Two blocks from the beach
Clean rooms with fridges, microwaves, and TVs (many are tube-style)
Most rooms have kitchenettes
Free loaner beach chairs, towels, and boogie boards
Free Wi-Fi
Coin-operated laundry on-site
Dated, with worn furniture and appliances
No views of the ocean
Fee for parking in a tiny, five-space lot
Area can feel seedy at night
Elevator doesn't go to the sixth floor
The Waikiki Central Hotel is a 24-room value hotel just two blocks from the beach. Furniture is dated and appliances are worn, but the rooms are clean and all have at least a mini-fridge and a microwave, as well as either a flat-screen or tube-style TV. There aren't many amenities and no views of the ocean, but it's budget-friendly and very close to the beach.
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.
Scene
Dated decor fills the lobby and there are no areas for guests to socialize
The six-story beige building is small, with dated, worn furniture and decor throughout. The little lobby has a love seat with island-inspired cushions, a brochure rack, and a world map hanging by the front desk, all of which add some personality to the otherwise bland atmosphere. There aren't any areas for guests to socialize and there's not much for kids to do either, so guests are most often couples or solo travelers.
Location
A two-minute walk to the beach in a somewhat sketchy area of Waikiki
The location of Waikiki Central is ideal for travelers who don't need much from a hotel, but want to be close to the beach without paying a hefty price. Waikiki is a popular beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu and the hotel is centrally located just two blocks from the shore. The buildings are old and the area can be seedy at night, but there are several shopping and dining options surrounding the hotel. Guests wanting to explore other areas of Honolulu can head to the nearby bus stop or take a car. Note that there is a tiny, five-car parking lot at the hotel that guests can use for a daily fee. Diamond Head is a seven-minute drive away and the Honolulu International Airport is 25 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Clean, no-frills rooms with refrigerators, microwaves, and TVs
The 24 rooms at the Waikiki Central range from tiny units with one single bed to larger rooms with kitchenettes and two double beds. The wooden furniture is often mismatched and carpets are dark, but the beds are comfortable. Standard rooms with kitchenettes have stoves, small refrigerators, microwaves, and cooking and dining utensils. Each room has at least a mini-fridge, a microwave, and cable TV, and comes with a small pouch of Kona blend coffee. The kitchen appliances are worn and dated, but everything is clean. The bathrooms are small, with showers that could use re-tiling, and basic toiletries are provided. All the rooms have balconies, although none offer scenic views of the beach. Noise from the surrounding street can be loud.
Features
Free Wi-Fi and use of beach equipment, but no restaurant or pool
There's a coin-operated laundry room on-site and a tiny five-car parking lot that's available for a daily fee. Guests have mentioned that it's hard to get out of, so a small car is a better option. There are beach towels, boogie boards, noodles, and beach chairs in the lobby available for guests to borrow. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and guests can print their boarding passes from a tablet available at the front desk.
