Honolulu International Airport (HNL): Approximate driving time is 30 minutes and distance is 9 miles.

Numerous independent shuttles operate between the airport and Waikiki. On arrival, reservations are not necessary, but recommended. On return, reservations are essential. Taxis are widely available and charge a flat $25 Waikiki fee.

Traffic in Honolulu can get congested, especially around rush hour, and parking can be a challenge. Within Waikiki, you can walk or take city buses to shows, shops, and beach. Most visitors with plans to venture outside of Waikiki prefer rental cars, which are available via this Web site.

Amenity highlights: A large sun deck with two pools, ice and soda machines, and a hot water dispenser bridges the third floors of the hotel's two room towers. The hotel was built in the 1970s and rooms have since been renovated using island decor and tropical prints. Waikiki Beach is one block away, and the shops of Kalakaua Avenue are a half-mile away. The hotel has a restaurant and bar.

Insider tip: Waikiki Beach may be the best-known beach on Oahu, but it is not the only one. Beach lovers looking for an authentic old-Hawaii, rest-and-relaxation experience enjoy the 45-minute drive north to Kailua Beach, where local families gather for picnics and barbecues and fine windsurfing is just offshore.