Pros

  • Fabulous location near beach in Waikiki
  • Rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers; some have kitchenettes
  • Small pool and separate 10th-floor sundeck
  • Free Wi-Fi (though it's not high-speed)
  • On-site restaurant and popular gay bar
  • Multiple coin-operated washers and dryers available
  • Non-smoking rooms (designated smoking areas)
  • Computer/printer provided
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Cons

  • No daily maid service; only once every three days
  • No free parking (available for fee under hotel)
  • No gym, spa, or business center
  • Complaints of roaches and beetles
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Bottom Line

Location and value pricing are the top reasons for selecting to stay at the mid-sized, two-and-a-half pearl Castle Waikiki Grand Hotel. Just half a block from the beach, across the street from the Honolulu Zoo, and within walking distance of Diamond Head, this property couldn't be more conveniently placed. The rooms here are actually privately owned vacation studios, so amenities vary, though decor is generally uninspired and dated. A pool and separate roof deck are on hand and the LGBT-friendly vibe is evident both there and at the on-site Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, one of Waikiki's most popular gay bars.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Castle Waikiki Grand Hotel

Scene

Relaxed beach vibe with some interior flair

This LGBT-friendly hotel is perfect for beach lovers since it's only one minute from the shore. The property itself was built in the 1960s, but it’s clean and well-maintained (though you may encounter roaches and beetles since this is an island). The facade looks a bit like you're pulling up to a retro South Beach hotel in Miami, and the lobby is bright and airy with lots of off-white marble and tropical prints. A Buddha statue is offset by wooden furnishings and a random grand piano also makes an appearance. Hallways have painted frescoes of Diamond Head, while stunning views of the real thing are available throughout the property. At the quieter end of Waikiki, the feeling here is more subdued than that found at other properties, but there are plenty of activities to be reached within minutes.

See More Scene

Location

Near the beach toward the Diamond Head end of Waikiki

Situated directly across the street from Kapiolani Beach Park and the Honolulu Zoo, this property is also only half a block from the beach and within walking distance of Diamond Head trails. Downtown Honolulu is just a few miles away. In other words, this location is pretty much a perfect starting point for exploring the area. Many other restaurants and shops are within walking distance as well and Honolulu International Airport is less than 20 minutes northwest by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Dated but generally clean with decent amenities

The rooms here are definitely showing their age, even though many of the privately owned domiciles have been updated. The good news is that guest units are generally kept clean; the bad news is that you will also have to keep them that way yourself during your stay as there’s no daily maid service. (Depending on what room you book, cleaning occurs typically about once every three days.) Room decor is minimal and floors are predominantly tiled. The beds are serviceable but not super comfy and the linens/coverlets are a bit cheap. The bathrooms are small, but most have shower/tub combos (though some have showers only) along with hairdryers. Rooms include free Wi-Fi but connections are slow. Flat-screen TVs are also standard. 

Because these units aren’t standardized, there’s significant variability in amenities: While all rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers, only some have full kitchenettes, balconies, and gorgeous views. Stand-alone air-conditioning units keep guests cool, but they can be noisy. And all rooms are old-school in that you'll actually have to keep track of a key to get in.

See More Rooms

Features

Small pool and sundeck along with a burger joint and a happening gay bar

This property does have a small pool but it doesn't seem to get much use. Nor does it have enough sun loungers for guests. However, there is a 10th-floor sundeck with views of Diamond Head where sun worshipers hang out if they aren't at the beach. 

Multiple coin-operated laundry machines make it possible for guests to pack light. There’s no free parking at the hotel, and the "reserved" spaces underneath the property are pricey and sometimes taken even when guests have supposedly paid for the spot. 

Teddy's Bigger Burgers -- the on-site burger joint -- is very popular and was even voted "Hawaii's Best Burger" for five years straight. The venue’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. On the second floor you'll find Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, which happens to be one of the area's most fun gay bars. For those staying in this LGBT-friendly domain, that makes for the shortest commute home ever after a night of living it up

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Castle Waikiki Grand Hotel

Scene

Relaxed beach vibe with some interior flair

This LGBT-friendly hotel is perfect for beach lovers since it's only one minute from the shore. The property itself was built in the 1960s, but it’s clean and well-maintained (though you may encounter roaches and beetles since this is an island). The facade looks a bit like you're pulling up to a retro South Beach hotel in Miami, and the lobby is bright and airy with lots of off-white marble and tropical prints. A Buddha statue is offset by wooden furnishings and a random grand piano also makes an appearance. Hallways have painted frescoes of Diamond Head, while stunning views of the real thing are available throughout the property. At the quieter end of Waikiki, the feeling here is more subdued than that found at other properties, but there are plenty of activities to be reached within minutes.

See More Scene

Location

Near the beach toward the Diamond Head end of Waikiki

Situated directly across the street from Kapiolani Beach Park and the Honolulu Zoo, this property is also only half a block from the beach and within walking distance of Diamond Head trails. Downtown Honolulu is just a few miles away. In other words, this location is pretty much a perfect starting point for exploring the area. Many other restaurants and shops are within walking distance as well and Honolulu International Airport is less than 20 minutes northwest by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Dated but generally clean with decent amenities

The rooms here are definitely showing their age, even though many of the privately owned domiciles have been updated. The good news is that guest units are generally kept clean; the bad news is that you will also have to keep them that way yourself during your stay as there’s no daily maid service. (Depending on what room you book, cleaning occurs typically about once every three days.) Room decor is minimal and floors are predominantly tiled. The beds are serviceable but not super comfy and the linens/coverlets are a bit cheap. The bathrooms are small, but most have shower/tub combos (though some have showers only) along with hairdryers. Rooms include free Wi-Fi but connections are slow. Flat-screen TVs are also standard. 

Because these units aren’t standardized, there’s significant variability in amenities: While all rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers, only some have full kitchenettes, balconies, and gorgeous views. Stand-alone air-conditioning units keep guests cool, but they can be noisy. And all rooms are old-school in that you'll actually have to keep track of a key to get in.

See More Rooms

Features

Small pool and sundeck along with a burger joint and a happening gay bar

This property does have a small pool but it doesn't seem to get much use. Nor does it have enough sun loungers for guests. However, there is a 10th-floor sundeck with views of Diamond Head where sun worshipers hang out if they aren't at the beach. 

Multiple coin-operated laundry machines make it possible for guests to pack light. There’s no free parking at the hotel, and the "reserved" spaces underneath the property are pricey and sometimes taken even when guests have supposedly paid for the spot. 

Teddy's Bigger Burgers -- the on-site burger joint -- is very popular and was even voted "Hawaii's Best Burger" for five years straight. The venue’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. On the second floor you'll find Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, which happens to be one of the area's most fun gay bars. For those staying in this LGBT-friendly domain, that makes for the shortest commute home ever after a night of living it up

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cable

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.