I stayed at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in the beginning of February 2012. My usual pros and cons:
> Great value! Again, by using cheaprooms.com, I was able to procure a great rate.
> The guest rooms in the hotel have been recently renovated and were comfortable and stylish. Guest services were pleasant and attentive. Free internet! Fridges and safes in each room!
>It sits directly on the beach - which was lovely.
>It is steps away from the gentrified "Beach Walk Waikiki" - which is splendid for shopping and browsing - every store you could want is there. It is hopping until 11 PM every night - when the stores close. GREAT LOCATION.
>Fun music out by the pool each evening until 9 PM.
Cons:
>There are no chairs for guests of the hotel to use on the beach; rather - if you want a chair and/or umbrella - you will pay approximately $30 to a local vendor.
>The food at the hotel restaurants is average at best.
>Pool is in a courtyard and does not see much sun.

Honestly, overall, it was a great stay and I highly recommend the hotel.

I took my wife and two kids to Oahu in January and we stayed at the Outrigger on the Beach for five nights. We were very happy with this hotel! We stayed in a City View One Bedroom Suite and were happy with the accommodations. The room was new, fresh and clean. There was plenty of room and everything functioned well. We're very picky when it comes to cleanliness and were more than satisfied with our room and the hotel facilities.

The location is great, walking distance to most everything near Waikiki. We were happy with the restaurants - we ate at the Shore Bird twice and had a great meal at an average price both times. The poolside restaurant serves excellent calamari and chicken strips (!) - we had at least two pool-side meals there as well.

Note that the hotel entrance can get very busy with folks dropping off cars to the valet, tour buses picking folks up and pedestrians walking to and from the beach. Leave yourself a few extra minutes to get in and out.

Finally, beware of other reviews, there are several Outriggers in Honolulu. From what I saw at this hotel, it's been recently remodeled and is still fresh and clean. I know there are other Outriggers that haven't been recently renovated.

Been coming to the Reef a few times a year (business) since 2006. I could list everything that is good about this hotel, but then this review would go on way too long. A few things worth mentioning: excellent central location, extremely friendly service, well kept rooms with very nice furnishings, free internet, fridge in the room, well built hotel (i.e. very little noise from the hallway or other rooms), and the list goes on. I would definitely consider this hotel if you are coming to honolulu!

Stayed at the outrigger reef 2 years in a row both on the week before the honolulu marathon. BOth times booked an oceanview room, with a great view of the ocean and diamond head. Love the staff here, nice aloha spirit, only thing that bothered me was that they don't allow guest to return cars rented from the hertz in the basement now after 3pm or they'll charge you over night parking. Otherwise room is great, and I just love sitting on the lanai listening to the music from below. I avoid the shorebird as there are way better places in waikiki for breakfast or if you have a car, go hit up a okazu!

As everyone noted beach sucks right in front, me and the wife always head over to the royal hawaiian part and lounge there! Location is convenient, while not right on kapahulu, it is convenient enough to it where you avoid the noise and crowds!(the previous time stayed at the HHV and never again its way too far)