Waikiki Malia

The rooms were clean, everything worked, and the service was friendly. I also noticed several Japanese-speaking staff on duty. Elevators need a room key to go up, which adds some security. The pool is small but cozy, good for a small group. They were meant to clean rooms every 2-3 days, but checked on me every other day instead, which was great. IHOP is just yards from the entrance, and the sports bar Rivals is about 8 ft away. Microwave access was awkward. They only had them on two floors, the seventh and ninth, I believe. I was on the eleventh floor, and the one I needed was two floors down, at the far end of the hall from the elevators, built right into the wall. There wasn’t a table or anywhere to set food down. Still, I’d recommend the hotel to people visiting Honolulu.

There were insects in the rooms I was moved to, including spiders and ants, and I suspected there might be bed bugs too. The rooms also smelled unpleasant, and the kitchen appliances, especially the suite stove, were grimy and poorly cleaned. Moving me several times didn’t solve any of it, so these seemed like ongoing property problems. The staff response didn’t really resolve my concerns either. The building itself is noticeably old and seems badly in need of renovation. For the rates, I expected more comfort and value. The cleanliness, maintenance, pest issues, and lack of an effective response made the stay deeply unpleasant. I wouldn’t book here again, and other guests may run into the same problems.

The people were nice, but don’t expect a bargain just because you picked one of the lower priced options on Priceline or Expedia. You may get a remodeled room that’s already had two years of use, with furnishings that feel motel quality. It’s a budget stay, so if you can handle a motel that might feel a bit creepy and don’t mind travel being a struggle, this could suit you. The pool and sauna are sad. They shouldn’t be there.

The hotel is decent for the price, and getting around on foot was easy. The beach and plenty of other places were close by, which made the location a real plus. Service was amazing too. When some guests were making an outrageous amount of noise late one evening, staff dealt with it right away. I’d happily stay at Waikiki Malia again when I’m back in October 2026.