Waikiki Monarch Hotel

The room smelled awful, and the odor just lingered in my nose. This is an old hotel converted for residents and apartment owners, and the building feels like it’s falling apart. The furniture was genuinely from the 1970s, not just in that style. You have to take your own trash out or they charge $100, and housekeeping only comes every three days. The website said valet parking was free, but I was charged $50 a night for four nights. I’ve traveled all over and have never seen a hotel this run down. I should’ve read the reviews first. Don’t stay here.

There were roaches all over the room last night, and I couldn’t sleep. My son was bitten and his legs are swollen. The location is convenient, close to everything, but I’ll never stay here again.

The rooms were clean, but small, and the hard tile floors were a first for me. The pool isn’t heated; there are two small jacuzzi tubs in the pool area, but only one was warm. I wouldn’t choose this place if I planned to spend much time in the room or make frequent trips back to it. For a bed and a place to wash up, it’ll do. I booked it as a cheap overnight between flights. Next time I’ll pay more to stay elsewhere. There are six elevators, but only two were working, one for the upper floors and one serving the first 24. On another trip, I found two out of service too, so the elevator trouble seems ongoing.

The rooms are dated, but clean, and the pool area and hot tubs were clean too. The front desk staff were wonderful and friendly, and security seemed on top of things. There’s a coffee shop where they make coffee and fresh croissants on site. Skip the store and walk over to the 7/11. The food trucks across the street are great, and Brewers pub has good food and great beer. Parking will cost you $50 a day. The room had a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot.