It's often very difficult in this day & age (2008) to provide a decent type of review of somewhere we have stayed whilst on a vacation.
However, there is always an exception to the rule which deserves a wondrous rating - My family (plus many friends recommended by us through the years) have stayed at The Breakers Hotel for many years, our 25 year old daughter considers it her home away from home & the best place for she & her friends to stay when going from Queensland in Australia for a vacation in Hawaii.
Though the hotel isn't classified as one of the upmarket hotels in Hawaii, it is nevertheless, a classy & affordable island-style boutique hotel which offers first class service by all staff members - who are always genuinely available to provide assistance when required, the personal feature often missing in numerous other hotels. The suites have been regularly upgraded and offer very comfortable amenities with each person being given the opportunity to really relax and feel the Hawaiian older world style of the true Aloha spirit. The hotel also includes on its premises a very nice Japanese restaurant.
( Donald Trump's business enterprise is rumoured to be constructing a luxury accommodation complex down the street so his people must believe the area is classy !)

My girlfriend and I booked this hotel as students. We didn't have much money and most of the reviews were great. Our experience did not disappoint. We stayed for a week and except for some minor difficulties with parking there were no problems. The hotel is close to the beach, has a pool, and the staff were wonderful.
Note we have stayed in some 4/5 star hotels since then, and none have the friendliness and traditional flavor of this hotel.
I would recommend this to anyone who is active, not fussy about little things and interested in exploring the city/island. This is not for someone who plans to spend there time in Hawaii at their hotel.

The Breakers is a gem of a hotel nestled amongst a concrete jungle of posh high rises. If you love being on the 110th floor of a hotel then perhaps this isn't your cup of tea. I loved the fact that it consists of only two levels surrounding a beautiful courtyard. Most of the guests you meet during your stay are regulars. They come back year after year and all seem to know everyone. The staff and the "regulars" make a point of saying hello and treating you like an old friend and when you leave it's like saying farewell to a good friend. I went to Waikiki with my Mom because it is where she lived during the 60's and she wanted a chance to share some of her memories from that time in her life. The Breakers offered a rare glimpse of what hotels would have been like many years ago, before the need for building "up" to maximize your room revenue. I plan to return to Waikiki and I would not want to stay anywhere else. I'm sure when I return the same people I met in 2007 will be there again!

This was my third trip to Waikiki - I found this place on my first trip and have returned to the breakers twice now. Stuff paying $250-$300 a night at tyhe main hotels when you can stay here for just $130 a night. A 3 minute walk to the beach and all the night life and restaurants. My room was at least 4 times bigger than the one I had at the Outrigger Reef. The Breakers now has a Japanese restaurant where you can get good value meals with ample size portions.
At this place you are not a room number but a PERSON because there are only 66 rooms, the pool always has lots of free space.
All staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
I shall definitely return again soon