Honolulu Airpot Hotels?

[blondietink]

American Airlines just changed our flight for September and now we will not be getting into Honolulu until after 6 pm, so by the time we get our luggage, get our rental car, get some groceries and drive to Aulani I'm figuring it will be pretty late after a long day of flights. So, I'm thinking about cancelling our first night at Aulani due to the early pool closings and save the points, and instead stay at a hotel near the airport just to get some rest and then head to Aulani in the am after a stop at Pearl Harbor.

Anybody know which hotels are near the airport and are nice? Don't want to spend a fortune, but don't want to stay in a dive, either.

 

[Midoria]

I'd probably check Tripadvisor or a similar site where people rate and review hotels.

 

[kdonnel]

We stayed one night at the Best Western The Plaza Hotel in April 2012 for a similar reason. We felt safe, the room was clean, we rode TheBus to and from Waikiki, and hung out there for the evening.

The Best Western is very close to the Honolulu airport.

 

[ehrawn]

There aren't very many. I'd opt to stay at Aulani or a Waikiki hotel. It doesn't take more than 30 min to get anywhere on this island.

 

[nkereina]

Waikiki hotels would be the opposite direction of Aulani, when leaving the airport. I totally understand wanting to save the points, but if it were me, I'd just head straight to Aulani after grocery shopping. Even if you arrive after the pools are closed, you will be able to get right into your room, unpack, put your groceries away, and get everything settled before bed. That way, you can get be up nice and early with nothing to do on your first day at Aulani. It essentially gives you another day at the resort. Plus, if you go grocery shopping on your way to Aulani on your next day, I'm not sure whether bell services can store cold items if your room is not ready? Perhaps someone can confirm that.

 

[nkereina]

It doesn't take more than 30 min to get anywhere on this island.

Traffic is horrendous there which is another thing OP should consider. Going from the airport to Aulani later at night will allow them to miss any significant traffic. Might be worse trying to go the next day, depending on time and day of the week.

And FWIW, the drive from the airport to Aulani is about 30 minutes with no traffic. From Aulani to Kailua, on the other side of the island, is about an hour's drive. Waikiki to North Shore is about a 45-60 minute drive. All these times are without traffic, so add some time to that depending on the time of day. Only pointing this out so no one is misled.