Aston at the Waikiki Banyan

Aston at the Waikiki Banyan is a condo-hotel at 201 Ohua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. It sits about a block from Kapiolani Park and Kuhio Beach, making it a calm, residential-feeling base with easy access to the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Waikiki Shell. Kalakaua Avenue and Kuhio Avenue are a short walk away, bus and trolley stops are nearby, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is roughly 9 miles away.

The hotel's defining feature is its apartment-style layout: One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Suites with full kitchens. These units suit families, groups and longer stays, since cooking in the room and using the washer-style conveniences typical of condo-hotels can lower costs substantially compared with eating out for every meal. Listed rates run from about US$200 to US$380 per night, in the mid-range tier, and per-unit rates make larger suites good value for groups sharing.

Amenities listed include full kitchens, a swimming pool and paid parking. Because parking in Waikiki is expensive and scarce, the on-site paid parking can be a real advantage for visitors renting a car to explore the island, although the daily charge should be confirmed at booking. The property has no large restaurant complex, so guests rely on in-room cooking, nearby grocery and convenience stores, and local restaurants along Kapahulu Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue.

Service is that of a managed condo-hotel, with a front desk and help arranging tours and activities, rather than the full concierge programme of a luxury resort. The property suits families and groups looking for space and a kitchen at mid-range prices in a quieter part of Waikiki. Individual units are privately owned, so furnishings and decor can vary from suite to suite.