Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel

With its oceanfront location and boppy 1950s decor, Aston Waikiki Circle feels like a like a throwback Waikiki hotel blended with a modern mid-range property. It opened in 1962, and subsequent renovations have preserved and improved upon its original charm. It’s a petite and -- as the name implies -- circular hotel built to resemble a Chinese lantern. Curved hallways and their floors are inlaid with cute, colorful starfish and shells that trace the building’s cylindrical core. Squint a bit and the elevator looks like an aquarium, with its hyper-saturated photos of colorful reefs and brightly-colored colored panels. This isn't exactly the kind of Waikiki hotel where you'll come to socialize or drink away the afternoon. In fact, there aren't any communal areas, except for the waiting area at the busy, independently owned on-site restaurant. Guests run the gamut, but during our late 2017 visit we mostly spotted couples from across Asia, plus mainlanders on vacation. Families are also frequent guests, but less so than at other Waikiki properties (notably, those with pools). 

Aston Waikiki Circle is located along Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki’s bustling main thoroughfare. The beach is directly across the street, and there are tons of shops, restaurants, and tourist haunts all up and down the avenue. Honolulu Zoo is a quick two-minute drive or seven-minute walk from the hotel along Waikiki's boardwalk. The aquarium is just a bit farther -- a three-minute car ride or 13-minute stroll. Located at the far end of Waikiki, Diamond Head State Monument has great hikes with amazing Waikiki and Honolulu views from its peak. The trailheads are only a five-minute drive away. Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, and the Iolani Palace (Hawaiian royalty’s former home) are roughly 18-minute drives from Aston Waikiki. Set in a protected cove, gorgeous Hanuama Bay Beach is around 30 minutes away by car. It's the same drive time in the opposite direction to the Pearl Harbor monuments. Oahu's laid back North Shore surf beaches are a beautiful 50- to 60-minute car trip from the Aston Waikiki. Plan on 20 minutes to reach Honolulu International Airport, although traffic usually slows things down during rush hour.

Aston Waikiki’s air-conditioned guest rooms have fun, tropically inspired interiors with lots of color and quirks (the good kind). Walls are a mix of pastel greens and yellows, while a wide swath of turquoise traces the ceiling. Carpeted floors are also turquoise and patterned with wisps of seaweed. It's a look that's modern rather than tacky. Guest rooms have two platform double beds with bubble-patterned headboards, turquoise bed runners, and fish-pattern throw pillows. Standard features include 32-inch TVs with cable channels, Sony PlayStation 3s, desks, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea pods, mini-fridges, and iHome iPod docks. All rooms have balconies with two chairs, and some have fabulous ocean views. Closets hold safes, irons, and ironing boards. Keep in mind that the circular hotel shape means that room layouts can be a bit odd and cramped -- as in the unit we had in late 2017. Bathrooms are a little tight and only have stand-up showers and compact vanities. A sand shovel and pail, plus free local calls, come with all rooms. Wi-Fi is included with mandatory resort fees.

Aston Waikiki Circle doesn’t offer many amenities, but still charges a mandatory resort fee, which is disappointing to say the least. In the lobby, there’s a tour and activity desk. There’s also a DVD machine for renting movies and video games. Free beach towels are available as are daily newspapers. Near the lobby, there's a rack full of left-behind boogie boards, rafts, umbrellas, and beach chairs (all free and available on a first-come-first-served basis). Surfboards can also be stored on the rack. The independently owned Eggs ‘N Things, located on-site, serves up American food and hotel guests receive a discount. Keep in mind that breakfasts there can be incredibly busy. There’s no laundry room, but laundry service is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is included in the resort fee, but parking -- while available -- is not.