Jul 25, 2010

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Pacific Beach Hotel

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Pacific Beach Hotel

Pacific Beach Hotel General description:

• The Pacific Beach Hotel was originally built in 1969; it has 2 different buildings, the front or Beach Tower and the back or Oceanarium Tower. The total number of units is a little over 800. It has ample common areas with several restaurants, bars and shops, a Port Cochere with optional valet parking and an adequate pool area.

• Parking is in the same property, it is covered and it is also very expensive, a common occurrence in Waikiki.
• The main entrance of the Pacific Beach Hotel is located on Liliuokalani Avenue but it has also access from Kalakaua Avenue and guests only need to cross the street to go to the beach.
   

What we like about the Pacific Beach Hotel:

• The Pacific Beach Hotel covers a complete City block and the location in the blue area of our map and just across the street from the beach is very convenient.
• The Pacific Beach Hotel is the home of the famous Oceanarium Restaurant that has one of the best Buffets in Waikiki as well as a huge 2 stories high fish tank with rays, sharks and a variety of tropical fish that are regularly fed by a scuba diver for the delight of children and adults alike.
• The Pacific Beach Hotel has the size, the location, the “feel” of a 4 star hotel in a lower 3 star category and normally at a lower rate.

What you may not like about the Pacific Beach Hotel:

• There have been some problems with the Pacific Beach Hotel worker’s union voted to represent this property, that resulted in 3 different management teams in less than a year, these problems have not been resolved and there is a distinct possibility that there might be trouble down that road in the near future (including even picket lines as it has happened already in the past) what can result in a degree of inconvenience for guests. It may be a good idea to stay away from the Pacific Beach Hotel until these problems are resolved.
• If you have the choice between the front tower (Beach Tower) and the back Oceanarium Tower, choose the back one, is newer.
• Please be advised that the pool at the Pacific Beach Hotel is not very big, if there is any consolation, this is a problem that many Waikiki hotels have, and the only large pool in Waikiki is at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
• Unless you know exactly what you are going to do with a car, is better not to rent one at all, parking in Waikiki is very expensive and the Pacific Beach Hotel is no exception.