Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber - Honolulu, Hawaii - Central Waikiki Hotel Celebrates the Fifties

If the "good ole days'' of Waikiki were the 1950's and 60's, then they are alive and well and living at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber, which originally opened in 1970. Not only does this hotel house a museum dedicated to the glory of surfing, it has recently redesigned its guest rooms to reflect the trends of the mid-20th century, too.

The new motif complements the Hawaiian landscape outside by incorporating modern lines, neutral hues, sandstone accents, and a subtle color palette. Although Standard Rooms do not come with a view here, the units just one class up offer ocean panoramas and the sights of Waikiki city lights from their private lanais.

Each of the hotel's 495 rooms is configured with either a king bed, a queen or two doubles, accommodating up to four persons. As is the local custom, the bathrooms feature a half bathtub/shower with hand-held shower head.

All guest rooms are non-smoking and include air conditioning, card key access, cable television, an alarm clock/radio with MP3 player, complimentary wired high-speed Internet access, and a direct dial telephone/data port/voice mail. Also standard are a refrigerator, coffee maker, iron and board, hair dryer, and an in-room safe. Cribs are available on request and rollaway beds can be provided for $30 per night.

Located on the premises is the $7.5-million Magic of Polynesia Showroom, where an evening stage show combines magic and illusions with Polynesian dance, song and chant. The featured performer is master illusionist John Hirokawa, winner of the International Magician Society's Merlin Award, whose creative use of pyrotechnics delivers a truly explosive experience each Tuesday through Saturday. On Mondays and Tuesdays, magician Michael Villoria fills in.

Also located in the same building is a branch of Macy's Department Store, for the most convenient shopping imaginable. There are additional boutique shops, business services, a currency exchange, laundry facilities and a dry cleaning service. Meeting rooms are available for small functions. And of course, there is a freshwater outdoor swimming pool for guest use.

The most popular aspect of the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber, however, is its newly opened signature bar and restaurant, Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, located on the second floor lobby level. Owned and operated by the beach-loving singer himself, this 500-seat dining and entertainment venue is open daily from 7am till midnight (or later).

Breakfast is available on the lanai every day from opening until 11am, while the lunch and dinner menu is offered inside the restaurant from 11am to closing. Live entertainment is featured seven nights a week. There is a full bar and, of course, margaritas and Mai Tai cocktails are the specialties.

Adjacent to Jimmy Buffet's is the Honolulu Surfing Museum that the famous singer opened here. It is filled with memorabilia from the Golden Era of wave riding, from early Tom Blake surfboards to some of the first ukuleles ever made. The ring that Captain Cook wore when he first visited the Hawaiian Islands is also on display.

The hotel and museum are located at 2300 Kalakaua Avenue, right in the heart of Waikiki. Valet parking is free with validation for up to four hours for visitors. Overnight parking is also available for $18 per vehicle.