It was a big step down to the Pearl Hotel Waikiki after almost two weeks in fabulous accommodations with king-size beds.
Maui was expensive, but Honolulu and Waikiki are probably worse. Even though it’s considered somewhat off-season for a good hotel, it’s $300-$350 a night, and we did get a much better deal. But there is a $35 amenity charge per night, no matter where you stay. We encountered a similar tourist tax in Las Vegas, except that we stayed off the strip to avoid this charge.
Benefits of The Pearl Hotel Waikiki
The Pearl Hotel is something out of the 50s or 60s. Don’t get me wrong, it’s well-maintained, but the amenities are lacking. To give you a sense of the building, above is a view of the inner courtyard where our hotel room is. If you go online, do not be deceived by the pictures.
I’m not going to complain because the room has a small fridge, microwave and a ridiculous coffee maker. The wi-fi was adequate, if not the strongest. Most importantly, it had two beds – a double and a queen. The staff was helpful, and there was a great coffee shop next door.
The added feature was the self-service coin laundry.
Location, location, location
But what sets the Pearl Hotel Waikiki apart is its location. You can practically spit from the hotel to the international market. Distance to the beach is a maximum of five minutes walk away. Located just steps from the International Market Place and Waikiki Beach, the Pearl Hotel Waikiki puts you in the heart of Oahu's South Shore.
For a cost-benefit analysis, I would recommend this hotel for a medium budget.
