place will probably be my first choice.
Zhe Qu
October 2025
This room had everything we needed for our stay. Kitchen was well stocked. Air conditioning. Easy to walk to nearby shops
Tiffani T.
October 2025
Everything was exactly as we had pictured! It was perfect for our whole family with small children! Clean and beautiful view!!
Kellie S.
October 2025
Perfect set up for 4 people stay. Easy access to beach and shopping areas. The owner was excellent with communication. Highly recommend this place for a vacation on Oahu.
S. M.
October 2025
Loved watching fireworks from the lanai
Vivian L.
October 2025
Great to have a parking stall. Realized the beach chairs were broken and we were brought new ones really quickly which was very appreciated!
Penny M.
October 2025
The condo was mostly great and had a lot in walking distance. It was pretty clean upon arrival aside from a few little things. The kitchen dishes and silverware weren’t all super clean so they required washing beforehand. You can see fireworks from the property but not from the condo. That as a bummer. The AC is not the strongest so we had to buy an additional fan to help keep us cool. Also bo access to a luggage cart required multiple trips from the car. Parking is pricey.
Stephanie T.
October 2025
Such a wonderful room with a great view!
Christopher M.
October 2025
The property was as described. The views from the baconys were beautiful. As described in previous reviews the property is weathered and worn. When we arrived (late Sunday afternoon) the drivethru was crowded with cars and people coming and going. No one to greet or direct you. Ilikai entrance ramps were closed for upgrades, leaving only the stairs and 1 very small elevator to get to the Lobby. The only Ilikai personnel available were the Valet who were extremely busy keeping things flowing. There were 6 adults and 1 teen in our party, It was chaotic and very frustrating to get to the room. Being from Texas, we are very used to airconditioning. After the hassle getting into the hotel we found the condo extremely warm. The beauty of the West sun streaming into the condo in the late afternoon was not welcoming. 2 window units were on but could not keep. It took hours before we were comfortable. The hallway from elevator to room was very warm. For first timers to Hawaii from Texas, open air concepts are foreign. It took a couple of days to acclimate.
Jo An S.
October 2025
Property was clean and spacious and allowed us access to amenities.
Paeton R.
October 2025
Great location. Would like the pool a little warmer. See you again.
Elizabeth M.
October 2025
I cannot say enough. This property was so clean and comfortable.The affordability made it possible for us to come to Hawaii. The bed is very comfortable and the host made everything very easy. Thank you Janna this was a trip we will never forget.
Kim B.
October 2025
The apartment was as advertised in the listing and more!! The views were amazing. Christine and Mark were easy to contact if needed. Our stay was truly magical and introduced us to paradise. We hate to leave. The Ilikai is truly a wonderful place to stay and we cannot wait to come back again.
Stephen S.
October 2025
The view was amazing! Place was cute. Had to email property manager because they didnt send chwck in information. Ac wasnt turned on prior to our check in and it is in direct sun. The shower was dirty and there were 2 bikinis on the deck. Also after 2 showers the shower was clogged, ended up showering in ankle deep water. Definitely need some upgrades but still enjoyed the location.
Danielle R.
October 2025
It reeked like paint first 5 or 6 days but the place was great. Nice design, nice furniture. Everything you need.
Shawna S.
October 2025
Lovely high rise & clean building, the Condo had a wonderful & very comfortable KS bed, high quality linen/towels, everything we needed in kitchen, provided beach chairs/gear. Situated next door to Hilton Hawaiian, the gorgeous Lagoon & beach. Very close to public transport, pick up points for tours, lots of ABC shops & restaurants/cafes nearby. Great balcony to people watch & most importantly watch the Friday night free Fireworks display in front of the Hilton Lagoon - they were fab. Highly recommend staying here.
Leonie M.
October 2025
There are so many conveniences right inside the Ilikai property, also near by. We walked to most of our destinations.
Betty L.
October 2025
We had a wonderful time in Waikiki! The apartment was perfectly located — everything in and around Waikiki was within easy walking distance. Even the Hop-on Hop-off bus stops were conveniently nearby. There were plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, and shops just around the corner.The 24-hour valet parking service worked flawlessly — no waiting times at all — and at 45 per day, it was fairly priced for the area. The apartment itself was spotless, fully equipped, and even included beach gear, which we didn’t use ourselves but is certainly a great bonus for other guests.The absolute highlight, however, was the breathtaking view from the balcony overlooking the harbor — watching the sunset from there was simply magical and something we will never forget.Check-in was smooth and effortless, and everything went exactly as described. We would absolutely love to come back. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Claudio H.
October 2025
Absolutely amazing vacation. Property was beautiful and had everything we needed. The onsite store on the first floor is a great perk and saves from going out in town last minute. We enjoyed both pools and the onsite restaurant as well. Bit of a walk to the beach and lagoon but not to bad and it’s a wide sidewalk the whole way down and back. Overall we loved this property and would definitely stay here again!
Brian E.
October 2025
Parking was good, location excellent however the condo requires some TLC. The shower head leaked in the en-suite bathroom.Ants on the kitchen worktop and in the coffee maker. The bed linen did not fit and the curtains did not close properly in the guest bedroom. Could not open the sliding doors onto the balcony for the master bedroom and living room.Overall the unit is tired looking and is given bare minimum care between bookings, I had messaged the owner three times before contact was actually achieved regarding door code access.The property is tired looking and did not provide any further local information.
Mark S.
October 2025
The unit itself is ideally located, close to everything. The view is beautiful. Communication with the management staff was very good. Check in was very easy. Recommended
Mercedes L.
October 2025
Air Conditioning worked ok, but the ceiling fans were not operating at an adequate speed. We used the large area fan they had and that really helped
Janice C.
October 2025
Room was perfect for a couple. Great view
Keith R.
October 2025
Watching the sunset view from the restaurant patio was magnificent. The hosts were responsive and helpful with any questions. Loved the location to the laundry facility- right next to it!
Cathy K.
October 2025
Such a great location. This unit was ideal for our family. The balcony views of the Marina, Lagoon, and beach were outstanding. The kitchen was well equipped. Appreciated the cooler and boogie boards! I would definitely recommend this unit to others.
Elizabeth B.
October 2025
Nice accommodations..however there are a couple of things that need to be addressed. The TV remote does not work properly. You have to press the power button on andoff under the TV frame. You have to use volume button under the TV frame also.
The slider door in the living room is hard to open the shut.
Other than that…the view is excellent! Furniture and interior in general are in good condition. I would rent this unit again.
Steven
October 2025
Beautiful apartment in great location with amazing views
Michelle A.
October 2025
Centrally located in busy Waikiki. Parking is challenging. Room met our needs and was clean.
Sarah G.
October 2025
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
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:
The place was wonderful. Clean and organized had everything you need to make a home away from home. The views and location were perfect and winding down for the day was easy with the huge TV, cold A/C and comfy living room. We had a call for service while we were there and it was fixed immediately without any issue. Would highly recommend staying here and avoiding any other company as they were super easy to work with and made good on everything that was listed.
Chris M.
October 2025
Very nice rental. Thanks for a wonderful stay! Very conveniently located. Just be prepared for the valet parking fee of 45/night.
Keith C.
October 2025
Beautiful marina view to have coffee or a cocktail watching the waves. Great place for a couple. Easy access to restaurants and shops. Parking pass was a great asset. Felt very safe in building and area. Quiet and peaceful building.
Heather H.
October 2025
The place was very clean and had all the amenities you might need (right down to the beach chairs and accessoires). The refurbished kitchen was excellently done and we found everything we needed. The location was even better than I expected. Public transportation, rental vehicles and beautiful beaches were all right there. I would rate this property well above what I might expect and would recommend it to anyone I know.
Frank D.
October 2025
Loved everything
Amy
October 2025
What a beautiful place. It was the perfect location, walking distance to so many things like shopping, restaurants and the beach. We were next to the famous Hilton Waikīkī. Our hotel/condo had a restaurant below also and a convenience store with anything you may need, as well as other little shops below. We had an amazing view of the city but could still see the ocean from the balcony (see photos). It was clean and very nice. We had everything we needed and we did need a hair dryer. After contacting the management we were brought a brand new one. Although the concierge was not open downstairs 24 hours or the weekend, they were very responsive by texts any time. We needed to check in an hour early and we were allowed since it was available. It was nice and quiet and I highly recommend it. There was parking 45 per day, but we parked across the street for 15 (behind the McDonalds). While we didn’t have our own beach, it was the marina, the beach was just a 5-10 min walk. The room had some beach chairs and umbrellas too that you can take with you to the beach. We felt very safe and loved everything. We did not use the pool, since there was so many other things to do. Truly a great experience.
Linda D.
October 2025
Views were great kitchen was an added bonus we cooked breakfast every day and we had all utensils that was needed to make this a successful trip the condo was just as it looked on line so we were excited about that we will definitely stay there again If available! Charles Erica and Robert California and Georgia
Charles M.
October 2025
Amazing views. Comfortable and well equipped. Great location.
Paul L.
October 2025
Furniture and floors needed dusting. Bed was super comfy. Great view! Overall I'd definitely stay here again.
Lavella W.
October 2025
We were initially pleased to see some beach chairs and a beach umbrella but the umbrella was broken and chairs in rough shape. Unfortunately adult pool was closed one entire day for maintenance, unit was well located. Nice to have 2 balconies. Beds were comfortable. Kitchen was well equipped.
Patricia D.
October 2025
We only had one issue and that was air conditioning. It was hot in the hallways and the unit has a window air condition. We’re thinking maybe that’s a Hawaii thing.
Jeanette H.
October 2025
The beach view is perfection!!! Can not get any better, which is exactly what we wanted.
Lisa C.
October 2025