Honolulu International Airport (HNL): Approximate driving time is 17 minutes and distance is 10 miles.

Driving directions from Honolulu International Airport: Take the H-1 Fwy heading east. Exit at Nimitz Hwy and follow the signs to Waikiki. Nimitz Hwy becomes Ala Moana Blvd, which merges with Kalakaua Ave. Once on Kalakaua Ave, stay in the far left lane, which becomes Kuhio Ave. Continue to the hotel on the right at the intersection with Uluniu St.

Getting there: Shuttles and taxis are both available right outside baggage claim. For parties of two or fewer, shuttles are generally less expensive; the cost is $5–15 per person. For parties of three or more, a taxi is often a better value; the fare is usually $26–35, sometimes slightly less if traffic is light. Rental cars are another option and are available online. All fees subject to change without notice.

Getting around: Waikiki is known for its shops, restaurants, and nightlife, and guests can walk to all of these from the hotel. For longer trips, the city bus is a good choice. It provides excellent service, and stops are located just outside the hotel, up and down Kuhio Ave. A single fare is less than $5. For guests who plan to ride the bus at least 10 times during a four-day period, however, the four-day visitor pass is a better value at $16–25. Taxi service is also excellent, with cabs usually available within five to 10 minutes of placing a call. For more extensive travel around the island, rental cars are the best bet, and they can be obtained online.

Amenity highlights: The penthouse pool is only medium-sized, but the adjoining hot tub holds eight. Sunshine floods the pool sundeck all day. From this socializing spot high above the Waikiki action, the ocean and Diamond Head present an unforgettable panorama. Just one level below the pool deck is a public area containing a refrigerator, sink, dining tables, and a television fronted by plush couches. Windows are all around and offer superb views. Sun worshippers can shower on this level, and there's a sauna with a wide window facing Diamond Head.

Insider tip: Guests have equal access to two beaches for two moods: the world-famous Waikiki Beach and the lesser-known Kuhio Beach. Luxury hotels face Waikiki, the hub for activities such as surfing, snorkeling, sailing, and outrigger canoeing. A public park fronts Kuhio, a laid-back family destination featuring an expansive, enclosed saltwater lagoon of calm, shallow water with a sand bottom. Beach volleyball, sheltered picnic tables, coconut-tree-shaded lawns, and a finger pier make the park popular with visitors and locals alike.