The Aqua Island Colony is a poor excuse for a hotel. Not only is it dirty and infested with bed bugs and roaches, the staff are unhelpful and unfriendly. Upon reporting our bed bug problem to the staff and then later to their corporate body, we received zero help or acknowledgement. They could care less about their problems there. Steer clear from this hotel and any other hotels with the Aqua title.

My husband and I just came back from our first trip to Hawaii. We booked five nights at the Island Colony through their website. They had a 'stay 4 nights and get the 5th night free' special. It was a very nice and clean hotel. I was a little weary after reading a few reviews from this site but for the price, it was very nice and comfortable. There were no roaches, only a few tiny sugar ants that were no problem to get rid of. Even thought we didn't mind, we didn't expect to pay for the coffee packets ($1.00 each) after the first night and one day the maid service didn't come until about 3:00. we were already back from snorkeling. We enjoyed the view of the canal on our left and the city on our right (our front view was of a few cheaper looking hotels) from our 21st floor large balcony. We also overlooked the pool, but we never tried it out because it was our only chance to swim in warm ocean water. The hotel is in a very convenient location. It's only a two block walk to the beach and a block from the International Marketplace and many more shops. Just around the corner, you could catch the free 'Hilo Hattie' bus shuttle which stops at the Ala Moana shopping center on its way to the Hilo Hattie store. There is also a convenient mini-mart store on the 6th floor. We would definitely stay at the Island Colony again. It was a nice stay for a good price.

I booked a very spur-of-the-moment first trip to Hawaii through Expedia and stayed at the Aqua Island Colony hotel, despite some unfavorable reviews on this website. My friend and I arrived while the hotel was undergoing some major external renovations and construction. Workers on scaffolding were busy doing their job, but were also keeping us from using certain amenities like the hot tub while they were working high above (for our own safety, obviously). We decided to extend our stay through the weekend, and the hotel graciously accomodated us, further giving us a different room when we discovered our view in the first room was of the same workers on their scaffold....

As our trip drew to a close, we busily packed in a hurry so we wouldn't miss our shuttle and flight from the airport, leaving behind several items in our haste. A couple days later after unpacking I discovered many things didn't make it, and called Patty, the hotel manager, who had helped me while I was there.
She very graciously offered to send me the things I had left, including a power adapter for my laptop which I'm hard pressed to do without, even offering to send them at the hotel's expense.
I felt there was no reason they should pay for my hasty packing job, so I insisted on having whatever shipping charges charged to my credit card, to which Patty reluctantly agreed.

I have traveled all over the world, and seen many accomodations with varying degrees of customer service, but I have never been so impressed with the quality of service at this hotel. And just for the record, there was not a roach in sight, contrary to other reviews on this hotel. Highly recommended for any budget traveler who likes getting their money's worth without compromising quality or service in return....you will not regret booking at the Aqua Island Colony....it made our first trip to Honolulu the experience we wanted, without the hassle it could have been.

Albert G. Youssef

We got a great deal per night and saved on gas being that the location is right in Waikiki. My husband booked this hotel last minute as a short family weekend get away from the Ironman on the Big Island.
The room was very clean and bug free as apposed to what the other guests complained of. It had one bedroom, two twin beds in the living area, a dining table, kitchenette- stove, microwave, full size refrigerator, pans (which was quite helpful) and lots of open area for my 5 and 1 year old daughters to run and play freely. The ac worked fine, you just have to adjust it and leave it on to reach the living area. The decor isnt so horrible.
The staff is friendly. The smells are only off and on in the hallway because of the convenience trash chutes for the tenant owners. The laundry room came in handy. The kids had fun in the pool while I enjoyed the sauna and the renovations was no bother.
It was all together a great weekend and we didnt want to leave. Its not the most high class, fancy hotel but it was worth it. You get what you pay for so dont be like these guys and complain. Just appreciate it!