21st Floor Condo With View of Ko’olau Mountains and the Ala Wai Canal condo

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked into this 21st-floor condo, I wasn’t expecting much – the name is sort of a mouthful and doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. But you know what? The view absolutely knocked me out. I mean, you’re looking straight at the Ko’olau Mountains, which – if you’ve never been to Oahu – are these dramatic, jagged peaks that look like someone took a knife to green velvet. And then there’s the Ala Wai Canal stretching out below, which I’ll admit isn’t the most glamorous waterway in Hawaii, but from up here it actually looks pretty peaceful with all the outrigger canoe paddlers doing their morning runs.

The condo itself feels like staying at a friend’s place rather than some sterile hotel room, which honestly was refreshing after dealing with cookie-cutter resort properties. The furnishings are a bit dated – we’re talking that sort of tropical-meets-suburban vibe that screams “investment property” – but everything works and it’s genuinely comfortable. The kitchen is actually functional (rare for vacation rentals, trust me), and I found myself making coffee every morning just to stand on that lanai and watch the mountains change color as the sun came up. Fair warning though: you’ll hear some street noise from Ala Wai Boulevard, especially during rush hour, but by evening it dies down and you get these amazing sunset views that make you forget all about the traffic.

What really sold me on this place was the location – you’re basically right in the heart of Waikiki without paying those insane beachfront prices. The beach is maybe a five-minute walk, which means you can actually escape the crowds when you want to. Plus, you’re close enough to grab plate lunches from those local spots on Kapahulu Avenue (seriously, don’t sleep on the garlic shrimp), but far enough from the main strip that you won’t be dealing with drunk tourists at 2 AM. The building itself is well-maintained, though the elevator can be slow during peak times, and parking is included – which, if you’ve ever tried to park in Waikiki, you’ll know is basically worth its weight in gold. I’d definitely stay here again, especially for the price point and that killer mountain view that honestly never gets old.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities