We stayed at Aqua Bamboo 3 years ago and loved it so we thought we'd try another Aqua property. We stayed here for 8 nights at the end of November 2012.

Property:
Because of a very long travel day for us (got up at 4AM, 7AM flight cancelled after 4 hour delay, rebooked and finally arrived in Hawaii 9 hours later than expected) the first thing I noticed was that the beds were uncomfortable. They are really soft and if you have someone else sleeping with you in the bed you can feel it every time they move. We kind of got used to them though.

About half way through our stay, there seemed to be problems with the plumbing on the room directly above us. There was a loud noise coming from directly above which sounded like someone was sawing something. We called down to the front desk but they let us know that there was a clog in the tub and they were doing maintenance. However, after that incident, our shower pressure seemed to have weakened and it was quite poor by the time we left.

As every other person has mentioned, the elevators were slow and one was under renovation. From the reviews, it seems like they've been renovating over the month. They are certainly in no hurry to get it done.

The hotel is loud, from the automated parking garage next door to the drunk people yelling during and through the night to the garbage trucks dumping multiple trash bins at 5AM. The windows are thin and don't help. Ear plugs are a must and I'm not usually a light sleeper on vacation.

Service:
The front desk staff were fine, except one employee who I asked where we could catch the trolley to Ala Moana Center. He replied by telling us to take the regular bus even though it's $0.50 cents more. He claimed that the trolley only comes once an hour and the $0.50 cents is worth it not to have to wait. Fair enough... except after we left we wanted to check out the trolley anyway and found out the trolley comes once every 10 minutes!!! On another occasion we asked for a beach towel and they had run out. Not impressed, but fine, I guess it happens. We went back up and got towels from the housekeeper. The very next day we were walking out and the same employee is yelling at us saying he has towels today. I understand he's trying to be helpful, but to try and catch our attention as we walk past for something we were looking for the previous day isn't appreciated.

No issues with housekeeping. They did a great job although I found it odd that they left their cleaning cart in the hallway all day everyday (see the picture). Never seen that at any hotel.

Location:
Location-wise, very good. Close to the International Market, a short walk to the beach and across from Marukame Udon, an inexpensive and delicious noodle place.

Overall, I expected better because Aqua Bamboo had set the bar high. Aqua Waikiki Wave's beds are soft and the rooms are noisy. I'd probably search for another hotel on my next visit.

Lastly, I would like to thank William who kindly helped us with our luggage at departure and had a genuine concern when our shuttle was running a bit late.

This is my 9th time to waikiki and second time I stayed at the aqua wave. The first time I stayed there I didn't have any problems this was about 4 years ago. I recently got back and had various issues with the hotel. First, when a transfer or taxi drops you off you have to hurry off because there is no drop zone, second I arrived very tired about noon and had to wait 2.5 hours more to finally check into my room which wasn't ready at the time. Third, they have two elevators and one was broken so they had to open up a service elevator which was extremely inconvenient because groups of people would be squeezing into an elevator at a time and stopping at every floor some time a 5 minute or more wait to get into a elevator.fourth, I stayed on the 9th floor and hardly got any sleep even though the hotel provides you with ear plugs there are three major night clubs on kuhio one across the street and one right next door and down the street, so from 10p, till 4:30 am there's a lot of noise screaming, shouting, fights, music and not to mention a parking lot right there so there are car lights constantly shinning in the room I know that could've been solved by shutting the curtains but I enjoyed the little view I did have. Also coming home at night after 10 is a little sketchy because there are a lot of drunks and shady looking people hanging around the hotel,my last complaint is the bathroom after a long day at the beach one would want to take a shower but the bathroom had no fan which made showers even hotter, only pro I have for this hotel is the staff they were nice and friendly.

Stayed for 4 nights. Thankfully it was no longer. They did provide ear plugs, but not very comfortable to sleep with. Service was very good, and we were able to check in early.
Hotel is very conveniently located, but far too noisy. Planning another trip to Honolulu, and definately not staying here again.

Stayed here on a friends referral,and not happy at all..both sides of the building face car parks (one is a moving platform that puts your car up at height).my biggest complaint is a garbage truck that comes at 4:30am everyday down below and stays for about an hour making so much noise you WILL be woken up.thought staying o e street of the strip would be quieter but I was wrong because we stayed at the circle on the strip and it was quiet! Also the bottom floors seem to be taken by some permanent residents and there was arguments.slamming doors and even heard a dog barking in one room...just not good enough I say...