Hilton HHonors - Opinions on Hilton Turtle Bay?

I decided to cash out 100,000 points and go for the 6 free nights in Hawaii award offered to VIP members.

Of the three locations in Hawaii, Turtle Bay seemed like the most appealing.

Has anyone stayed there recently and if so, what was your impression?

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We stayed at Turtle Bay and Waikoloa Village for six award nights each last August. Turtle Bay is a marginal hotel with a great location. It is located in a fairly remote area on a point and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It's also got some nice looking golf courses on-site (I don't play). They were beginning badly needed renovations but I have no idea whether or not these are completed. The hotel and pools are not very special and there a big hunks of concrete missing from the building. It is so close to the sea in an area that has big waves in the winter that I guess the building has been damaged over the years.

Waikoloa Village is incredible, especially for kids. Food is expensive. Getting Towers lounge access saved us saved us probably $100-$150/day on food.

We spent the last day at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The let us use a courtesy room at the end of the day to change and shower before a late flight to SFO based on our stay at Turtle Bay (and maybe Gold status). It kind-of made me think that this would have been a better choice than Turtle Bay.

Turtle Bay is good if you want quiet and out-of-way. There maybe more action during the winter when the surf is up.

Since I have two small children, I would return to Waikoloa as a first choice, Hawaiian Village second, and Turtle Bay a distant third. I also would check to see if there are any new choices with Hiltons aquisition of Promus.

Stayed at Turtle Bay three years ago with a friend. We returned last September to attend a wedding. After the first stay, the obvious conclusion is that this is not long for the Hilton porfolio. The building is on a great piece of property. Everything about the hotel itself might be a disappointment. Room location should determine your happiness for the trip. Anything less than oceanfront (listening to waves crashing) will affect your holiday.

Well, it's still a Hilton and our visit last year would report the same as first. I like the location and the property itself enough to return. If you play golf, tennis, surf...you'll be happy.

The one on the Big Island is fine for families. Hawaian Village is run as a Hilton should be run, including no hassle great rooms. Expect Holiday Inn quality, make sure you get third floor oceanfront and you'll be fine at Turtle Bay.

The post from dhacker is excellent and accurate.

I'm totally in agreement with the previous posts. Stayed at Turtle Bay last Dec. 31 (to avoid the firecracker smoke that was blanketing the rest of O'ahu), and, while I was grateful that there was at least one place on the island where I wouldn't have to spend New Year's Eve coughing and wheezing, I was also wondering how this place could be called a Hilton, let alone be classified as a Premium property!!

The rooms and hallways were still run down then. The location, however, is brethtaking. I personally enjoy the slow, countryside atmosphere of the surrounding area, so different from the rest of O'ahu.

MA, if you like snorkeling or swimming, Turtle Bay would be much better in the summer: without the big waves that pound it in the winter, the North Shore has some of the best snorkeling spots on O'ahu, only 5-10 minutes away.

The winter is better for watching truly acrobatic surfing nearby (I believe Triple Crown is held in November), or you may get in the water if you are a VERY experienced surfer. I wouldn't; but then again, I'm no surfer. I don't golf either, so I can't tell you what the golf course is like; of course, you are more likely to experience brief showers in the winter.

If you'd like to be away from it all (or at least, from most of it) Turtle Bay (or Waikoloa) would be a much better choice than Hawaiian Village, surrounded by the hustle 'n' bustle of Waikiki. Just don't expect much from the hotel itself, as Hedoman warned you...

[This message has been edited by honu (edited 07-23-2000).]

I'd say it is a dissapointing property and would surely pick the Waikaloa on the Big Island, by far, over it especially with kids!

For out of the way, I'd perhaps stay at the now newly renamed, JW Marriott at Koelai! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I appreciate the feedback from all of you. Sadly, the other Hilton locations are unavailable for award code ALON (6 free nights) for the dates planned. Since my family and I are using miles for the air travel, the dates for free travel were limited and I'm not going to mess around trying to change them. The good point is after 6 nights at the Turtle Bay, we will be spending another 5 nights at the Hyatt Kaui (four out of the five nights for free thanks to Gold Passport!) which I have been to before and have been extremely pleased with that Hyatt property.

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[This message has been edited by MileageAddict (edited 07-26-2000).]

Did you check availability directly with the hotel? When I was booking my trip last summer I was advised (by RewardPlanner?) on this forum not to take no for an answer from the hhonors 800 number. I called Waikoloa directly and got exactly what I wanted. They even let me change the dates a few times without hesitation.

I also had a fine few days at Turtle Beach, and enjoyed the remoteness and exploring the northern end of the island. Found the staff and management very welcoming and enjoyed several fine meals, particularly one that was part of a series of wine tasting dinners. This was a few years ago, and I suspect the hotel may be in need of some refurbishing as others have noted. It is a very quiet property compared to its cousin on the "coffee island" which I also have stayed at. The two are very different types of resorts, one designed for the contemplation of the surrounding beauty of its island and surfing beaches, in addition to golf and tennis, the other for a place to keep the family busy in a lush environment amid a growing strip of resorts.

Up[date:

Based on the comments here and additional strong opinions from guests at the Seattle FlyerTalk dinner last night, I decided to try again to change my 6 free night award location. This morning, I was able to switch to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Many say this property is much better for kids (Our 2.5 yr old will be with us) but I'm a little concerned about crowds and being so close to Honolulu. Oh well. I'm going to trust the experience and opinions of my fellow FlyerTalkers on this one. Worst case scenario, I know the stay at Hyatt Kauai will be awesome...

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Wished we had talked in SEA. I'd be more concerned about construction currently in progress at the Village.

Agree with everyone's assessment above of the Turtle Bay Hilton.

I just returned from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I had a great time with a wonderful room and great service. They are building a new tower (scheduled to open in May), but it doesn't interfere with your stay there. I was told that renovations at the Turtle Bay property aren't expected to be completed until spring 2002. Waikoloa Village on the Big Island just completed some changes and additions.