Sheraton Waikiki

The Sheraton is the big kahuna on this section of the beach, and even locals come to hit the waves and the bars here. Humming with activity, the grounds are crowded with guests and bustling with attendees to everything from tech conventions to body building competitions. The Rum Fire bar is a hot spot and watering hole for the surrounding area. Guests surf or lounge by day with views to Diamond Head and stay for the nightlife, which includes the fireworks show every Friday night just down the beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The oceanfront location is in the heart of Waikiki. The Sheraton is flanked by luxury hotels on either side, including its sister property, The Royal Hawaiian, and bordered inland by the touristy Kalakaua Avenue -- a busy stretch of shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels. Diamond Head, Ala Wai golf course, and the Honolulu Zoo are all short drives (10 minutes or less), and Honolulu International Airport is just a 20- to 25-minute cab ride away.

The large rooms are notable for their spare contemporary style (some might say bland), and the mostly excellent views are the real focus. Ocean- or mountain-view rooms on higher floors have the best vantage point and suffer less from the noise other rooms might receive from crowds or live music. Brand hallmarks such as the Sweet Sleeper Bed with hypoallergenic pillows are standard, but the rooms lack modern features such as iPod docks. Standard Rooms have an absence of some furniture, such as extra chairs or functional desks. The Standard Rooms with City View are the most affordable, but they lack the best feature available here -- great views. It's worth the upgrade for an outlook of mountains or ocean.

Built for both families and the convention crowd, the hotel is brimming with entertainment and business amenities alike. In addition to the numerous shops, the lobby houses Link @ Sheraton with free Wi-Fi and computers for guests. The Xerox Business Center, stocked with computers and high speed Internet, even offers printing, shipping, and design services. Depending on the time of year, the property’s enormous ballroom may be hosting a wedding, a concert, or a convention. The fitness center is windowless, but spacious and modern.There are multiple restaurants, and all feature some locally grown ingredients on their menus. Yoshiya serves tasty Japanese fare (come on the late side for discounted prices), while Rum Fire serves lunch, dinner, and vintage rum alongside outdoor fire pits. For families, the Helumoa Playground area offers two freshwater pools, a 70-foot water slide, and lounge chairs. For those who would rather relax without the little ones, Poppins Daycare is available for kids 12 and under. An adult-only Infinity pool is marked by its incredible view of Waikiki Bay; the adjacent pool bar serves tasty appetizers ("pupus") and cocktails.