Hilton HHonors - ALON at the Hilton Waikoloa Village

I have an ALON vacation booked at the Hilton Waikoloa Village coming up and was wondering about the room accommodations.
Can you receive an upgrade room while using the ALON award?
If you can which is better? An executive room or a suite or do they have executive suites.
I might be a platinum by then, will it matter?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">I might be a platinum by then, will it matter?</font>

Platinum what?

I upgraded from an ALON last December to the concierge floor (for three rooms!) with no problem, but the hotel was at about 50%. Call about one month ahead of time and ask to have the request for an upgrade put in your record.

I highly recommend the upgrade if you can get it as the concierge level has a free breakfast every morning and a cocktail hour in the afternoons. As I had the entire family with me (see three rooms above), this was invaluable as everyone would meet up for breakfast and then again for the cocktail/soda hour.

I am assuming you mean Diamond status versus Platinum (?). If there is any way at all you can get there, please do. Diamond members (and this applied to all the rooms) have free access to the spa daily for workouts/exercise classes and hot tub/sauna (non-Diamonds pay $10/person/day if I remember correctly). The amenities for the higher level VIP at this facility are fantastic - we had a one of our best vacations ever. The only downside was the $6 beers at poolside, the bar tab can get a bit shocking by week end :-) Be sure and do a snorkeling trip as well if you have time (the concierge will even set it up for you) - good luck.

Ask for the upgrade as suggested, but even if you don't get in the Ocean Tower where they are located you can get access to the Towers/Concierge Lounge for breakfast, mid-day snacks, and evening appetizers, etc. as long as you are Gold HHonors or higher.

We were just there a couple of months ago (4th time?), and they will usually upgrade you to the towers if you are Gold. Sometimes the hotel is booked solid and then they can't grant access to the priority lounge (one of the best you will ever find). Instead, they comped us for the breakfast buffet every morning - which is about a $40 value. Fabulous hotel - one of our favorites in the world - great restaurants both onsite and offsite (you have to do Roy's) and there is this charming french place....but its a drive.

I do mean Diamond. Sorry got my program levels mixed up.
It looks like I am in for a great 2nd Honeymoon (20th Anniversary).
Are there any views that are better than others? Some rooms to avoid?
Thanks all for the input.

The sixth floor in the Ocean Tower is the concierge floor and has unobstructed ocean views - all of the rooms on this floor looked great to me - we loved the ones on the end. Happy 20th and be sure to mention this when requesting your upgrade!

The only room I would even have concern with are those by the big pool (the tower with the spa) - great if you want to use the spa quite a bit, but much louder than the Ocean Tower (and a long walk over to the concierge lounge for the evening mai tai).

I also agree that Roy's for dinner is a must! Have a great time, you will not be disappointed.

Check a previous topic on experiences at this property:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001916.html

The lounge breakfasts are probably the best of any USA Hilton. The evening appy's are fine, but please note the booze is NOT free. You are "forced" to pour your own drinks and fill out a card, but I hear some people pour with a very very heavy hand. As a Diamond I was always upgraded or allowed access to the lounge.

Please note, the lounge starts removing the evening appy's promptly at 700 PM, and I have heard the US Navy sets their ship chronometers by the starting time of this operation. Enjoy the nice islands and this very wonderful hotel. Itsa winner.

MisterNice

[This message has been edited by MisterNice (edited 06-27-2001).]

I just got back yesterday from the Waikoloa, and was upgraded to the Towers Floor in the Ocean Tower. FABULOUS. The staff in the Towers Lounge is extremely friendly and very attentive. Their breakfasts are wonderful, and the sodas, juice and cookies are great for the kids as a mid day snack. We just celebrated an aniversary there (which we happened to mention to Deiter Seeger, the general manager) and he promptly sent us a major fruit plate and champagne, gratis http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This is a fabulous property! Happy 20th. You'll thoroughly enjoy it!

I just got back for the Waikoloa today. I had a fabulous ocean view room in the Lagoon Tower(but YES it is extremely noisy!!)
I love to leave my door open to get the sea breeze and the fresh air. There were people laughing at the pool underneath my room every night around 2am and the pool cleaners talking at 6am the the towel barrows clunking along the pavement at 3am.
I also thought the lounge-although complimentry was a very ordinary breakfast the the food was reasonably good at night but the honor bar is a bit of a pain.
I then went to Hyatt Waikiki-
Now THATS a great complimentry lounge!!!!!!Overall I loved the Waikiloa layout and the fabulous cabanas out by the Ocean tower(get there by 8 and you'll get one!
Coming from Australia -with our 50c in the $ I found the prices extremely high and even the US people were saying to leave the hotel and eat outside as it was far cheaper but I was on a ALON and feel that It is courtesy to frequent the hotel establishments and put a little back.A foot long hot dog is $us9!!

------------------
Hyatt Diamond/Hilton Diamond/Starwood Platinum/UA1K-Ansett-WHITE/Qantas-WHITE

[This message has been edited by tinkybelle (edited 07-04-2001).]

Just spent a week an ALON at Waikoloa, our first time. E-P-A-N-S-I-V-E and E$P$E$N$S$I$V$E describe the property. If you are in the Towers, what ever you do don't forget something necessary in your room, from the main lobby you'll spend at least 30 minutes retrieving it. Dinner for two averaged $75 and that's without liquor!! Valet parking is optional and reasonable, $8 a day. Staff very friendly. The spa is fantastic, a must and free for Diamond members. We had a wonderful time.