The Best & Affordable Airbnbs in Waikiki
Updated: Aug 9, 2023
Ready to explore the beautiful island of O'ahu? ☺︎
Don't let your stay set you back financially: after doing hours and hours of research, I've found two unbelievable Airbnbs at incredible prices located right in Waikiki!
SAY GOODBYE to outdated hotels with unexciting interiors & small rooms
SAY HELLO to an unforgettable experience without breaking the bank.
Let me make it easy for you - forget spending time researching 100+ places - these two Airbnbs offer unbeatable value & comfort, so all you need worry about is how much sunscreen will be enough!
Best & Affordable Airbnbs on Oahu
Pro:
Walking Distance to the Beach
Con:
Slow & Crowded Elevator
Dirty Windows
Price: $300/ Avg Night (tax & fees included)
Price varies depending on the dates
We definitely hit the jackpot with this place and talk about timing!
Finding such an amazing Airbnb for our Hawaiian adventure only two weeks out? Money well spent if you ask me - ocean views, parking (unheard of here in Waikiki), amenities, AND laundry!? It just doesn't get better than that.
Ocean View: We had to check in at night, after 9 pm, so we didn't get to see the beautiful ocean view, but when we woke up.. we used the automatic shades remote and saw the magical sunrise around 6 am.
When we walked out to the lanai, we saw the Diamond Head sunrise to the left of us. It was a blessing to stay here and see everything Waikiki offers.
Lanai: What is a lanai? Lanai is the Hawaiian word for patio, private deck, or balcony.
Having a lanai at every accommodation is crucial because sitting there and enjoying the view with a cup of coffee/tea is relaxing. This Airbnb has a lanai with two chairs. Also, they stored beach gear, such as mats, beach chairs, and umbrellas, for guests to use.
The natural light from the lanai and window is enough for sunbathing in the living room and even on your bed.
Living Space: The living area has modern amenities, smart tv, sofa/chairs for six people, and a working desk.
Family Friendly: This apartment is perfect for a family of 3-4 with a toddler. They even provide a crib and a pull-out sofa!
My brother ended up staying with us and slept on the pull-out couch. But since we didn't need the crib, it ended up hogging up the space in the living room. I wish there were an option for us to put away the crib.
Kitchen:
The fully-equipped kitchen has anything and everything you need to cook a meal.
My mom loves cooking vegetables at home for the daily fiber. A dining room space is next to the kitchen with a good-sized table perfect for four people. We ate our vegetables and cut up fresh fruit at the table every morning.
Bedroom:
The bedroom is not big and yet not too small for two people. It has a king-size bed with two nightstands on each side.
The best thing about the bedroom is the big window with automatic blinds and the ocean view. There is absolutely nothing to complain about!
[apologies about the wrinkly bed. Pictures were taken on the last day]
Bathroom: I am so in love with the bathroom because of the mirror. The mirror has a defog, Bluetooth, and white light, which is excellent for makeup. Also, it comes with a dual sink, so there is no need to fight to brush your teeth anymore.
There are two doors leading to the bathroom. One entry is from the bedroom, and the other is from the living room. This can be convenient for bigger families. We weren't using the crib, so our only option was to move it to the door connected to the living room.
Elevators: One of the downsides of living at Waikiki Banyan is the elevator. There were only four elevators, and during our stay, one was broken. There were times when we had to wait 5-8 minutes to hop on the elevator. It is a high-rise building, and guests stop at almost every other level.
Building Amenities: There is a shared pool, playground, and bbq area for guests to enjoy on the 6th floor.
Don't worry if you missed out on an afternoon splash! Even after sunset, the pool stays cozy and inviting. But beware - they start enforcing kick-out time from 8 pm sharp so make sure to get your last dives in by then for a truly stress-free experience!
There is a bbq area for guests/residents to grill it up, and it is operated with coins. This is a plus for people traveling as a group to use the bbq area.
The recreational floor has tennis courts for tennis lovers out there!
Laundry Room: There is a shared laundry room on each floor. The washer and dryer are by coins with the option of downloading an app to pay. Honestly, I only checked it out once I got the coins from the front desk. It would've been easier to download the app instead of grabbing coins.
Both the washer and dryer worked very well, and it felt like it was a straightforward process. each machine cost $2.50!
Parking: Please make sure to always find accommodations in Waikiki with included free parking. Of course, you can find garages with additional fees each day, but if you add up the cost, your trip is a few hundred pricier.
Waikiki Banyan has a large garage with 5-6 floors attached to the building. There is no assigned parking space at the garage.
I made a mistake on the first night checking out the first few floors because it was packed. Do yourself a favor and go up to the 5th floor for a parking spot. You will enter the building by elevator anyways, so it doesn't matter if it is on the lower or higher levels.
The GPS will lead you to Ohua Ave, but to enter the Waikiki Banyan, you have to make a left onto Kuhio Ave and another left right after into the garage.
Walking Distance Beach: A short walk from Waikiki Banyan to the nearby beaches, Waikiki Beach and Kuhio Beach, right by shops, eateries, and bars. This beach area has a wall built up, so if you're not a good swimmer, take a swim here.
There are many coffee shops near the apartment along Waikiki Beach.
Pro:
Reasonable Price
Private Studio
Great Location
Air Conditioning
Con:
No Views
Tight Parking Spot (next to a wall)
Price: $301/ Avg Night (tax & fees included)
Price varies depending on the date
When you're in Waikiki, why not stay right at the center of all that delicious action? This studio apartment gives you access to it all - from delicious restaurants and shops only a few minutes away on foot -- plus free parking & unbeatable cleanliness! Smart move.
We can only sometimes rely on Airbnb's review to find out if the apartment is clean, but that's why I'M HERE to let you know.
My first thought about this Airbnb was, "wow, there is no odd odor, clean, and it got everything that I need." They have included many amenities you would need to survive for a few days without buying travel-size items such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets, an umbrella, &, etc.
Heart of Waikiki Airbnb is a studio apartment that perfectly fits two people; the maximum allowed is two people. It is a perfect stay for couples!
Even though it is a studio, two lanais make it feel roomier. The only odd thing is that from the lanai, your view is the parking lot. I don't hate it, but this is not for you if you are more of a view person.
Views: There are absolutely no views at this Airbnb. The view is partially the garage below and hotels across the street.
Don't turn down this Airbnb because of the view. It is still an excellent deal!
Elevator: This building is shorter than the previous one we stayed at, and the advantage is not having to wait for the elevator. There are only two elevators, and it takes less than 1 minute to hop on and off!
Laundry Room: There is a laundry and trash room on every floor. The washer and dryer cost less than $3. Each load is less than around $1.25-$1.50 per wash/dry. The laundry card is loaded with bills on the main floor, which is much better than finding quarters to fill up the washer.
Bathroom: A large bathroom near the entrance with two sinks and a stand-up shower. I'm not going to lie. I was amazed by the little closet in the bathroom because of the things they provided. It had laundry detergents, a safe box, bath robes, a fan, an iron, and beach towels.
Kitchen: This is considered a fully-equipped kitchen since we could do everything we needed, such as cooking, making coffee, and heating food. They have two elements electric cooktop with no vent. It is not the best if you want to cook a full-on meal since it would get smokey in there.
It was nice that they included a microwave and a toaster oven on top of it, but it was on the bar table, blocking a light switch and power outlet.
Pool: The pool area is next to our parking spot and on the same floor as the studio. We were curious if the pool was well kept because we never saw anyone there. It is nice to have a pool but go to the beach if you want to go for a swim.
Parking: As you've read above, I must stress again about having free parking in Waikiki. This Airbnb has assigned parking spaces at the garage, which is great for anyone worried about not getting a parking spot.
If you're looking for a peaceful night's sleep, maybe skip this spot. We had an absolute riot of partying and screaming during our stay over Thanksgiving weekend!
It felt like we were living next to Times Square! But don't write off the place just yet: things calmed down by the last two nights, so if you can hold out that long, everything might be okay.
If you're looking for an unforgettable getaway to Oahu, don't settle for staying at a boring run-of-the-mill hotel!
Hotels can be too expensive with resort fees. Airbnbs offer varying experiences depending on location - from luxurious hideaways for couples' romantic escapes to cost-effective stays ideal for budgeters or solo adventurers – and then there are vacation home rentals if you're looking for something special!
With so many options, no one should feel limited in their search; I highly suggest whichever suits them best, as both styles have much to offer.
Love this type of review! Please do more so I have references for my future trips!
definitely gonna use this for my next Hawaii trip thanks!
Thank you for this detailed review!!!
I like this a lot, thank you for sharing