The Sheraton Waikiki towers over Waikiki Beach, with 1,636 guestrooms and suites spread across 30 floors. It’s one of the busiest hotels in Honolulu (and on Oahu), with thousands of people onsite at any given time — dining at its restaurants (of which there are three, plus room service); swimming in its glorious pools (including the largest pool in Waikiki); unwinding at the spa; experimenting with new water sports, such as outrigger canoeing; or simply digging their toes into the soft, warm sand, mere steps from the hotel.

As busy as the hotel is, however, it never feels too crowded, and offers plenty of quiet spaces to relax (not just the beach) and a staff that strives to make you feel at home — as anyone should when vacationing by the sea.

For more information, visit Sheraton.

Each guestroom and suite features a private lanai (balcony) and coffemaker; in-room movies also come in hand when it's time for a break from the hot sun. Most rooms come with one king or two double beds.

Cribs are available with advance notice and are complimentary; connecting rooms are also available with advance notice. Rollaway beds are available as well, but there's a charge of $120 per night, plus tax.

Bonus: The hotel's housekeeping staff will leave towel animals in your room -- a fun perk for kids!

Deluxe Ocean View Front
This room is the ultimate, with a private bedroom with a king bed and a sofa bed in the living area.

Ocean Front
This room is situated right on the ocean, offering magnificent views. It comes with one king bed or two doubles.

Ocean View
While this room isn't fully oceanfront, it does provide slight views of the ocean. It has one king bed or two doubles.

Partial Ocean View
If you turn your heard from the balcony in your room, you'll be able to see the ocean (hence "partial ocean view"). This room has one king or two double beds.

Mountain View
This room faces the dramatic Ko'olau Mountains. It has one king bed or two doubles.

City View
This room faces other buildings in Waikiki. It has one king or two double beds.

Leahi Club Room (Family, Club Ocean, Club Mountain
This room is equipped with three double beds, accommodating up to six people.

Beach
The Sheraton Waikiki is one of just seven hotels located right on the beach in Waikiki. Water sports, such as outrigger canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, are available via an outside vendor, and the hotel also provides umbrellas and chairs for $50 per day (one umbrella and two chairs).

Pools
The hotel has two swimming pools (well, technically three). Two are designed with families in mind and -- combined with a waterslide, whirlpools, private cabanas ($55 per day), a sprayground for young kids and a stage for events (hosted nightly) -- create the largest pool complex in Waikiki! Called Helumoa Playground, it's open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with the whirpools open until 10.

The resort's Infinity Edge Pool is also open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and truly looks as though it pours right into the Pacific Ocean. It is open to adults only.

Additionally, guests may also use the pool at the Royal Hawaiian next door.

Cultural Programming
Covered in a resort fee, cultural programming is offered daily, and is a great way for kids to make new friends and learn about the local culture. Activities include lei making, hula dancing and ukulele lessons.

The Edge of Waikiki
The Edge serves light bites by the pools (think sandwiches and salads), 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Beverage service is offered 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with last call at 9:30).

RumFire
RumFire is undeniably chic. (How could it not be with a name like that?) Attracting patrons from all over the area, the restaurant specializes in small plates of cuisine known as Pacific Rim of Fire. It's open 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. It's best for families with teens, though younger children are also welcome. One child age 5 and under eats free with a paying adult at RumFire (but not by the pool).

Kai Market
Kai Market is the most family-friendly option for dining onsite, with buffets for breakfast (6 to 11 a.m.) and dinner (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.). One child age 5 and under eats free with each paying adult. Children ages 6 to 12 also eat free from the full buffet (free meal per one adult meal), courtesy of the Kids Eat Free (KEF12) promotion.

Room Service
Don't want to leave your room to eat? You don't have to! Room service is offered for breakfast, 6 to 11 a.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.

Additional Food Options
The resort also has a pizza joint (Hapas Pizza) and a Baskin Robbins for sweet treats by the pool.

All About the Extras
Resort Fee
The mandatory resort fee is $31.41 per day (admittedly the steepest we've seen in the area); however, it includes a lot of extras that other resort fees don't: self parking, a photo shoot with a 4x6 photo to take home (other photos available for purchase); and coupons for local attractions. It also covers long-distance calls; bottled water; fitness classes; cultural activities, such as lei making; and adult floats for the pool.

Fitness Center
The hotel's fitness center is open 24 hours a day with key card access. Additional fitness classes are available and included in the resort fee.

Laundry
There are coin-operated laundry facilities onsite, and laundry detergent is available for purchase.

Shopping
Like most hotels in Waikiki, this one has several stores (about 20, to be exact) onsite, selling everything from boutique clothing to toiletries.

Check-In and Check-Out
Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
The hotel is busy year-round, but is especially full during the winter holidays and spring break.

Getting There
The Sheraton Waikiki is about a half an hour from Honolulu International Airport, with light traffic factored in. The drive is easy -- most of it is highway (I-H-1).

Getting Around
You don't need a car if you're only planning to spend time in Waikiki, as everything is within fairly easy walking distance. If you'd like to explore North Shore, you'll want your own vehicle to get there.

For Mom and Dad
Head to Spa Khakara for a relaxing treatment. It's open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and reservations are recommended. Afterward, walk over to the Royal Hawaiian for a drink at the Mai Tai Bar.