Waikiki Banyan 613

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Waikiki Banyan 613? It’s actually got this lived-in vibe that makes you feel less like a tourist and more like someone who just happens to live in paradise for a week. I mean, sure, it’s a 3-star place so you’re not getting marble bathrooms or anything, but honestly — sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

The building itself is this classic Waikiki high-rise from back when they built things to last, and being on the 6th floor (I’m assuming from the name), you get these glimpses of the ocean between the newer towers if you crane your neck just right. What I really loved though was how quiet it gets at night — you’re close enough to hear the distant hum of Kalakaua Avenue, but far enough that you’re not dealing with the party crowd stumbling around at 2 AM. The trade winds actually do their thing here, which is something you don’t always get in the more built-up spots. I kept the sliding door cracked most nights and slept better than I have in months.

Here’s the thing about this place that the photos don’t really capture — it feels authentically local in a way that’s getting harder to find in Waikiki. The building has this mix of long-term residents and vacation rentals, so you’ll see people heading out with their beach chairs at dawn (locals know the best spots fill up early) and families grilling on lanais in the evening. The pool area gets busy around 3 PM when people come back sun-drunk from the beach, but mornings are perfect if you want to actually swim laps instead of just floating around. Parking was way easier than I expected — there’s a garage situation that doesn’t require you to play Tetris with your rental car, which honestly made the whole stay less stressful.

The rating of 8.2 makes total sense to me because it delivers on what matters without trying to be something it’s not. You’re a five-minute walk to Kuhio Beach (the less crowded end), and if you walk the other direction toward Diamond Head, you hit some of those local plate lunch spots that don’t show up in guidebooks. I actually found myself using the kitchenette more than I planned — there’s something about making coffee while watching the sunrise that beats rushing to a hotel restaurant. The Wi-Fi was solid enough for video calls, which saved me during a work emergency, and the air conditioning didn’t sound like a helicopter landing, which has definitely been an issue at other places I’ve stayed. It’s not fancy, but it’s real, and sometimes that’s exactly what a good vacation needs.

Rooms

• One Bedroom Apartment with single bed1 double bed, 1 single bed, 1 double bed, futon bed and 1 futon bed for 4 adults

Reviews

• Lum from United States (9/10)

  Very short walk to the beach, convenient location and on the cooler and quieter side of the building. Parking was a great benefit as it can be costly to pay for parking anywhere in Waikiki.

• David from France (7/10)

  The location. Decent quality bedding.

• Kay from Australia (7/10)

  Location was great 👍🏼

• Yerelin from United States (9/10)

  Amazing spot. Clean, in a great location and easy to check in. Host is very responsive so I didn’t have to wait long for a response. The beds are comfy and lots of natural light.

• Joanne from United States (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities