We just stayed in Aqua Lotus and we chose it, because of its excellent reviews on Tripadvisor.
The hotel is good, no doubt. Located about 15 Minutes walking distance to the first Hotels and Shops of Waikiki Beach. But I have to take take off points for following down sides:

- no sea view. only view to park, Diamond Head or a parking lot of other buildings at the beach
- the building is a beton square, beautiful inside but not from the outside, no green area.
- the rooms were noisy (wind and fridge, etc.)
- slow wifi
- there were no shops nearby, thats ok. But to charge guest 4.50 US for a croissant at breakfast is no service!! They do have a restaurant but last week it was closed.
- it was too cold in the lobby area, freezing!
- i asked the lobby for island weather (cause it was raining in Honolulu and we wanted to escape) and he looked at his Iphone (for Honolulu!) and sayed it was just a bit of rain. That was it!
I have an I phone as well..

It was a good hotel, the people were really nice, the rooms beautiful, BUT its not the best hotel you can stay at in Honolulu for that price.

This hotel is off the beaten path. So if you want the crush of humanity that is Waikiki, be aware. It is tucked in between the ocean, a park and Diamondhead. Everywhere you look is a great view, and we could see all three from our tenth floor corner room (requested). And it is only a ten minute walk to all that is Waikiki, so we had goo food and nightlife within walking distance. They also provide free bicycles, free wine in the afternoon, free coffee in the morning, free beach towels. They have a funky/quirky vibe here and it is very relaxed.

No pool and no fitness room, but so what.

I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel IF you don't mind walking about fifteen minutes to the heart of the action in Waikiki. The hotel is across from Kapiolani park, which is populated by locals, morning joggers, and yoga and tai chi devotees. If you walk about ten minutes in the other direction, away from the center of Waikiki, you're in a cute neighborhood of 1930s bungalows. Kaimana Beach is a minute's walk away, and although it's public (as are all the beaches in Hawaii), it feels almost private. Next door in the New Otani hotel, the Hau Tree restaurant is a real delight for breakfast and lunch. If all of this appeals to you, don't hesitate to book this hotel.

In addition to the location, the Aqua Lotus has a lot of other things going for it. It used to be the W, so it's bright and modern (except for the lobby!), with wooden floors, super comfy bed, and a small but good bathroom. Alas, no bathtub. The view of the ocean is blocked, but depending on your room, you can still see it. And you can most certainly request a room with a dramatic and VERY close-up view of Diamond Head. (Our corner room on the eleventh floor had both aspects.)

The housekeeping is excellent. It's impossible in Waikiki not to bring a lot of sand back into your hotel room, no matter how careful you are. Housekeeping somehow managed to vacuum it all up every day, even the sand on the lanai (balcony). Our room was kept spotless.

The front desk is friendly and helpful. Small gripe -- our flight was delayed so we didn't arrive at the hotel until 4 a.m., and we had to wait a few minutes until someone showed up at the desk. But . . . it was 4 a.m., after all. You can get beach towels and other beach gear from the front desk.

There are other pluses, which other reviewers have mentioned. We love the location, so we'll definitely use this hotel again.

One final thought. This side of Waikiki has some vagrants. But they don't panhandle, and they don't really bother anyone.

The Aqua Lotus is a peaceful place near a quiet beach. Morning coffee and afternoon wine is served complimentary. The staff is friendly and very efficient. Valet parking is mandatory and $20 per day. The staff knows you by name from the first day and gets you car as soon as they see you. The only food available is a limited continental breakfast on the second floor. There is a beachfront cafe about a 10-15 minute walk away, otherwise you have to drive somewhere to eat. It's only a 10Min drive to Waikiki.