Hotel Renew is a three-pearl hotel that's a half-block from Waikiki’s golden beach. Its 72 air-conditioned rooms have contemporary, gray-toned interiors plus features like flat-screen TVs, Sony Playstation 3s, and Keurig coffeemakers. They’re a sophisticated, sleek option in a city of tropical style. Unfortunately, a mandatory amenity fee is still charged, despite limited amenities. There’s no pool or restaurant, but the beach is a minute away and restaurants are just as close. There is a bar, though. Hotel freebies include a surprisingly satisfying continental breakfast, DVD and video game library, and beach gear. Wi-Fi is also included in the amenity fee, though parking costs extra. For a beachier stay with bright, modern rooms, a decent-sized pool, and an on-site surf shop, it’s worth checking out Park Shore Waikiki instead. 

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest and most family-friendly resort in the Kailua-Kona area, and is often referred to as the “Disneyland“ of the Big Island. With 1,200 rooms, three large pool areas, extensive outdoor grounds and a variety of on-site dining options, the Hilton Waikoloa is indeed a small village in and of itself, and a tram and canal boats help guests travel across the sprawling property. Each of the three towers on the property has a different style of room decor, but the overall feel the same: clean and generic. The biggest downsides? The property is showing its age, the restaurants are pricey (and mostly mediocre), and there's no beach on the actual ocean -- just a thin strip of sand on the man-made lagoon. Luckily Lagoon Tower rooms were renovated in 2012.

One of the best luxury resorts on Kauai, the 602-room Grand Hyatt Kauai draws guests with spacious, Hawaiian-inspired rooms, three incredible pools, a behemoth saltwater lagoon, 10 dining options, including a host of high-end restaurants, a renowned spa, a twice-weekly luau, and immaculately kept tropical grounds. Its large range of features allows it to have broad appeal, and a non-stop cycle of families, honeymooners, business travelers, and wedding parties filter through the property week after week. Travelers looking for an equally luxurious property without all the fanfare should check out nearby Koa Kea Resort, which is smaller, cheaper, and offers half of the amenities of the Hyatt. 

This three-and-a-half-pearl, 601-room chain hotel is a five-minute walk from Kuhio Beach and Kalakaua Avenue. It's housed in a towering high-rise block with modern Hawaiian-inspired interiors and an extensive 24-hour business center, making it a popular choice for corporate travelers. There's also a range of leisure facilities for tourists, including a pool, hot tub, poolside bar, and fitness center. The 24-hour restaurant serves American cuisine in a modern diner-style setting, plus a varied breakfast buffet for a fee. Air-conditioned rooms are modern, yet cozy, and all include pillowtop beds and furnished lanais; some with gorgeous ocean views. Wi-Fi is free in public areas, but not in rooms, though there are no resort fees. The Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel adds a beachfront location and free breakfast buffet.

A Marriott Vacation Club property with 442 studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club - Lahaina & Napili Towers primarily appeals to families with kids. The property’s three massive pool complexes feature kid-friendly amenities, like water slides and climbable pirate ships, and the hotel’s beachfront location means guests have easy access to Maui’s famous Kaanapali Beach. Most villas are equipped with full kitchens and in-unit laundry, and feature separate living and sleeping spaces. The resort has one full service restaurant, a poolside grab-and-go, and a Starbucks, but on-site dining is mediocre at best. It’s worth comparing rates at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, a similar (though much newer) property with nicer rooms. 

Situated on the largest of Ko Olina's man-made lagoons, the elegant JW Marriott Ihilani is a solid option for families and couples, with two excellent pools, a top-ranked golf course and spa, five tennis courts, and excellent cuisine.

Park Shore Waikiki is a three-pearl oceanfront hotel with fabulous views of Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and the lush Kapiolani Park. Its 370 bright rooms have pleasant furnishings, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies (some with ocean views). They’re a tad small, but efficiently laid-out. The hotel’s freshwater pool has stunning ocean and beach views and is surrounded by loungers. Free yoga classes are offered daily, but there’s no fitness center. The three independently-owned restaurants get mixed reviews and serve American, Hawaiian, and Japanese cuisines. There’s also a Starbucks. Other amenities include a surf shop, free Ala Moana mall shuttles, parking, and Wi-Fi. For an oceanfront stay with more to do -- like ukulele and hula lessons -- check out the Outrigger Reef Beach Resort (but be prepared to pay more).

Prince Waikiki is a four-pearl property along Ala Wai Harbor at the far western end of Waikiki. The 541 are fresh and modern, with floor-to ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Upgraded Club Rooms feature better amenities and poolside lounge access. Unfortunately, it's a 10-minute walk to the beach from here, though there are still fabulous water views from two pools (including an infinity pool). The hotel’s pricey restaurants get mixed reviews and serve sushi, American, Hawaiian, and buffet menus. Amenities include free shuttles to the property’s 27-hole golf course and central Waikiki, weekend live music, and a coffee shop. Travelers willing to sacrifice the fresh look for something more traditional in order to score direct beach access should consider the Moana Surfrider instead. Rates there are often similar.

The mid-range, 496-room Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger completed a multimillion-dollar overhaul to create this modern, tropical-inspired hotel. The rooms are generically decorated with beach accents, but are clean, spacious, and have balconies. Although it's not a waterfront property, it's a two-minute walk down to the gorgeous beach and is in the heart of a busy shopping and dining area. The hotel is outfitted with basic features like a pool and fitness center -- plus an on-site restaurant and bar. For guests that don't want to overpay for beachfront real estate (that would be the Outrigger Waikiki across the street), the Beachcomber is a solid choice.

This 19-floor, 315-room property in Waikiki has two excellent features: its location and its wallet-friendly prices. A minute's walk away from Waikiki Beach and right next door to Honolulu Zoo, Queen Kapiolani Hotel is a convenient choice for the budget-conscious traveler, who doesn't mind the obvious display of wear and tear that can be seen all over the hotel.