Set at the Diamond Head end of Honolulu’s famous Waikiki Beach on the main drag of Kalakaua Avenue, the views from the 4-star Park Shore Waikiki are blinding. Think the white sand and incandescent blue of Waikiki Beach in the shadow of the famously hollowed Diamond Head Crater (also know as Le‘ahi in Hawaiian). With its proximity to so many attractions, Park Shore Waikiki is ideal for a stay on O‘ahu’s most famous stretch of sand.
An aerial view of Park Shore Waikiki. (Image: Aqua Hotels & Resorts)
The hotel
Entry to the hotel is just around the corner on Kapahulu Avenue, and the stone façade of the entrance gives way to a welcoming open lobby flooded with natural light and plenty of comfy sofas to sink into. The towers rise up to offer partial or views of Diamond Head Crater and the ocean, as well as the outdoor pool and the nearby Honolulu Zoo.
The Diamond Head Suite has views of - you guessed it – Diamond Head Crater! (Image: Aqua Hotels & Resorts)
The rooms
Our Diamond Head Suite was a generous size, with a king-size bed and a foldout queen-size sofa to accommodate our family of three. From the balcony or lanai, we had a view over the pool and Diamond Head Crater and could also see across to the zoo where we tracked a flock of flamingos around water. The room also offered tea and coffee-making amenities, a mini-fridge and a 42-inch TV as well as a wet bar and plenty of space to relax.
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Stay cool by the pool and also watch the surfers at Waikiki Beach. (Image: Aqua Hotels & Resorts)
The amenities
As standard with most Honolulu properties, at Park Shore Waikiki there’s a daily hospitality fee (US$20) that allows access to in-room amenities, plus free Wi-Fi access, local calls and a daily newspaper. Within the hotel itself, there’s an outdoor pool with enviable views over Waikiki Beach, BYO inflatable that the ABC Store just outside the hotel will pump up for you. If the lure of the beach is stronger than lounging poolside, the onsite Hans Hedemann Surf School in the lobby will hook you up with lessons on the legendary gentle waves of Waikiki or a SUP boarding experience. There’s also oceanfront yoga or fitness classes offered by the hotel five times a week.
Feeling peckish? Park Shore Waikiki has three dining options: Tucker & Bevvy for on-the-go or picnic options; Lulu’s Waikiki for casual fare and cocktails for breakfast, lunch and dinner in an alfresco space; and Yoshitsune for traditional Japanese cuisine from breakfast through to lunch and dinner. There’s also a nearby Starbucks for an icy Frappuccino fix.
Lounge about the lobby or step out for shopping and sightseeing. (Image: Aqua Hotels & Resorts)
The activities
The hotel’s proximity to the Diamond Head State Monument means there’s no excuse not to tackle the 175 steps up the 232 metre-high volcanic tuff, provided your group is up for the challenge. Close-by Kapiolani Park is ideal if you just want an up-close encounter in the shadow of the crater instead. Kaimana Beach Park, near Park Shore Waikiki, is an ideal family beach that’s protected by a wide reef.
If shopping is more your thing, turn right to wander down the length Kalakaua Avenue to explore the retail options that range from luxury labels to popular high-street brands and beachwear boutiques. There’s also plenty of dining options from grab-and-go juices and branches of the famous Honolulu Cookie Company to bars and restaurants with that enviable Waikiki view.
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