Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach- a travel agent’s view

In one of the best locations on Waikiki Beach and a respite from its higher priced neighbors, the Outrigger Waikiki offers a great value for those travelers looking for a beachfront resort.  As a Vacation and Honeymoon Specialist, My Vacation Lady tends to be more critical of hotels that we visit than your average guest because we need to see which hotels will fit our client’s needs.

The Outrigger Waikiki is one resort that we will recommend to the right client for their stays in Oahu.

The lobby is one of the most Hawaiian in the area, with an outrigger canoe in the lobby to welcome guests and the décor is definitely island inspired.  The rooms are all undergoing renovation which is anticipated to be completed in early 2012. The new carpeting and bedding will also have a more island flair.

The rooms are either 2 double bedded rooms or one king bedded room.  The double bedded room is a bit larger than the kings so that there is enough room for the sofa bed.  The city view room (which I don’t recommend) might be a bit smaller and might only have 1 queen bed and a sofa bed.  One of the rooms that we were really impressed with was the Deluxe Oceanfront room (there are very few of these) which have a very large in-room Jacuzzi or, as they call it- a spa tub.  This room category would be ideal for honeymooners who want to pamper themselves a bit more.

The rooms on the whole are pretty standard rooms- decent size, toilet and tub/shower is separated from the bathroom sink, Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and is complimentary.  There’s a mini fridge, complimentary coffee, and a flat screen TV.  With the renovations, they look fresh and appealing.

The views can vary between city view (you might be looking into some else’s balcony) to ocean front giving you a full view of Waikiki beach.

The Outrigger doesn’t charge a resort fee which is typical of most other resorts in the area.  In terms of value, you’ll certainly get more bang for your buck at the Outrigger Waikiki than many other resorts.  In addition to no resort fee, there is free WiFi in room and in many public areas, free  in room coffee and tea service, free safes, free calls to the US and Canada, free use of the fitness center, free cultural activities (lei making and ukulele lessons to name a fee), a free vow renewal ceremony and a free photo shoot with 1 free 8”x10” photo per room.

While the pool doesn’t match the Sheraton’s gorgeous new infinity pool or water playground, it is beachfront and will be undergoing some renovation in early 2012 as well.

Location- one of the definite selling features.  It’s in between the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian and 2 resorts down from the Sheraton, and right behind the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.  Duke’s is the highlighted restaurant.  This beachfront restaurant has been a Waikiki “must do” since it opened.  It’s one of the hot spots on Waikiki Beach with music every evening and a fun happy hour.   The lava flow is wonderful as is the hula pie.

Hula Grill, a steak house, deli, Seattle’s Best Coffee and room service round out the dining options.  Within steps of the restaurants at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and a few blocks from the Beach Walk on Lewers Street or the restaurants on Kalakaua Avenue, you won’t go hungry if you are staying at the Outrigger Waikiki.

While this is a more moderate property, it is one that I will recommend to my clients, once the pool construction is completed.  In the meantime, I’ll recommend the Outrigger Reef on the Beach to those clients who want a moderately priced beachfront hotel in Waikiki.