Jul 25, 2010

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Equus Hotel

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Equus Hotel  

I have stayed at the Equus since the renovations, and I found the room to be very nice, a slight Chinese influence in the design, and a nice flat screen TV.

As stated, if you are considering the Equus Hotel, you may want to consider checking rates before booking, with the current state of travel, there are many good deals on Where to stay in Waikiki.

Equus Hotel General description:

• The Equus Hotel structure was originally built in 1961 and operated as a low end one star hotel under different names like Driftwood Hotel and Hawaii Polo Inn, In 2007 underwent an ambitious renovation aiming at increasing the star rating of the property. The Equus Hotel has 10 floors. The common areas are small with a very small pool and a single elevator.
• Parking is very expensive and limited. 

What we like about the Equus Hotel:

• The Equus Hotel underwent a renovation in 2007 and the rooms look a lot better than before.
• The Equus Hotel is in very close proximity to the Honolulu Convention Center which makes it a good choice for travelers attending events there or for any other event that requires the visitor to be on the west side of Waikiki.

What you may not like about the Equus Hotel:

• At the Equus Hotel service quality low, clients even have to haul their luggage from the street level to the first floor where the front desk is because the only elevator does not reach the street level (?).
• You will most likely approve of the fact that the rooms are better now after the renovation, they are still small but better than before, yet you may not like are the facilities “wrapped around” them. Open corridors, small lobby, small front desk, only one elevator for the whole hotel, walk up second floor lobby without elevator access and tiny swimming pool are some of the things that many visitors complaint about.
• At the Equus Hotel the bathrooms are very small, have no tubs only shower stalls.
• It turned out to be fine for those travelers that expected a one star hotel and service, however you may be sorely disappointed if you expect anything better.
• On the Waikiki map, this hotel appears to be close to the ocean, but please be advised that this area is a marina full of boats and marine repair shops. The closest beach that you can swim in is in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village about 6 blocks away (about 15 minutes walk)
• At the Equus Hotel parking is very limited and it is only on a first come, first serve basis. You may want to think it twice before renting a car because you may end up without a spot to park it.
• As the Equus Hotel is at the beginning of Waikiki, the hotel is too far from the center of Waikiki. Also many people do not want to stay in this area because they consider it the least attractive part of Waikiki.
• On a normal date, for the same rate or less, you can find a better hotel in the same star rating and in a more central area.
• If you need to stay in the same west side of Waikiki you may want to consider for the same money or less, the Holiday Inn which is a higher star rating, it is a name brand that you can recognize and a better overall hotel with a real lobby, real pool area, own restaurant, exercise room, etc.