Short version: we had a great stay in Honolulu. Great location, great amenities but needs a little TLC.Hawaii allows hotels to post rooms on VRBO so this condo was a hotel room in the Monarch Hotel. Not a deal breaker, but it would have been nice to know in advance. The host was very nice and responsive. We checked into our room early which was a plus and it was an easy process. The parking is paid in cash only separately but attached to the building. No issues here. The room itself was very basic but in need of TLC, there were holes in the walls from art or fixtures that were no longer up, the bathroom lighting was dim and the cabinet in the bathroom was water logged. There is a section of the shower wall that was patched up. All of these were not deal breakers for us but would have been nice to know. Cleanliness is a 3 out of 5 due to mildew on the shower curtain, floors left dirt on our slippers and the dishes needed to be washed before use. Beds were comfy, sheets were clean. Our rating is a 4 of 5 overall.
Jeanine I.
July 2026
Pictures looked better than reality. Parking is a nightmare, $45 a night for some garage that a guy unaffiliated with the hotel owns. Otherwise you have to try to find parking that you need to move your car before 6 am on the street. The host was way too pushy, needs to relax and look into upgrading his apartment/suite. Towels were gross, we cleaned them before leaving. All in all, it sufficed for what we needed but I would not book here again, nor would I have booked this in the first place if I knew what it was. Owner is a nice guy, I would have rated higher if this was a better property.
BRIDGET
July 2026
Great location, beautiful views and clean room!
Steven
June 2026
This place was excellent, well stocked very clean and Steve was excellent in his communication and there to help. I would strongly recomend this penthouse.
Mauricio N.
June 2026
Clean, cute, super convenient, had everything I needed... Clean iron and small tabletop ironing board; hair dryer, fridge, hot water kettle, all the kitchen stuff. Could use blackout curtains as lights of the city and morning sunshine are both bright and come through white curtains, and I'm a light sleeper.Easy walking distance from airport city bus and convenience stores.
Lori G.
June 2026
Good little place to stay for tight budgets and quick stay
Amy H.
June 2026
Great experience overall. Highly recommended!
Archie R.
June 2026
We enjoyed our stay the views were wonderful.
Karen C.
June 2026
Nice view of the canal and mountains from the apartment. We appreciated the location as well. However I would not recommend this property for different reasons.
First, the flat requires a deep clean and some work, especially the bathroom which is really old fashioned (water just riddles out even with the tap full in the shower).
Then, we were awake every morning at 5.30am because of the lack of curtain, either they don’t cover properly the window or they let the light through.
Finally, the combo is really noisy, we were able to listen all the cars in the street, mainly because of the windows which are really old and need to be replaced.
Sylvain
June 2026
Bright, clean, very close to the beach and amenities. Would highly recommend!
Anna E.
May 2026
Nice cozy studio!…Perfect location & beautiful pool!..
Nikki H.
May 2026
As a middle age woman traveling alone, I felt safe in this area. Lots of things to do. AC unit was okay, but I had to turn it down to 66 to get the room to the right temperature. Otherwise, I would likely stay here again.
Camy L.
May 2026
Very nice room, and great location. Although it’s small it was perfect for two people. Only one thing I thought would make it better, was to install black out shades in the windows. The ball field on the other side of the canal leaves the flood lights on until late at night. But we’re not complaining, just a suggestion. Ash is a great host. Will recommend to friends and next trip we will stay there again.
Roger P.
May 2026
This was a clean room and a central location. It has a good view of the water. You can watch the fireworks from the hotel that occur everything Friday if you're here. It's very close (1/2 block) from a great food truck area. They'd a really good market at the other end of the block. Parking, like in all of Honolulu, is pricey, but if you communicate with the owner about a spot, you can get one in the hotel for less. It was a good spot, easy to get in and out for a smaller car. The owner was great at communication and was quick to respond when I had an issue with the AC. The bed was comfy and there's everything you need to make basic meals in a microwave or have coffee or tea. I would come back to this unit and owner when I'm in Hawaii next.
Bruce P.
May 2026
Great stay with great location. Host responded and gave us proper instructions with how to get in. Perfect for the few nights we were there :)
Melanie T.
May 2026
Excellent location and beautiful property with breath taking views. Host communicated with details and helpful advice on local things. Very comfortable stay. Would definitely stay again.
joanne p.
April 2026
Delightful queen bed efficiency condo with excellent kitchen, dining table for four (rare) & world class views towards Waikiki Beach over Fort Derussy Park.Prompt clear communication with host when needed.12 minute walk to prime Waikiki night spots.Included beach chairs and beach gear a nice plus!
Jesse R.
April 2026
The room was clean and well organized. Enough space for me and my guest. Enjoyed safety features of building and parking availability on site
Laura C.
April 2026
Ash was excellent in communicating. He even allowed us early entry which was so appreciated as we had flown from Calgary to Vancouver to Honolulu and were very sleep deprived!
John
April 2026
![Hawaiian Monarch]()
I rented both rooms that this particular gentleman offers and was extremely pleased. My son and daughter-in-law stayed in the large room and my granddaughter stayed with me in the smaller room. The two rooms have an adjoining entryway and we left the doors open. The larger room has a much better kitchen if you plan on making full meals. The smaller room is good for heating things up and making small breakfast or lunch. The views were beautiful and there was always a nice breeze in the evening. There are food trucks directly across the street where we ate most of our meals. Hawaii can be very expensive but doing it this way made it very economical for me to take my son and his family. We used Walmart to deliver our groceries. The first morning we arrived, and there is a wonderful grocery store walking distance. Actually, everything is walking distance! I am 64 years old and my granddaughter is four and neither of us had any trouble walking to the beach, to the grocery store or anywhere else. I highly recommend these rooms.
Cinthia R.
April 2026
Yes- everything was stocked-clean- and ready to go for a perfect vacation. Steve was ready to help with check-in, and was very informative on the area. View was breathtaking- close to everything.
Katherine P.
March 2026
Had a wonderful stay at this unit, especially with the convenience of the well stocked supplies! Preferred this area as it's further away from the much busier and crowded areas of Waikiki. For parking we ended up getting a monthly pass at another property a block away, Canterbury Parking Garage, which was more cost effective than paying daily onsite for our 2 week stay. Unit was great and clean, while being well stocked for comfort. Would definitely look to book here again in the future.
John R.
March 2026
The room was clean and exactly what we needed. Check-in was smooth and a good location to catch the bus, walk to the beach, or walk to Honolulu itself.
Hanne N.
March 2026
The ONLY reason I knocked anything off was due to some sort of miscommunication with housekeeping about when the place needed to be cleaned so we walked in to see unmade beds and dirty dishes. Steve rectified the situation immediately and we did our grocery shopping while we waited. In the end, no harm, no foul.Instructions were all crystal clear and parking, while expensive, was a breeze. The food truck park next door could have been our stop for every single meal. Make sure to take advantage of the binoculars in the unit to see whales!!!
Robert P.
March 2026
I absolutely loved this condo with incredible views! It was super clean, modern and exactly like the host had described. I loved the provided beach towels and beach chairs. The bed was super comfortable and the pillows. The kitchen had everything you would need. I didn’t need to use the air conditioner as the place was cool already on its own. The check-in process was very easy and exactly like the host had described. I stayed here for three nights and I had a car rented. I had no trouble finding parking on Ala Wai Blvd. which is a very long boulevard and unlimited parking day and night with no restrictions. Sometimes I had to circle around a few times, but eventually I found someone that was pulling out of a spot. When I couldn’t find parking there all of the side streets, off of that boulevard, had free overnight parking. I would definitely stay here again, and I would highly rate this accommodation!!
MARGARET G.
March 2026
Everything was amazing!
Kellen M.
March 2026
The room was very clean. Unfortunately, the walls of the hotel are very thin, so you can hear your neighbors, and they can hear you. So this detracts from the privacy of the room. Also, the actual location of the room was different from what was shown on the map on the VRBO site, which was an issue for me as I based my decision to stay there on the VRBO map location, which was incorrect. The bathroom was small, and the design of the shower base presented a minor tripping hazard. Also there is no clothes closet. But, otherwise, there were no major flaws. The room was equiped for basic cooking. The view was as advertised - Great sunrises. The bed was very comfortable. There are lots of excellent food venues all around. And it is right on many bus routes. On the whole, I enjoyed my stay there.
Diane Y.
March 2026
Everything was great, location, clean and professional! Would definitely book again and recommend for any visitors!
Kellen M.
February 2026
The Host was amazing answered in a timely matter. The property was beautiful.
Speed H.
February 2026
The host was very communicative and helpful with some minor issues. The room was a bit smaller than we expected but was adequate for our stay, with good cooking facilities and all the essentials. The bed was comfortable but had an annoying creaking noise. The air conditioning was noisy but luckily we didn't need it much. The location was good, only a short walk to local shops, beaches and buses. Good views to the mountains, when not covered with clouds.
Iain P.
February 2026
![Ocean View Boutique Condo - 20th FL]()
The place was decorated very nicely and the sheets and comforter/quilt was very soft. The hosts were quick to respond and professional. I was disappointed in some aspects hence the 3 rating, but these aren't really the hosts fault. Firstly, the pool is in the shade the entire time which was extremely disappointing. I wouldn't have chosen this place having known that. All day it's in the shade. The neighbor I think across from their unit smokes cigarettes and there is a heavy cigarette smell in the hallway that goes into the unit if we don't shut the door right away. The unit doesn't necessarily have a kitchenette. There is a microwave and small fridge. It's set up like a dorm room. Tiny coffee pot, toaster and toaster oven stored away but no counter space to use it. I really couldn't make any meals there at all which changed my plans and budget. That was my fault for not looking more closely. Also, the the air conditioner on the balcony drips into a large rectangular bucket and as tenants, we are expected to carry it into the tiny room and dump it daily. I would not have rented this place had I known that. It was a cute room and served the purpose but not being able to enjoy the pool in the sun and some of the other things made me wish I had chosen a different room.
Sarah B.
February 2026
Host was very well at communication. We had no internet or tv , as it was internet based . And this was never resolved. Bed was quite firm , but better than the futon, which was a rock. Everything was clean and there waa a great selection of cooking type stuff available. View was great , however we had to deal with lots of smoke , both kinds from below anytime we wanted to use balcony. Reported to office with a ,too bad ... we cant do anything about it attitude. Overall wasnt great , but couldve been much worse.
Ron F.
February 2026
Great for the price
Gillian T.
February 2026
Great location close to the beach and restaurants, with an ocean view in the distance. The apartment was quite well equipped, and was clean. Easy checkin
william l.
January 2026
We loved staying here! The location was fantastic — it was easy to get the keys, and having the tour bus stop right out front was a huge bonus. While this isn’t a brand-new 5-star hotel, it was very clean, comfortable, and had an absolutely amazing view. We were able to walk everywhere, which made exploring so easy and enjoyable. Parking is available for a fee if you rent a car. Overall, this was a wonderful place to stay and we would happily stay here again!
Dustin W.
January 2026
Great location to explore Waikīkī!
David N.
January 2026
Our host, Yan was quick to answer questions and always so friendly. The unit is very tiny but had everything anyone could possibly need during their stay. Loved the view of Diamond Head as well as the Ala Wai canal. We loved eating at the local food trucks and the location was just across the street. The bus service is close and easy to navigate. We mainly walked everywhere but did have a car. Parking is quite expensive so we kept moving the car and was a bit of a hassle but nothing to get irritated about. My husband and I were able to celebrate my 70th birthday along with my daughter and friends that live here and also ring in the New Year. Thank you for a memorable experience.
GAYLE S.
January 2026
Place was just as advertised. Clean and cool! Host was great! Good communicator Thank you !
Shawn C.
December 2025
Holiday Vacation We decided to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Oahu. This rental really made the stay amazing. It is well equipped and the view is absolutely amazing! The view of Diamond Head and Waikiki were stunning. The unit came with beach chairs, boogie boards, beach umbrella, and beach towels. These amenities really added to the beach fun It is easy to get to and nicely located. We loved it and wouldn't hesitate to book here again. Aloha!
Stephen H.
December 2025
Clean room.
Amazing view from the 29th floor.
Atrociously expensive parking.
Decent location about 10 minutes walk from the beach. Some homelessness around so lock your car and keep valuable away from sight.
Busy touristy area along the beach.
Bertrand
December 2025
Had an everything we needed, close to everything and great pool and hot tub area.Great three days before our cruise.
Sandra B.
December 2025
So Thankful! REVIEW COMMENTS: Wow!! That about sums it up! I can honestly say I've never had a better host than Steve. He checked in periodically to make sure everything was good. Not only that, but after we left, I discovered I left my Kindle behind. I contacted Steve, who was out of the country at that time, and he immediately reached out to his manager to help. He stayed in contact with me until my Kindle was on the way back to me free of charge! As far as his penthouse... what would you expect from the host I just described! Yup... immaculate! Clean, clean, clean- comfy beds, perfect size living area for our family of four and a beautiful view as well... Diamond Head during the day and a beautiful sunset at night! And, we never had to wait for the elevator. Thank you Steve for your hospitality... you're the best by far!
November 2025
Host did a good job welcoming us. Room was nice, bed was comfortable. Meet our need.
Jeremy H.
November 2025
The host was vey helpful. The location was an easy walk to the beach and restaurants.The air condition was a little loud.
Marne M.
November 2025
Everything was as promised. Ash was very responsive and helpful. I would stay here again.
Bradley F.
November 2025
Great location, walking distance to beach, shopping, restaurants and trolly. Very responsive to any questions and provided pre-check information timely.Great vacation stay!
charles z.
October 2025
We stayed 10 nights. The bathroom was could have been a bit cleaner. The bed was the most difficult to sleep in. It was a memory foam bed and if your a senior, you need a lot more support than a memory foam bed can offer. Needless to say, I woke with severe lower back pain that lasted the whole time we were there. My wife also had difficulty with this mattress. It would have been nice if the cost for parking was given so we would have been better prepared. The place was quite nice with a nice view of the canal from the 20th floor. You could barely see the ocean though as the hotel is quite a bit away. The room seemed well equipped with dishes, glasses and utensils, and a small refrigerator. There was also free Wi-Fi and TV. We weren't in the room very much except to sleep so we didn't use much of anything. Overall, a nice place in a good location for a decent price.
John J C.
October 2025
A perfect place to stay for our family of 4! Great location that's just outside of the craziness of Waikiki. A well-stocked kitchen, as well as a cabinet full of beach items to use. But the star of the show is the view that wraps around the corner, so you can see the canal and the ocean at the same time. We would definitely stay here again.
Cathy C.
September 2025
ALOHA!It was a good experience staying in. The TP holder was uneven when it was installed and TP did not hooked on correctly. I did communicate that with Ash.
NANI S.
September 2025
We love the binoculars in the room. Many pool and beach toys. Thanks for putting a bottle opener In the room. Great location we loved it. Good beds. Thanks for a great stay.
sharon K.
September 2025