The Gateway is a decent, clean hotel with EXCELLENT prices (I paid $80 for a decent-sized room with TWO balconies). It is also in a great location at the Ewa end of Waikiki, across Fort DeRussy Park from the Hale Koa Military Resort and near Hilton Hawaiian Village. 10 minute walk to beach. This is a great bargain for Waikiki. Not fancy, but decent and clean. I found the staff friendly.

We arrived around 8am. The man at the reception desk was fairly unwelcoming - pretty much told us to get lost and come back at 3. OK clearly I'm not expecting the room to be ready that early, but at the same time I didn't schedule the flight, so it's not my fault! No need to be patronising.

The room was spacious and fairly comfortable. Not what you'd call brand new or spotlessly clean, but OK. There was a small problem with the bath plug, but they came and fixed it swiftly. The main problem was the traffic noise. There's a 5 lane road outside which splits in two and goes around both sides of the hotel. We were on the ninth floor, but the traffic was still very audible. It doesn't really stop at night either. After a few days I got used to it and slept OK. The room had a small balcony, but facing the aforementioned road - so we just used it for drying towels.

There's a little room on the second floor with around eight computers, for Internet access. There's a swimming pool down there as well, but really it's very small. I didn't use it. On the ground floor there's an Expedia desk, where activities can be booked. Very useful, although we had to sit and wait for a while as there's only 1 agent. There's a general store just outside the hotel entrance.

Under the hotel, valet parking is available, which is fairly cheap compared to some Waikiki hotels. Also easy to use, except on one Sunday when we came back to absolute mayhem. Apparently everyone at the fish restaurant attached to the hotel decided to leave at the same time.

I found the "continental" breakfast a very depressing experience, almost an ordeal in fact. The toasted sliced bread wasn't too bad, but it went downhill from there. There was canned pineapple, muffins (individually wrapped- from a box), and an undefinable orange liquid to drink. The woman serving breakfast was very impatient, borderline rude, and seemed to regard us all as an inconvenience.

The hotel is nicely situated. Not on the beach of course, but if you cross the road and walk through Fort De Russy park, there's a nice beach there. Tiffany's is practically next to the hotel, and is the first in a string of fashionable shops stretching down Kalakaua Avenue from the hotel. There are several restaurants near the hotel (nice Thai one across the road), and it's only a short walk into central Waikiki.

Overall for the money it's not too bad. If I was returning to Hawaii I would splash out a bit and stay somewhere nicer where I could really relax - preferably on the beach and far away from traffic!

We stayed this hotel for a week in Apr 2008. We didn't like some staff there. On check in our flight was so early and asked in case if there was the room ready. The oldish receptionist said that the check in was 3pm---fair enough, we knew, just needed try but this receptionist always made us feel stupid whenever ask as his attitude was looking down on us. Breakfast lady too, quite unpleasant and nearly did make complaint against them. We consider upgrading to penthouse but didn't---what's the point if outside the room is unpleasant?
But there was good point to make us through to remain this hotel. The room was enough for just sleeping and always clean, spotless! Bathtub didn't work and fixed following day so that was no problems. Balcony wasn't clean and even didn't try to stand up there without sandals. The ABC store is on ground floor, easy access to centre of waikiki, beach is just across the park, also hotel supply beach towel every day( at reception). The internet access is free in the air-conditioning room, you can drink water and coffee(not hot...) while browsing.
We are frequent traveller and this hotel didn't impress us at all, yes it's budget hotel and we won't go back there and never recommend to our friends. However the experience of Hawaii was fascinating and made so many good memory outside of hotel. If you consider to stay for budget and location make sure you speak to younger receptionist---they are actually quite efficient and pleasant.

We stayed at the Gateway for one week Mar/Apr 2008. While the property is older and could use renovation, it has our two required, and one preferred quality. It is clean, safe, and very affordable. We averaged $80 per night. As mentioned, it is not glitzy or glamorous, but it is clean, and housekeeping did a fine job on a daily basis. There were no odors, as I have read about elsewhere, so have no fears about any issues relative to cleanliness and the Gateway.

As far as affordability goes, you cannot beat the price for the location. The Gateway is centrally located to the beach, shopping, the convention center (if you have business there), and other Waikiki activities. Having an ABC store downstairs is helpful when in need of a quick soft drink or snack, or for that necessity you forgot at home before heading to the beach. The valet parking is awesome, and getting it at half-price if you book through the hotel is a steal, considing what you pay elsewhere in Waikiki for parking. $7.50 per day compared to $20+ per day is a no-brainer!

The staff at the Gateway are top-notch. They were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The Gateway offers a nice business center that allows you to check e-mail and for a very small price print what you need to print, and though we did not use the pool, it is small but looked nice and offered a nice view as well. The continental breakfast was very limited, but was maybe the only thing I think I might consider I would improve. But, quite frankly, eating a lot is not high on my list in Hawaii.

Though they may not promote, or be able to promote, their rooms as ocean view, from our lanai, we had an awesome view of the ocean and park across the street.

If you are looking for some luxury resort with mints on pillows, multiple buildings, fancy restaurants (though I hear Nicks at the Gateway is great), multiple shops, large pools, etc, then maybe look elsewhere, but if you want a solid. clean, secure, affordable hotel, that is near everything, then the Gateway is a great choice. We will most definately be back!