Originally Posted by FullFare

Wife I had scheduled our 50th wedding anniversary trip here, with pre-paid funds, booked into the Alii tower. Had paid up, unrefundable, since May of this year. Was for 4 days. We had stayed here often (probably 30 times over past 15 yers) and were Hilton Honors Gold (have always been). We did not get a Kamaaina rate.

We suggested a refund that would allow us to devote our funds elsewhere, but no dice. We eventually abandoned the place and took residence elsewhere. We are leaving tomorrow. We at least salvaged a decent time, but were out a lot of money. Wife was intensely bitter about the whole thing, but I have shrugged and am glad we got to enjoy our 50th.

I do think Hilton could have handled it differently and wish they, and the union, hadn't put us customers in the middle. Irony is we have close to a million Honors points and wife refuses to let me book Hilton, at least for now. We'll just have to let the bitterness play itself out. We did walk by the place from our replacement hotel, and it looked half dead. We talked to some guests staying who said they were petitioning to get their resort fees back (a little painful to get charged these things when you have to clean your own toilet).

Glad that some were able to salvage an OK time, but we were not among that group. Could have used an apology form Hilton, but such was not forthcoming. I don't think I will ever book a non-refundable stay again from Hilton---or form any hotel chain for that matter. Even though we were ripped off, we managed to savor our 50th anniversary and are moving on with our lives. Worse things can happen in the world.