What is your budget and do you think you will have a rental car?
The area of Waikiki within the city of Honolulu is packed with hotels and is part of a busy, bustling city so parking fees are really, really high. Like $45-50/usd/night high so a rental car cost is something I always consider when people ask for suggestions.
You have ruled out Aulani area but you can also consider staying up in the North shore if you do not want to stay in the city. It is like night and day as far as how tropical and beachy it. I talk to people all the time that tell me that they did not enjoy Hawaii as much as they thought they would and those people are always the one who only went to Waikiki. Not that Waikiki isn't fun, there is some great shopping and dining, but there is a real issue with homeless people and drugs in and around the area, the pools are pretty small in most hotels and you have to drive in and out to see the rest of how beautiful the island of Oahu is. It is only a very small part of one of the Hawaiian islands you can visit and it tends to turn some people off. Just truly depends.
Some of the hotels I suggest are
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (not Outrigger Reef but it isnt bad either)
https://www.outriggerwaikikihotel.com/The reason I suggest this hotel is that is directly on the beach, it is central within Waikiki and it has a fairly decent standard of rooms for the price. The pool is quite small.
If being
directly on the beach is not important but being close to the beach is then I think the
Waikiki Marriott is a great option. It is directly across Kalakaua Avenue from the beach so a very quick walk
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlmc-waikiki-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa/
If a great pool is what you want then you could look at the
Sheraton Waikiki. It is in an ok location, not as good as the ones above but it is a lovely hotel and is on the beach
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlws-sheraton-waikiki/
OR you could look at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village BUT really do your research on this place. READ REVIEWS. It is located just at the beginning of the Waikiki stretch and it is almost a little city unto itself. There are many towers and they all share the pool areas, some being on the beach and some almost a block away. They have pretty good pools but the super pool is not heated which is fine in the summer but in the winter is can be disappointing, especially if you choose this hotel for the pools. The beach here is ok but kind of reef-y. There is a man made lagoon though, which is fun to splash around in but can get kind of scummy
https://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/
There are off beach budget options too like
The Holiday Inn Express
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/honolulu/hnlka/hoteldetail
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hnlkugi-hilton-garden-inn-waikiki-beach/?SEO_id=GMB-GI-HNLKUGI
but these are a bit of a walk from the beach. They make for an affordable Waikiki home base for touring from
If you have any particular hotel in mind, ask away and I can give you my personal opinion on it