Hotel La Croix

This hotel—formerly the Waikiki Gateway—completed renovations in 2017, resulting in clean, modern rooms and lobby. It seems to be positioning itself as a boutique-type property, and in many ways it works well—for example, new room designs and the great breakfast included in your rate. But in other ways it just doesn’t work that well. The building is tapered, so rooms and some lanais get smaller the higher you go. Not all rooms on the top floor have lanais, but there are extra large lanais on the 16th floor and some adjoining rooms available. Kitchenette rooms are located on floors 4 to 9. You’re nearing the fringes of Waikiki here, and it’s a 15-minute walk to the beach, so it’s hard to get excited about the distant ocean views. (There’s only a small pool area at the hotel.) They do offer a shuttle with your resort fee that takes you to some different places around the island—Hanauma Bay, Manoa Falls, Diamond Head and other points of interest. This is good because this is not a hotel in which to frolic—it’s more of a place to sleep with fairly decent prices. Still, we’re giving it a Solid Gold Value for this edition. Rooms (320–600 sq. ft.) are $100–$200, kitchenettes (311–346 sq. ft.) are $130–$230, and the top floor with room from 311–346 sq. ft. are $150–$300.