Hotel Room Tour and Review - Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki

 

       As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I visited Oahu, Hawaii, this year. During our trip, we spent two nights at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and three nights at the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki. I’m going to share my experience at the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki today.

 

Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki

444 Kanekapolei Street  

Honolulu, HI  96815

Parking

     The underground parking lot had a self-parking fee of $35 per night. We received the parking permit at the front desk and placed it on the dashboard.

Location

We were able to see Ala Wai Canal from the room balcony.

     The Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki is conveniently located near the Ala Wai Canal, which features a popular trail for runners. The hotel is also close to Waikiki Market and Waikiki Beach, making it an ideal spot for tourists.

Ala Wai Canal

Lobby

      When we checked in at the hotel, we received two shell lei necklaces, which made us feel very welcomed.

Two Shell Lei Necklaces We Received upon Arrival

      Around the lobby, you’ll find several convenient amenities, including vending machines stocked with snacks and drinks, a water dispenser for refreshing hydration, and multiple ice dispensers to keep your beverages cool.

     

Deluxe Room with Balcony (360 sqft / 33 sqm)

         The room was nice and clean, though it felt a bit dated.

        The room included a two-seat sofa and a sizable, low table, making it convenient for us to have breakfast and dinner in the room.

 

Mini Kitchen

        The room also included a microwave oven, which was very useful for warming up food. This added convenience made it easy for us to enjoy hot meals and snacks in the comfort of our room.

         The room provided two packs of Hawaiian Paradise coffee, which tasted quite good. Since room cleaning is only done every three days, you can request additional coffee if you need more. This ensures you can enjoy your favorite coffee throughout your stay.

        We appreciated having a sink, detergent, and a brand new cleaning sponge in the room for doing dishes.

       There was a mini fridge in the room, which was very convenient for storing snacks, drinks, and leftovers. This added feature made our stay even more comfortable and enjoyable.

Bathroom

      The bathroom was small and a bit outdated. There were Hawaiian Tropic soap bars and body lotion next to the sink.

Hawaiian Tropic

       The shower room was quite small and showed its age, with no bathtub available.

          I found the fixed showerhead inconvenient, as I prefer the flexibility and ease of use of handheld ones.   

Hawaiian Tropic

       There were two full-size bottles of Hawaiian Tropic shampoo and one bottle of conditioner provided in the room. However, the conditioner was nearly empty, which was a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to using it. On the bright side, I enjoyed the Hawaiian Tropic shampoo with its delightful coconut fragrance.

Balcony

      The balcony had two chairs. I enjoyed the pleasant Hawaiian breeze.

        However, when I glanced down from the balcony, the view was somewhat intimidating, despite the fact that I don’t usually have a fear of heights.

Overall

     Overall, I really appreciated that this room included a mini kitchen, which allowed us to enjoy meals in the comfort of our room. We could prepare breakfast and snacks whenever we wanted, adding a touch of home to our stay. The convenience of having a microwave, sink, and small refrigerator made it easy to store and reheat leftovers from our favorite local spots. The location was also fantastic, being conveniently close to many charming cafes and vibrant shopping areas.

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Spicy and Savory Marinated Cucumbers: Japanese Izakaya Style

 

       Last weekend, I made these Japanese Izakaya style marinated cucumbers. An izakaya (居酒屋) is a type of casual restaurant that serves food and alcoholic drinks in Japan. These Izakaya-style marinated cucumbers pair well with alcohol. Since I don’t drink alcohol, I really enjoyed these marinated cucumbers with white rice. 😋 Today, I'm going to share with you how to make spicy and savory marinated cucumbers.

 

How to Make Spicy and Savory Marinated Cucumbers: Japanese Izakaya Style

 

Ingredients (2 Servings)

2 Persian Cucumbers or 1 Japanese Cucumbers

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

1 Teaspoon of Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Soy Sauce

1 Tablespoon of Sesame Seed Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Chicken Bouillon Powder

1 Teaspoon of Roasted Sesame Seeds

1 Red Chili Pepper (Sliced)

 

 

 

 1. Smash the cucumbers using your hands, a meat pounder, a knife, or a wooden stick. Tear the cucumbers into bite-size pieces with your hands. Sprinkle salt over the cucumbers and rub them lightly. Let them sit for 5 minutes.

 

 

 

2. Wrap the cucumbers in a paper towel. Then, squeeze them tightly to remove excess water.

 

 

 

3. Put sugar, soy sauce, sesame seed oil and chicken bouillon powder in a plastic bag. (I use this Iwatani Eye wrap I purchased in Japan, but you can use a Ziploc bag as well.)

 

 

4. Add the cucumbers, sesame seeds, and red chili pepper to the bag. Remove the air from the bag and close it.

 

 

 

5.  Rub the seasoning into the cucumbers well. Let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 5 minutes. 

 

 

 

6. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

 

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Hotel Room Tour and Review - Sheraton Princess Kaiulani in Honolulu, Hawaii

 

       As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I visited Oahu, Hawaii, this year. During our trip, we spent two nights at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and three nights at the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki. I’m going to share my experience at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani today.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

120 Kaʻiulani Ave, 

Honolulu, HI 96815

Parking

       We rented a Tesla at the airport and parked it in the hotel parking lot, where the daily parking fee was $45.

Location

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

        The Sheraton hotel’s location is fantastic, just a short stroll from the area’s top shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. It’s also very close to the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. We participated in the Sheraton hotel’s free morning yoga class, which was held at the Moana Surfrider.

Honolulu Coffee

       Honolulu Coffee at the Moana Surfrider is one of our favorites. Following our morning yoga class, we treated ourselves to a coffee there.

Waikiki Beach

      The hotel is just a block away from the renowned Waikiki Beach.

 

Pool Area

         We relaxed on the poolside lounge chairs, savoring our coffee in the early morning.

Fishpond

       The hotel features a fishpond where we enjoyed watching many colorful koi fish.

Lobby

Lobby

Princess Pool View King (300sqft/27sqm)

         The room was clean, comfortable, and spacious enough for us.

      The room provided two bottles of water, Hawaiian Paradise coffee, and Tazo tea. The coffee tasted pretty good.

        The room included a mini refrigerator.

      The bathroom was small and a bit outdated, but it was clean and well-maintained.

 

       The shower provided good water pressure.

 

Gilchrist & Soames

         We found Gilchrist & Soames shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the bathroom.

Gilchrist & Soames

        The amenities also included Noni body lotion and a Gilchrist & Soames skincare bar.

         From our room, we had a view of the Sheraton hotel pool and the Moana Surfrider.

       We listened to beautiful live Hawaiian music from our room at night, which was a delightful experience.

        The grey peacock feather pattern on the wallpapers brought a touch of beauty and sophistication to the room’s overall design.

Peacock Wallpapers

       Purplish photo art of peacock feathers was elegantly displayed on the walls.

Fitness Center

Sheraton Fitness

       You can visit Sheraton Fitness at any time, day or night. Just remember to bring your room key card to enter.

      The facility offered fresh towels, hand sanitizer to ensure cleanliness, and a water dispenser for guests to stay refreshed.

        The fitness center was well-equipped with a variety of machines, including cardiovascular equipment, elliptical machines, and exercise bikes, catering to different workout preferences.

      We thoroughly enjoy utilizing the hotel’s fitness center during our stays, especially since we don’t have a gym membership. Typically, our exercise routine involves working out at home or engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking. Even after an exhausting day of walking 20,000 steps around the beautiful Waikiki Beach, we still found the energy and time to hit the treadmills for an additional workout session.

Overall

       I really appreciate this hotel for its prime location, which is perfect for tourists. It’s conveniently situated near Waikiki Beach and the main shopping and dining areas, with several ABC stores, cozy cafes, and a Honolulu Cookie store just around the corner. Additionally, I loved participating in the early morning beach yoga at Moana Surfrider’s Diamond Lawn at 6 am. The session started while it was still dark, and it was incredibly soothing to listen to the calming ocean waves as the sun began to rise. This combination of a great location and unique experiences made my stay truly memorable.

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