We live in Honolulu and stayed at the Waikiki Joy for a weekend and loved it. There's a certain charm about the property that you can't find at most big hotel chains. Plus, you can't beat the location--it's only a block away from all the clubs and shopping and restaurants we wanted to visit.

We booked an executive 1bdrm suite and I'd highly recommend doing the same. It was huge, nicely decorated and very comfortable with a kitchen. I also thought it was a nice touch that we received 2 free drink coupons for their on-site restaurant.

It was quiet, pleasant, and the staff was friendly and helpful. We had a great time and will definitely be back for a weekend trip again.

We booked via our travelagent and reqested a twin room because of health problems. On 3 occasions before travelling I asked travel agent to check that it was a twin room not a double room we were to get we were assured even after our agent phoning United Vacations that we would be given a twin room
When we arrived after a 30hour journey we did not even get a foot in the hotel grounds when a porter came out and told us we were not being allowed in we had to go to another hotel. On querying as to why this was happening we were told we were being upgraded because we were 'so nice people'. This was said I hasten to add in a most facetious manner. I asked where we were to go and again why and was again told that we were being upgraded because we were so nice people. We were told to get complimentary drinks of our choice whilst they arranged transfers and would look after our luggage. Vouchers given were for non alcoholic drinks or coffee. Halfway through our drinks we were called - our transport was there - when we got to the front door there was no sign of our luggage or our transport. We were quite worried and upset as medication for the whole trip as well as our belongings to our tired minds were no where to be seen and we wondered if we had actually walked into a nightmare instead of paradise. Eventually a staff member came and said that they'd phoned the other hotel and our luggage was there. They then provided a limo to take us to this still unknown upgraded hotel - after travelling 30 hours a limo is not exactly the easiest mode of transport to get in and out of. When we arrived at the other hotel we found the rooms to be small double and stinking of urine and no lanais. We spoke to the reception who offered to show us a twin room but it was not the sort of hotel which attracted us. We were taken back to the 'Joy' after another wait for a taxi. Where they then said that we would be given rooms there. Apprehensively we went to see these rooms and although much better the bed in our room was still not twin. Our friends were okay with theirs but our room was still not what we requested via our agent. We accepted the room on the understanding that the room be sorted out the next day. After a lengthy discussion with the manager the next day in which he first off said no bedroom type are guaranteed only a request, then denied he had any twin roomsin the hotel I challenged this by sayig they were advertised on the net, then he suggested if we paid extra there would be a twin room, when we said we would not pay any more than we already had and said that he had overbooked his hotel and why didn't he upgrade us for free as he the night before had been willing to upgrade us in another hotel, then he stated he hadn't oversold his rooms - (to which we have had confirmation in a letter from United Vacations that the rooms were oversold.) and that the other hotel was of a same star rating not an upgrade as we'd been told the night before. I was suffering stress and the beginnings of a hypo when I eventually spoke to a rep via phone from United Vacations and we were offered to be put up in yet another hotel at the other side of the town from our friends.The hotel did eventually put a roll away bed in the room but it ended up sagging in the middle after 10 nights and gave my partner a sore back. Afterwards during our stay we then found if we approached reception we were not welcome this was also felt by our friends. We were being treated like lepers. Other British couples we spoke to had also suffered similar experiences of being told there was no rooms available and also were taken to this and another hotel but also found them to be awful. Signage round the pool area was also only in English and other nationalities were freely jumping in and out of the pool without showering after visiting the loos as well as tossing dirty surf boards in to clean them. We certainly wouldn't recommend staying at the Joy not unless you were prepared to do a long jaunt after your already long flights.

Hi,
We found this Hotel on Trip Advisor, liked what we saw and booked it through our son-in-law, travel agent. Please bear in mind that this was 9 months ago, so our info here might be out of date and things may have changed.

This hotel was the last stay on our once in a lifetime, around the world, indulgence and we were very pleased with it. The Joy ticked all the right boxes so we stayed 6 nights.

Its location isnt the best but its pretty damn good. Just a short walk to the beach and an even shorter one to the shops and resaurants.

The staff are friendly and the rooms are large and clean. The place is a bit dated and a little dog-eared but that is reflected in the price and the star rating. If you want to stay right on the beach in pristine rooms with the perfect view, then you'll most definately pay quite a lot more than the Joy charges.

Our room had two large and comfortable beds, a large cane lounge suite, a big TV and a very efficient air conditioner. The bathroom had a spa bath in it that worked very well. The shower was over the spa bath. There was a large-ish balcony to our room that provided pretty ordinary views.

There is an open feel to the Hotel, with no walls at the end of the corridors or around the reception area, with indoor gardens extending to the outdoors, adding to the tropical feel of the place. The "help yourself" breakfasts were good and the atmosphere in the meals area has the same tropical, breezeway feel.

While in Hawaii, we needed to do quite a bit of washing and found the laundry to be very user friendly and was situated right next to a coi carp pond...very relaxing. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Joy and will probably stay there again.

Before I booked the Suite in the Hibiscus Tower I mentioned to staff there that I did not wish to be within earshot of the Karaoke Bar (situated at the base of the Hibiscus Tower) which is open untill 05:00ish.
Unfortunately the first Suite they put us in I could hear the music quite clearly. A move to the other tower would have meant downgrading, however they did move us to the 6th floor and that was fine.
Also before we arrived I struck a deal with the hotel that I could pay a 'Season Ticket' for the car park as were planning on staying for 21 nights and did not relish shelling out $210 in valet fees. (Although that would have been cheap in Waikiki ). The hotel did agree to this ( $100 for 21 nights) but upon arrival no one knew anything about this. However they did take my word for it and honoured the deal ( I had left the crucial email back in England ). They gave me validation permit to hang at the back of the rear view mirror.
On one occasion I forgot to place the permit on the mirror and got a ticket from the Parking Company. However, the staff at the Joy, particularly Mike pulled out all the stops & sorted out my stupid mistake.
Top marks to the staff at the Joy.
Breakfast was good. Mostely fresh fruit, toast & coffee. What else do you want??
Just wish that staff would ask the persistant smokers around the pool area to clear off on to the sidewalk and commit slow suicide away from the pool area where other non smoking, paying guests would rather like to breath fresh air and not carcinagenic second hand smokers air!! Blahh!!!
Overall great hotel, fab location, good staff - shame about the pathetic smokers.
Would absolutelty go back there again.
JSL Northamptonshire England UK