The value (worked out to less that $100 per person per night by booking Air Canada Vacation package 6 months in advance) for what we received was worth our 7 day stay. Our 210 square foot room (1208) was a corner suite with an unobstructed ocean view Juliette balcony (doesn't open) and a spacious partial ocean view, partial mountain view, and facing the Aston Waikiki hotel. Bathroom is spacious and has plenty of counter space. On the 12th floor, the noise level from the Lulu bar below on a Saturday night is barely audible. Very peaceful. Toiletry amenities were very nice. Plenty of clean dresser drawers and a good size closet with luggage rack for storing your clothes.
Yes, the balcony chairs are a bit dusty but I simply covered them with dollar store rain ponchos and that's where I hung our wet beachwear to dry overnight. You can hang them over the balcony railing, as long as it's not too windy and blows away your bottoms!
The bedside lamps have two plug-ins each in case you like having mobile devices, readers, iPads, and such plugged in near your head. The TV is LG and has an abundance of channels for entertainment. Wifi is free in-room and throughout hotel, also reasonable speed.
In the welcome material for your room, it states that linens are changed on every 3rd night of your stay.
We booked Scuba Diving (intro) and the Roberts Hawaii Pearl Harbour/North Shore day trip tour with the Expedia agent located in the lobby. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful (as with all staff at Parkshore). They offer good rates but only take credit card. Coming from Canada, the exchange rate (1.22, currently) is bit steep but the discount via Expedia offsets and there is value.
Beach towels and beach chairs were plentiful and readily available when you exchanged your beach card. We also enjoyed the pool area which was never crowded; at most, 80% occupancy on any given day and perfect view of the beach without actually being on the beach.
If you want hotel room service for food, there is none. However, there is a service available with a list of places that will delivery to your door for a small service charge. We never used this as there are endless number of places to eat within walking distance, and open very late to cater to tourists, and large american sized servings. We gave away our doggie bags to some of the homeless people sleeping near the beach. There aren't many, but a few who have been forced out of their homes by rising apartment rental rates.They don't cause any trouble to tourists, and their are daily outreach workers who help support them. A local police presence is also right on the beach.
No gym, but there is a 24 hour fitness located 2 blocks away on the main strip. The hotel can provide a pass for $15, or you can buy a weekly pass at the gym for $69 which offers a locker and access to showers whenever you want. Great for cleaning off at the beach or storing your wallets/valuables.
No spa, but there are many within walking distance. Far better to have the spa experience elsewhere without paying the exorbitant prices for an extra 100 square feet of space that isn't really necessary. If you pack smart, put your things away in the space provided, then 210 square feet will be plentiful for two people.
There is a no-charge in room safe that is easy to use, and mini-fridge below it. We shopped a few blocks inward at Food Pantry for ready made salads, cheese and crackers, for midday snacks. The hotel offers complimentary early morning coffee water and juice midday until early evening in the lobby. Bring your water bottle/coffee thermos and get your free refills there.
We met the manager, Scott Pauli, at the one hour, pre-sunset meet and greet on Wednesday, on the 3rd floor pool deck. Staff pours alcoholic and non-alcoholic champagne punch and serves up light savoury treats (e.g., maui chips, pretzel mix) while the manager comes around to introduce himself, asks how your stay has been, and for your feedback. Our only comment was that we would like to see blue recycle bins in hotel rooms for plastic water bottles, newspapers, etc. The trash bins are small and the housekeeping staff have to manually sort through our garbage for recycling. Scott seemed amenable to furthering the recycling program.
I booked an Island Express shuttle via the hotel to take us back to the airport on friday night. It is $13 per person with cash collected at the end of your ride. Cheaper than the $35 flat rate fare that is usually offered by taxis. The shuttle is a 10 person-seating van and arrives in a timely fashion, on the :45 every hour provided that you book through concierge.
Our check out time was at noon, so we stored our luggage, ambled about, relaxed at poolside, went out for one last dinner and sunset, and then waited a couple hours in the nice lobby to charge up our mobile devices. There is access to bathrooms and a hospitality suite so you can change back into winter clothing read more