Bamboo

Bamboo Waikiki is a 14-story, 97-unit condotel on Kuhio Avenue built in 1968, occupying a central position in Waikiki that puts the beach, the dining corridor along Kalakaua Avenue, and the International Market Place all within a short walk. The building has a Southeast Asian-inspired character that gives it a distinct personality among Waikiki’s condo inventory, and its legal short-term vacation rental zoning makes it one of the more straightforward entry points into Hawaii’s tourism economy available in the neighborhood.

Units range from compact studios to one-bedrooms, most with private lanais that capture views of the neighborhood, the Ko’olau Mountains, and the ocean on higher floors. A penthouse unit sits at the top with a wraparound lanai that reframes the whole building’s ceiling. The building’s hotel infrastructure — pool, whirlpool, BBQ, concierge, and security — supports the investment case without requiring buyers to piece together management resources on their own.

Waikiki Beach is a block and a half away. Hy’s Steak House, local poke spots, and several ABC Store locations are all nearby, as are the Honolulu Zoo and Ala Moana Center for days that call for something beyond the strip. The location does a lot of the work here.