Oahu and Kauai Hawaii 10 day Trip 2008 May

Arrived Honolulu around 2:30pm, rented car at Enterprise and checked in to Ilikai Hotel around 4pm. We chose to upgrade to an Ocean front view room wtih Jacuzzi, which I'm glad we did. Breakfast and trip planning on the lanai (balcony) with ocean views was a wonderful experience and during the night some nightviews of the city. Ilikai Hotel is not as beaten up as I thought  it would be from some of the internet reviews I've seen. The entrance is small but the lobby is really big and open.  There is barely any shops at the hotel open but who cares? I want to hang out outside! Room is clean, luxurious, location is pretty good with ABC store and McDonald around the corner and a ramp connecting to Waikiki Beach from the Hilton Lagoon (small). Very good value for the price we pay, still under 200 with the upgrade.

Btw, parking is valet at Ilikai for 25, and we just went ahead and parked there for convenience. Basically most of the parking in Honolulu/Waikiki is valet, so be prepared to pay. Much more convenient and you get good service. Some people proabably opt to park around the Marina in the back, but the meteres were all 4 hour limit I'm not so sure how to do that. There are other farther parking lot where parking privileges are unknown. In summary, it would not be fun to haul luggages any distance after a 16 hour flight.

After settling in, we went for a stroll to Ala Moana Center for dinner. Was about 10 minute walk. Just a regular shopping center with alot of visitor trolleys and shuttles. Alot of people at the food court. We had Japanese Ramen, Soyu Ramen and Kimchee Ramen. I  thought my Kimchee Ramen tastes like instant nooddle. Not so impressed. Then got a pineapple smoothie to get into the tropical feel.

After dinner on our way back we saw some jellyfish in the bay. Was worried if we would encounter this during our snorkel trip a few days later, but turns out we didn't have to worry. There were a bunch of jellyfish, very cute and we lingered around for a while.

Then we went to the Waikiki beach throught the Ilikai ramp, passing the Hilton Lagoon. This was around 6pm and the music at the Waikiki beach restaurants are already "up and running". I have not researched which restaurants were playing the music, but it was a pretty nice atmosphere, there are already no people on the beach, I guess very different from during the day. Very long walk until we've reached the Royal Hawaiian pink building.  Headed back to hotel for some rest, oceanview and jacuzzi.

Back to hotel and enjoyed nightview from the lanai.