Boy, were we built up for this hotel! The location was horrible...very hard to find, on a one way street, and in the middle of town...when they mean city view, they mean just that. "Steps" away from the beach sounds great...if you want to hike several blocks carrying snorkelling gear, boogie boards and a cooler. It's a catch-22 because there is little parking (and it isn't free) in Honolulu. If you're trip centers around ocean/beach oriented activities, stay on one of the beach resorts...it doesn't cost much more. Valet parking is the only option at $10 @ day. Didn't like this much. While we loaded/unloaded the attendants got impatient, then they wanted a tip.
The front desk gets mixed reviews. 1 out of 3 were helpful and nice. At checkout, we were informed we were being charged $2.60 everytime my 9 year old opened AND shut the safe in our room. Also, beware of the BREAKFAST NAZI. Don't show up before 7am and don't take a bagel to your room.
SKIP the POOL! SKIP the "Jacuzzi" (ie garden bathtub)
Pool was the size of a hottub located in the main lobby. Like the jacuzzi in the rooms, you didn't want to get in it!
The room was comfortable...it looked clean until you saw ants in the kitchenette. And realized the carpeting didn't lay flat on the floor anywhere.
We were awakened by police sirens...9 cop cars under our window at 2am...thought the bum that puked on himself the previous night had died...just a bar fight though, with 3 handcuffed men lying face down in the street.
Basically, the price you pay originally won't be it...other hotels charge a reasonable daily fee for all inclusive ammenities...The only thing we weren't charged for was breathing...holding breath until I receive my next statement!

We are in our mid twenties, and are a military family stationed on Oahu. Hubby and I needed a place to sleep in Waikiki while eating out and wanted to make sure we didn't have to drive home.
The hotel was of very poor quality. Just all around cheap. Our hotel room overlooked an awful parking lot.

I have to think like you though- You want to spend money as a tourist in Hawaii, and spend as little on a room that you plan to see very little of---well, this hotel may be for you. I guess my standards may just be too high?
We only found dirt in the tub, and it seemed otherwise clean. It just is so old and dingy....Worse than any cheap hotel ive seen stereotyped on tv.
If you need a place to sleep after a night out on the town, or just to rest fo a night or two, I guess its ok- but please know there are much nicer, MUCH nicer places nearby.
It was in walking distance to our restaurant and several popular bars.

We arrived on 27th July 2007 from Queensland Australia. We stayed 11 nights and were very happy with our accommodation. We were on the 4th Floor overlooking Lewers Street. The room was very clean, towels changed every day and bed linen every second day. The hotel is in a great location, walking distance to everything we needed. Once the door was closed to lanai you could not hear street noise. The staff were friendly and helpful. We will certainly return to this hotel.

We were visiting Oahu from a neighbor island and needed a place to stay for one night. The Waikiki Joy was a good choice. Resortquest offers very reasonable kama`aina rates (for Hawaii residents) on all of their properties.

The location is a few blocks from the beach (mauka of Kalakaua on Lewers St.) but it's easily walkable. There is a Starbucks kiosk directly across the street. Parking was valet only at $10 a day, and valet service was always prompt.

The hotel is on the small side, with a pleasant garden feeling in the white-marble lobby. There is a small pool next to the breakfast area. Beyond the lobby, you can tell that the place hasn't been renovated for a while.

The room was a comfortable size with a small balcony looking onto the street, a king bed, TV and stereo sound system, wicker love seat. Also, a mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and a couple of bottles of complimentary water. Everything was clean and adequate, though a bit worn and outdated. There was a slight musty smell, probably a holdover from when smoking was allowed, but it didn't bother us.

The jacuzzi bathtub in the bathroom (every room has one) was very nice. They give you a good collection of toiletries -- shampoo and conditioner, lotion, mineral bath, a couple of kinds of soap, etc. There is a hairdryer.

The place was quiet, no problems with noise even on a Saturday night. Breakfast was offered in the lobby from 7 to 9 am (coffee, juice, fruit, various breads, butter, jam, cream cheese). I wouldn't recommend this place to someone on their honeymoon or a special trip, but definitely to someone looking for good basic accommodations in Waikiki at a reasonable price.

We have stayed in a cheaper, rock-bottom price hotel for around $100 a night and regretted the choice (Pagoda Terrace -- downright dirty and scary). Waikiki Joy cost just a little bit more and was much nicer.