My standard hotel reviews include a breakdown by the following topics. Feel free to skip to whichever section you find most interesting.
- Highlights
- Lobby
- Room
- Hotel Space / Ambiance
- Food & Drink
- Fitness
- Miscellaneous
Highlights: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Waikiki
I was able to BRG this rate down to $127, which was a great deal at the time. I’m sure that would be fine however it was a poor experience, partly due to the fact we were only there for a night. From a shoddy room, to poor service, there are better options (like the Hilton package we got). The welcome Mauna Loa nuts were the highlight, as well as their live entertainment during evenings. Thankfully they were kind enough to waive the $35 resort fee after I spoke with the manager.
LOBBY & CHECK-IN
Check-in was an interesting experience. Walk past the activities and AT&T desks, to the long check-in desks. I noted the welcome gifts, but was told I had to select between that, breakfast, and points. They told me it was 1,000 Starwood points – which would be 3,000 Marriott, however at check-out they said they were confused and it would only just be 1,000 points of the combined entity. I felt cheated. I also asked for a can of nuts and luggage tag amenity sent up to my room, where I waited for them that evening. They never arrived. Unfortunately, I was not able to take advantage of other resort fee amenities like complimentary water and fruit delivery to the beach.
ROOM
This room was on the loyalty floor, for a program that no longer exists. It was a pretty standard room, with nice views. There were some glaring issues, with AC that reeked of mildew and mold, needing to be turned off quickly. Additionally, the bathroom floor had pinkish stains, and was quite old. It was of poor quality and I expected better. On the bright side, there was complimentary nuts for guests.
HOTEL SPACE / AMBIANCE
Of course, being located in Waikiki it was filled with families and couples, ranging in all ages. Their large pool and sprawled out bar area caters to adults, with their live entertainment encouraging along.
FOOD & DRINK
We passed on the breakfast due to being full but it did look good, as well as the dinner buffet. Perhaps next time if I come here I’ll try the breakfast.
FITNESS
This fitness center was satisfactory, and the pool was very large.
MISCELLANEOUS
At check-out I listed my issues with the property and service, and they told me they’d do better and would comp my resort fee to make up for the problems mentioned. I haven’t seen it yet, and I absolutely hate that I had to follow up, since they should make it right on their own. I most likely would come back to Waikiki more often, but only for the Hilton due to my status and credits. Or, I’ll check out the other Starwood properties available in Waikiki, such as the Royal Hawaiian.
Lastly, I checked out their timeshare desk here, for Marriott’s Ko Olina resort. They have shuttles (60+min) each way, for $100 gift, which isn’t worth it.
Featured Image is Moana Surfrider across the street from the Sheraton, through their pool area. It was a lovely picture so I thought it be the headline. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which, should you click through and/or make a purchase, grant me a commission. Also, I only post in the best interest of my readers. Lastly, thank you for supporting my blog and my travels.
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That’s an awful property. Even us locals stay away when “playing tourist.” The owners are currently going through the approval process to tear down the property and build a completely new tower.
Why are you showing the Moana Surfrider as the top/intro picture on a review of the Princess Kaiulani?
Sorry I didn’t make this clear, but I saw this nice view walking through the Princess Kaiulani pool area and thought it nice enough to headline. Nothing in the SPK would have made for a good featured image.
The “View walking through Hotel to street” is also an SPG property, The Moana Surfrider…far superior and well worth the $/points.
Agree will have to check out next time.
It is a much superior property but usually 2x or 3x the price.
Agreed!
Short on details more a rushed “review” appears you never really use anything but the bed and bathroom, interesting. It appears you did not get one of the fully renovated rooms, could you specify ? That would be helpful. When you checked in at the “long lines” no SPG/Marriott checkin? what was the date of stay? Reason of interest as I have an upcoming stay
You have a upcoming stay? Do yourself a favor and stay at either of the Hyatt’s or the Marriott that are all located in Honolulu. That Sheraton is dated and does not have the “Aloha” feel that you will be looking for…There is a comprehensive review of that hotel on YouTube, by someone called Yellow Productions, I have nothing to do with the channel, I just find the person review to be comprehensive and honest
Agree – stay anywhere else.
Thanks for reading, I used the room of course, as well as checked out the property – fitness center, timeshare desk, front desk, bar area, lounging pool area, entertainment. I would definitely agree not a renovated room and when I meant long lines I meant the check in desks themselves are physically very long. I will update my post to be clearer.