Perched at the edge of Waikiki’s southern entrance and Ala Wai Boat Harbor, Ilikai Marina offers an exceptional landing place to explore both land and sea. This 18-story highrise condominium complex continues to be a crowd pleaser for visitors and investors drawn to Oahu’s sunny shores.
Because of its unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head, coming home to Ilikai Marina feels like a vacation all on its own. Given its starring role in Waikiki’s real estate scene, we’ve selected it for our top five roundup of noteworthy Waikiki vacation rentals. We explore the reasons in detail below. Let’s dive in.
For comprehensive insights into the Oahu vacation rental market, refer to our Hawaii Vacation Rental Property Statement of Facts & Trends report.
The Ilikai Marina debuted in 1968, just four years after its famed counterpart Ilikai Hotel and Luxury Suites. The single tower complex offers understated charm with tasteful studio and one bedroom units. Its position affords views of the boat harbor, city, mountains, Diamond Head, ocean, and Friday Night fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.
At the entrance, an open air staircase leads to the second story lobby and adjoining sky bridge. Natural lava rock and wood elements add a touch of Hawaiiana to the interior decor and common spaces. The sky bridge connects Ilikai Marina to neighboring hotels The Modern and Ilikai Hotel.
The lobby’s front desk is equipped to provide basic services for residents and guests. However, because units are privately owned, guests complete check-in with the owner or the property management company operating the unit.
Options for rental management are quite flexible to allow for rental and renovation options that match owner lifestyles.
Ilikai Marina enjoys its elevated location alongside high-end resorts including the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Prince Waikiki, The Modern, and Ilikai Hotel and Luxury Resorts. Guests can access dining, entertainment, and experiences across the many properties, and return home to peaceful views of the Pacific from their living room at the Ilikai Marina.
There are 256 residential units on the property consisting of studio and one bedroom, one bathroom layouts. The fact that all units include full sized kitchens is a large differentiator for this complex. Oftentimes short-term rentals in Waikiki will include kitchenettes (at best), so renters have come to prize full kitchen units and the options they provide for creating meals at home.
All units feature spacious balconies that further open up the space and offer enviable views in every direction. Ala Wai Marina, the Pacific Ocean, the city, mountains, and rainbows are visible depending on your room’s position. There is also a lovely view of Friday Night Fireworks over the ocean visible from many rooms.
There are two available floor plans at Ilikai Marina. Studios are 455 square feet and include a full kitchen, a 28 square foot balcony, and inland facing views of the city and mountains.
One bedroom units are a generous 683 square feet with full kitchens, 28 square foot balconies, and ocean facing views of the Ala Wai Marina and Pacific Ocean.
The building includes central air conditioning for all units, with air conditioning included in the maintenance fees discussed later.
Because the Ilikai Marina does not operate a rental hotel pool, renovations are left to the discernment and individual preferences of owners. This means you will find a range of completed upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Your creativity can come out to play in the absence of rigid renovation parameters. Whether shopping for a standard unit or one with modern finishes, you will find both here.
Tidy, modern laundry facilities are located on the eighth floor and are open daily. There is also the peace of mind of 24-hour security and a security office on the second floor.
Parking is managed by Elite Parking. Stalls are not sold with a unit, and instead can be paid for on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. There are 600 stalls available in the attached parking structure. Owners using their unit for a vacation rental don’t need to worry about parking passes, as guests can self-manage parking based on their needs.
Ilikai was developed as a condominium complex, so it does not feature the same onsite amenities common to hotels in this region. Visitors can secure day passes to nearby pools, but most won’t bother when they can head to the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon or Waikiki Beach right next door. Gyms and yoga centers located around Waikiki and Ala Moana provide an array of fitness options.
The true highlight of Ilikai Marina is its unprecedented location directly beside the Ala Wai Marina. This feature attracts boat owners eager to take advantage of excellent access to the boat slip. In fact, in some cases current owners may sell their boat slip alongside their unit. The location of the Waikiki Yacht Club on the other side of the harbor adds to this appeal.
Beaches, snorkeling, sailing and surfing are abundant on this end of Waikiki and easy to reach from the complex. The popular Bowls surf spot is located just beyond Ilikai Marina and the harbor. Whether heading deeper into Waikiki or outside the perimeter to nearby Ala Moana Beach Park, there are options for everyone.
Three well known restaurants are located on the grounds of the Ilikai Marina including Chart House, Red Lobster, and Harbor Pub and Pizza. Additional restaurants and bars are easy to reach across the breezeway that connects the complex to nearby hotels. A convenience store directly across Ala Moana Boulevard is available for everyday necessities.
Major roadway access is an important part of the complex’s appeal. Ala Moana Boulevard provides a quick route for freeway, city, and airport connections. A short distance further into Waikiki, Kalākaua Avenue connects with Luxury Row and Waikiki’s renowned beaches, shopping and dining destinations that draw visitors from around the globe.
For an in-depth analysis of the overall Waikiki real estate market, our Oahu overview article leads a series that explores our top five selections for attractive vacation rental opportunities on the island.
Property management options include third party management or self management through popular platforms like AirBnB and VRBO. For property management questions, we invite you to reach out to our property management team who can help answer your questions about current laws and requirements for properties in Waikiki.
For those interested in exploring the abundant possibilities of a Waikiki property acquisition, we recommend working with the most qualified professionals attuned to Hawaii’s unique landscape. Hawai’i Life welcomes interested parties to connect with us and discuss the possibilities. Inquire to learn more about active and potential units for sale at Ilikai Marina.
We have a unique team of Realtors who specialize in working with those focused on second home and vacation rental investments. Knowledgeable experts in this field with vast experience in this segment of the real estate market. Our team has decades of experience with access to critical data points that investors need. A commitment in providing clients with the necessary support to ensure well-informed choices.
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