Ilikai Hotel Honolulu

During our transition from DC to Okinawa, Japan, we wanted to stay in Hawaii for a few days while our stuff crossed the Pacific Ocean. SInce the Hale Koa Military Resort Hotel was full, the Ilikai Hotel nearby on Waikiki Beach was available at the same military leisure rates as the Hale Koa.

The Ilikai was made famous during the opeing scene of the Hawaii Five-O TV police detective show in the 60's with Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett standing on the penthouse balcony. It is an older hotel (opened in 1964) than the Hale Koa, but it has more ammenities and has an annex across the street from the 3-wing main building. Hale Koa is more spread out but there is something to be said for the compactness of the Ilikai--you can even get a massage by the pool for two!

The view is tremendous at Sarento's Mediterranean Italian Restaurant a.k.a the Top of the "I" with panaramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu Harbor, Diamond Head Crater, and the Pacific Ocean. We made a reservation right at sunset and the skyline was amazing even after the sun went down.

The rooms are getting a bit old and we had a few resolvable plumbing problems, but the rennovations underway will probably alleviate these drawbacks.

Stay at a Hawaii icon--the Ilikai Hotel!

***Cue Hawaii Five-O theme music***