Downtown Honolulu
Downtown Honolulu
4
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Neighborhood: Downtown Honolulu
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1,269 within 3 miles
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398 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
482 reviews
Excellent
147
Very good
172
Average
111
Poor
31
Terrible
21
SteveD
Brea, CA11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Old, run down is an understatement! We did not venture out from our hotel unless we went in our car to our places we wanted to visit. We drove to Waimea falls, Noth Shore, Dole Plantation and more but that’s it. Everywhere else we saw in the way was a catastrophe.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RSM
1 contribution
May 2018 • Family
First, I am an architecture/construction professional. For being one of the most expensive areas in the US and for being a jewel of our great nation, Honolulu looks more like a 3rd world country than an American city. Outdated architecture and run down buildings are abundant. I drove around the entire island and it's the same or worse. Resorts like Aulani are oasis of heaven and reflect what Hawaii should be like. The homeless are present and they are human beings who should be helped. But there is no excuse for the poor condition of the city's architecture... don't be fooled by the panorama view from 3 miles away. More than disappointing, it was sad, depressing. The people are wonderful, they deserve better.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy S
Henderson7 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
My husband and I were here for a job interview. While he was meeting with the company I visted DT Honolulu. It's basically a bunch of overpriced shops on a dirty beach. It's sad that it has changed so much over the years. There is so much poverty. So many homeless people. It almost seems like the city simply doesn't care about these people. They have tents set up everywhere with all their belongings stacked up against the tents and chained to trees. There were people all strung out with holes in their arms. Trash cans were overflowing with trash. There was a half naked lady floating in the marina. She was so strung out. The cops came and asked her if she was okay. She told them she was fine, but she clearly was not. He didn't do anything for her until I argued with him. They finally pulled her out of the water and wrapped her in a yellow plastic bag and sent her walking. She had no underwear, no pants and no shoes. She may have been "another junkie" but who is to say someone had not raped her and that's why her clothes were missing. She seemed like she was in utter shock. If we had spent our hard earned money to come to Oahu I would have been devastated. I am certainly glad I did not bring my children here.
We also visited Kailua Beach which was beautiful. A little slice of heaven. Awesome for kids and kayaking. The drive from Honolulu to Kailua was stunning. If you go to Oahu stay on the windward side or by the North Shore. Stay AWAY from Honolulu!
We also visited Kailua Beach which was beautiful. A little slice of heaven. Awesome for kids and kayaking. The drive from Honolulu to Kailua was stunning. If you go to Oahu stay on the windward side or by the North Shore. Stay AWAY from Honolulu!
Written February 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennyRN
Pickering, Canada67 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Honolulu has changed over the years and not for the better. Homeless use tropical parrots to make money and they abuse them - I am a parrot Mom so this did not sit well with me - the other parts of Oahu are much more worth seeing and trying staying in other places than Waikiki - Can't believe they took away the International Market Place - that was one of THE things to do when you went. So just my two cents - I won't go back.
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RockRiddle
Honolulu, Hawaii15 contributions
Sep 2012
I have to say, while it feels moderately safe there are a lot of crazy people walking around. But the smell of urine and feces, mixed in with occasional marijuana is just not pleasant. And parking is obscene. Plan on $40+ if you are there during peak hours.
Written September 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve w
Sydney, Australia688 contributions
Jun 2019
We recently traveled back to Hawaii staying in Waikiki . This was our 5th trip over many years and we relised we had never been downtown. We caught a cab from Waikiki about $20 US to the Iolani Palace and this was the highlight of the area. From here we walked further downtown to China Town, the street were old, tired and many homeless people living along them .China town felt unsafe and in disrepair. I would not recommend the are other than the palace and parks around it if you were considering going to this area.
Written June 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa P
Woodridge, IL644 contributions
Feb 2018
I was not impressed. If it were not for a lay over and to see Pearl Harbor missing Oahu would be no big thing. The other islands are so much prettier. To me the downtown area of Oahu is just like being in any city in the US - stores and crowds of people. The only difference the ocean is right there. If you have to limit your island hopping - really Oahu would be the one to take off your list!
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan H
Iqaluit, Canada33 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
you will be wasting your time, it was not what i expected..it just seems it was not as vibrant as other big American cities..we walked around and the only thing that ever stood out was the strung out people or drunk..one women was sitting on a bus bench just flipping out like she saw the devil..we were there in the morning ..so cant comment on the night sence.
Written January 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl B
Honolulu, HI407 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
One of the things that I notice is that many confuse "downtown" Honolulu with Waikiki. They are totally different and miles apart. When I see "tourist trap" or some of the other reviews and thoughts, it seems clear that itʻs not really downtown. Separating the two is easy. Downtown Honolulu has the historical places, Iolani Palace, Kamehameha Statue, the Supreme Court building, our 100 + year State Library. One can even walk into the Capitol building and see the Governorʻs office or into the seat of the city and county government. There is also Kawaiahao Church and the Mission Houses. Just a few blocks to the west and one can see the State Art Museum.. continuing to walk one will be in Chinatown. Plenty of food and lots to see there as well. So, when on Oʻahu make sure to visit "downtown" Honolulu at some point as well as Waikiki for two totally different experiences.
Written January 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RSStone
Olympia, WA183 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Whether or not you'll enjoy downtown Honolulu really depends on how you feel about crowds. Neither my husband nor I are fans so, for us, Honolulu's narrow streets, traffic situation and compactness feel as crowded as downtown NYC.
So, for those like us, here are tips for enjoying downtown Honolulu:
(1) AT ALL COST, stay off the freeway and downtown streets from early in the morning (before 9 am) and late in the afternoon (get out before 3 pm). Visit 9:30 - 2:30. We weren't there during the weekend, so unsure if this applies then.
(2) Park as soon as you can and enjoy downtown on foot. There are a couple of fun shopping areas (including the Waikiki Beach Walk)-- but, like all cities, the boutiques are pricy. After hunting for Hawaiian shirts and sarongs in the boutiques, we visited Long's Drug and an ABC store and found comparable items at HALF the cost.
(3) If you need a restroom, the locals will direct you to the Hard Rock Café Hotel. I'm not sure why. There are lovely restrooms on the second floor of the Lewers Street Waikiki Beach Walk.
(4) We visited the Iolani Palace downtown using our Go Card-Oahu. Our best tip for saving money is to purchase a Go Card (one, two, three or five-days). We paid one price and had 32 options for enjoying the island, including Iolani Palace bike rentals, scooter rentals, beach chair rentals, Makani catamaran cruise and much more, all downtown. The Pearl Harbor exhibits and many other attractions also are offered through the card.
(5) If you don't like crowds, the best place to enjoy downtown Honolulu is from the water. Take a cruise! There are many choices. If you like to party, take the sunset Pirate Ship Cruise. If you're like us and like things quiet, try the Makani Sunset dinner cruise. On Friday nights, you get the added treat of fireworks.
(6) All Hawaii beaches are open to the public, so don't feel shy to walk onto the beach at one of the five-star hotels downtown. The beach chairs may require a rental fee, but the sand and surf are public and free.
Finally, rather than stay at a downtown hotel, consider staying at a 5-star hotel outside of downtown and visit Honolulu when you feel like it. We paired that with a rental car and had a fabulous Oahu experience. We stayed further away in Kapolei at the Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club and loved it.
So, for those like us, here are tips for enjoying downtown Honolulu:
(1) AT ALL COST, stay off the freeway and downtown streets from early in the morning (before 9 am) and late in the afternoon (get out before 3 pm). Visit 9:30 - 2:30. We weren't there during the weekend, so unsure if this applies then.
(2) Park as soon as you can and enjoy downtown on foot. There are a couple of fun shopping areas (including the Waikiki Beach Walk)-- but, like all cities, the boutiques are pricy. After hunting for Hawaiian shirts and sarongs in the boutiques, we visited Long's Drug and an ABC store and found comparable items at HALF the cost.
(3) If you need a restroom, the locals will direct you to the Hard Rock Café Hotel. I'm not sure why. There are lovely restrooms on the second floor of the Lewers Street Waikiki Beach Walk.
(4) We visited the Iolani Palace downtown using our Go Card-Oahu. Our best tip for saving money is to purchase a Go Card (one, two, three or five-days). We paid one price and had 32 options for enjoying the island, including Iolani Palace bike rentals, scooter rentals, beach chair rentals, Makani catamaran cruise and much more, all downtown. The Pearl Harbor exhibits and many other attractions also are offered through the card.
(5) If you don't like crowds, the best place to enjoy downtown Honolulu is from the water. Take a cruise! There are many choices. If you like to party, take the sunset Pirate Ship Cruise. If you're like us and like things quiet, try the Makani Sunset dinner cruise. On Friday nights, you get the added treat of fireworks.
(6) All Hawaii beaches are open to the public, so don't feel shy to walk onto the beach at one of the five-star hotels downtown. The beach chairs may require a rental fee, but the sand and surf are public and free.
Finally, rather than stay at a downtown hotel, consider staying at a 5-star hotel outside of downtown and visit Honolulu when you feel like it. We paired that with a rental car and had a fabulous Oahu experience. We stayed further away in Kapolei at the Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club and loved it.
Written January 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raven G
Chicago, Illinois
Me and my husband are thinking about going here for our anniversary.. Is it romantic???
Written February 21, 2018
Very romantic. Definitely do a luau to celebrate
Written March 3, 2018
Hi, we are coming back to Honolulu for the 3rd time from Australia and loved the International markets in the centre of everything. The last time we visited it had just closed for Hotel to be built. Have they moved to another location or is that the end of an era for the wonderful makets?
Written May 26, 2016
The international market place is closed until late August 2016 for refurbishment. It was completely closed when I was there in February and all torn up inside. I'm not sure how they will finish by their projected completion date, but the sign said August 2016. Hope this answers your question.
Written May 26, 2016
Madina C
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Hey Guys I was wondering do you guys hire Russian speaking employees from different countries and sponsor a work visa?
Written August 29, 2015
You can contact the US Immigration about a work visa. If you are fluent in English you could always find a job as a translator. Good luck.
Written August 30, 2015
Madina C
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Hey Guys I was wondering do you guys hire Russian speaking employees from different countries and sponsor a work visa?
Written August 29, 2015
Quite a few Russians and Czechs have moved here recently, and are employable with the right paperwork..
Written August 29, 2015
Hi we are planning a special birthday party and expecting approximately 30 guests (four aged between 10 and 14). We have never been to Hawaii - we are planning to stay in Waikiki.
Any suggestions for the perfect restaurant/ bar with sea views for a private function (dinner / drinks / music ) that is mid range in $$.
Written January 24, 2015
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