Stayed a weekend at this property, which as others have stated, is a 'hotel-within-a-hotel.' A little concerned due to the reviews, but the full kitchen, walking distance to the park and the major mall swayed us in the end. And we didn't regret our choice!
Luckily we had been informed when booking that the front desk was located on the second floor, so we bypassed the Ilikai Hotel desk in the lobby and went straight upstairs using what looked like a fire exit stairwell as some of the elevators were not working. Heck, we started using the staff elevators since a small sign by the main elevators said where it was. It was quick, and we were on the 18th floor!
The front desk staff were pleasant and helpful, and pointed out a Ilikai bell staff tip form that Shell pays for. We were the only ones checking in, and my husband and son got a drink from the water cooler and lounged on the sofa while I signed in.
The room was clean, comfortable and had the air-conditioning on. Bliss! We had stated in our reservation that we decline the maid service for our two-night stay, so we did not see them but we did find extra towels in the bathroom. We didn't go to the pool, or go out on the balcony, but with a city view room we kept the lanai door closed and did not have a problem with outdoor noise.
I was surprised to find a 'Room Service in Paradise' menu in the room, a local company that delivers meals from various restaurants around town to your door. It was interesting to read the menus of all those restaurants and know you could order whatever they had. Imagine a room service menu with more than three kinds of cuisine!
My family enjoyed our stay, especially for the full kitchen with microwave! My DS is four years old, so although there was no bathtub, only a shower, he was okay (I loved the wide shower head) and it was a blessing to be able to buy some popsicles and juice for him and keep it in the room. A blender and coffeemaker also included, we thought about making frappes or smoothies (next time, if we stay longer!) We even bought popsicles for treats when back in the room.
Check-out was easy, a video checkout service. I did see on our paperwork that it should be at a pre-arranged time, but 20 minutes before check-out time a quick call to the front desk to say that I didn't pre-arrange the time and need to leave in 20 minutes. I was told there was no additional charges by the staff member and I was simply asked to leave the keys in the room.
Stayed at other SVC properties in addition to Hiltons, Hyatts, Sheratons and other chains. The feel here was more of staying in a condo than at a resort, but we chalked it up to the unusual hotel-within-a-hotel premise, and just enjoyed our stay.

Based on the past few reviews, our expectations for this hotel within the Renaissance Ilikai were pretty low, however when we arrived our trepidation slowly subsided. I do say slowly due to tired exterior of the hotel and our experience during check in. When we checked in (on the second floor) our room wasn't quite ready yet. I should mention that we were about an hour and a half ahead of official check in time. To fill in the time the hotel "concierge" introduced himself, saying he could help us save money during our stay. Though, his "help" seemed more like a pitch for a timeshare. The Ilikai security was more helpful with information about getting around.

After about 30 minutes or so, we got our keys and were off to the slow elevators. By incorporating some previous advice found on TA into our elevator calling strategy the maximum time we waited for an elevator was 5 minutes. One person would go around the corner and call the lone bather's elevator, while the other would call the main elevators then wait and we'd jump on the first available car. We figured this imposed only a small negative externality on the other guests.

Our room was on the 13th floor and had a city view. The room was clean and bright, I think it had granite floors and counters in the kitchen and bathroom. The upholstery and linen pattern seemed a bit out of style but looked clean. The kitchen was fully stocked with the necessary things to make a meal, though, nothing to clean the dishes. (We later found that the maid would do our dishes sometime in the afternoon along with the usual daily upkeep).

The hotel location was about an eight minute walk from the Ala Moana Center which had two supermarkets for groceries, plus a number of restaurants. The hotel was also a five minute walk to the Hilton Lagoon which seemed connected to the tip of Waikiki Beach. To get to the more touristy and crowded Waikiki Beach Park (which offered board and snorkel rentals) was about a 10 - 15 min bus ride. Though we did prefer the beaches in Kailua, but that is another review.

We did not have any issues with the noise from the construction at the Hilton next door. I should note that did have another wing of the Ilikai as a noise buffer.The only thing that woke us up in the morning was the sun rising over the city. The east facing room was luckily situated over a bend in the road below, so the sunrise was not blocked by any of the surrounding hotels.

A couple demerits in addition to the concierge: The AC controls didn't seem to work, so the only way to shut off the blasting AC was to open the sliding doors leading to the lanai. Also the maid service seemed a bit wasteful in replacing even the unused towels rather than using the "floor policy" found in other hotels.

I should also note, that during our stay one afternoon some of the (Ilikai) workers and permanent residents protested in front of the building. It had something to do with the new ownership, though didn't get much of the details.

I'd consider staying here again, but if all else equal, I'd preferably stay at a newer hotel.

Many, many problems. First day visit to office to be informed we'd been given a room for city view when we requested and paid for an ocean view. Office staff (especially one female) was very rude. After 2 days of "discussion" we were given the worst room (owner/rental) ever. It hadn't been updated since early 70s and certainly showed it. Appliances didn't work right, it was the most unclean room I've ever rented (and most expensive), the towels, bed linens and dishes were a bunch of OLD missmatches, no cleaning service (have always had at least one day a week, usually two) and we had to wash linens and towels before we left or be charged for it. The pool was small and closed in by 8 foot walls so you couldn't even see the ocean. Very few activities, we spent most of our time enjoying the activities at the Hilton, next door. The elevators were the worst. Take a book along to read while you wait and wait. A new Hilton is going up next door so the noise was awful, 7:00 am until 4:30 pm ever day but Sunday. Construction began the day before we left on the hotel on the other side so I can only imagine how the noise level has increased.
I can say the view was GREAT. The only thing that kept us there.
Would I ever go back? NO Would I recommend it to anyone? NO.

Very strange place - since it is within another hotel. Went to the front desk not realizing this. They directed to the second floor to an office for check-in. (Well, once we finally got on the elevator.) The staff was okay, but not overly friendly. Our room on the 12th floor (city view) was not ready. Came back at check-in time to learn we were moved to the 5th floor. Assured that this is a better room since it was a partial ocean view. We were told that an owner didn't like the room since it was only the 5th, so they bumped us. Got to the room which was not a bad room, although it smelled musty, only to find out that yes we did have a partial ocean view, but the REAL view was of the VERY loud construction. From 7:30 am til around 6:00pm. Bed was old and had a huge dip in it. NO RESTAURANT. Also I used the shuttle company the hotel recommended (Reliable Shuttle)... Had trouble on transfers to and from airport. 1/2 hour late for our return to the airport - and crammed in as many people as possible. The pros: Walking distance to the beach, room is large enough and did have nice kitchenette, also clean. The bellmen were very nice and friendly. Helped us more than the desk. The word "resort" in the hotel name is VERY deceiving - nothing resort like about this property AT all. Explains why most of the people we ran into seemed so grumpy. Would never stay here again. What I thought would be a nice treat for Valentine's Day turned out to be a huge disappointment.