Hotel Options for a Cruise

Question

My husband & I will be in Honolulu September 29th arriving at HNL at 4:25PM & departing October 1st on a cruise. We just spent 3 days in Oahu in September.

I am considering these hotels…

Waikiki Grand Hotel- $412.87

Waikiki Malia- $420.44

Shoreline Hotel Waikiki-$416

Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach- $476.56

Holiday Inn Express Waikiki- $438.70

I would appreciate any suggestions on which hotel to choose.

Thanks,

Juli

Answer

Aloha Juli,

Since your stay is short and your main goal is to be convenient for a cruise departure, I’d focus on hotels that are close to the cruise port in Honolulu (Aloha Tower/Finger Pier) and offer easy access to Waikiki for a brief evening or morning stroll. All the hotels you mentioned are in Waikiki, which is roughly a 10–15 minute drive to the cruise port, so location is convenient for all options.

Here’s a brief overview of each hotel to help you decide:

Waikiki Grand Hotel ($412.87): A smaller boutique-style hotel. Very basic amenities, but decent location near Kuhio Avenue. Good if you prefer a quieter, more intimate experience and are mainly using the hotel to sleep before the cruise.
Waikiki Malia ($420.44): Another smaller, budget-conscious hotel. Clean and convenient, but rooms are modest. Great if your priority is saving a little money.
Shoreline Hotel Waikiki ($416): Central location near the beach and Ala Moana Boulevard. Small boutique feel, easy walking to restaurants and shops. Comfortable for short stays.
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach ($476.56): Brand hotel with modern amenities, reliable service, and a good breakfast option. A short walk to the beach and many restaurants. Higher price, but offers consistent quality and extra conveniences like concierge help and luggage storage.
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki ($438.70): Located slightly inland from the beach, but within walking distance. Known for complimentary breakfast, clean rooms, and good service. Practical choice if you want to start your day with a quick breakfast before heading to the cruise port.

Considerations for your short stay:

Proximity to restaurants and Waikiki nightlife if you plan a quick evening stroll or dinner.
Availability of breakfast or early check-out support for your cruise departure.
Hotel amenities like luggage storage, concierge, and shuttle options to the cruise port can save time and hassle.

Recommendation:

If you want a reliable, comfortable experience with extra services and don’t mind the slightly higher price, Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach is a solid choice.
If budget is a consideration and you just need a clean, convenient place to sleep, Shoreline Hotel Waikiki or Waikiki Grand Hotel are good options.
If having breakfast included is important, Holiday Inn Express Waikiki is practical and convenient for your short stay before the cruise.

All of these options are within a short distance to your cruise departure, so you won’t feel rushed in the morning.