Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head

We booked an ocean-view room, but the view was mostly a parking lot, with two high-rises in front and maybe a narrow sliver of ocean between them. We didn’t spend time on the balcony. I also hadn’t realized the hotel wasn’t on the beach. You have to walk around another resort to reach it, and there are no loungers, so bring a towel. There’s no pool at the hotel either, and we used an app to pay for access to pools at other hotels. That was a big mistake on my part. There are better hotels, and at a Hawaiian resort I’d make sure it’s beachfront with an ocean view. When we went to the restaurant for sushi, the chef was out sick, so there wasn’t any. The food we did get was outstanding, I think it was pasta. There are only two elevators, so the wait can be long.

The Lotus is in a prime spot, quiet and away from Waikiki’s bustle, with the beach just steps away. The staff are courteous and friendly, and the room was clean, though it didn’t look as nice as the photos. The Garden View rooms are on the third floor, reached by open-air corridors like a motel, with no air conditioning there or in the elevator. The two-double-bed room may not suit you if you dislike a softer mattress that sinks in the middle. There’s a gardenia floral scent in the lobby, so keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to fragrance. At $229 a night, I thought the price was reasonable for Waikiki, but the place has a basic hotel or motel feel, not a luxury one.

The in-house coffee shop is amazing, and the restaurant is great too. Staff were very welcoming and went above and beyond. There’s a nice lobby with a golf and football simulator and some games. The hotel is right by a private beach, about a minute’s walk away, and they provide towels and chairs to rent for free.

Near Kapi'olani Park and Diamond Head, the location feels calm while still being walkable to the beach and local places to eat. It’s a nice, peaceful boutique alternative to the busier nearby resorts. The rooms have a modern, tranquil design, and many have beautiful views of the coast or mountains. Staff are welcoming and offer personal service that makes the stay feel relaxed and special.