Mar 29, 2015, 3:32 am
DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in Hawaii, USA {US-HI}
Jun 5, 2016, 3:19 pm
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Possible at HHV or Hilton Waikiki, Grand Wailea really doubtful. In fact, someone posted a rant thread about Grand Wailea recently on that very subject (no standard rooms available for July).
Jun 5, 2016, 7:25 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
Unless you want the full "resort" setup, and just want to stay in Hawaii, I always push my personal choice: ES Beachwalk as best value.
Food can be expensive on the islands. Free great breakfast as well as generous free drinks at night is a plus here, esp. for families with kids.
It's not as overrun as Hilton pools - it's got a mellow but very nice pool/tanning area. Rooms way bigger than other HH properties in area. Oahu has a lot to do, or you can get away from the bustling vibe of Waikikii and go more secluded North Shore and Eastside places to snorkle or hike.
I don't dig Grand Wailea. I've been there a few times, it's pool is unmatched for kids, grounds great, but "value"... Eh, it's a lovely hotel with no extra niceties and a fee everywhere you go. No food or drinks that don't cost an arm and leg. So even if you're maximizing a free cert or points where you purport to get a value, you're gonna spend money if you participate in any of the resort's attractions outside of pool and free bikes.
Hilton Resort on Waikikii is a little loud/overrun with kids. The pools and such are crowded. Nice, but again, no food benefits (I'm diamond, got upgraded but that's it).
Parking is a wash everywhere, no freebies - maybe the new HGI in Kauai, dunno.
Things just seem easy and i never feel ripped off at the ES. It may not have a beach, but it's just across the street from a nice big reasonably empty one as well as having a ton to do in either direction.
Food can be expensive on the islands. Free great breakfast as well as generous free drinks at night is a plus here, esp. for families with kids.
It's not as overrun as Hilton pools - it's got a mellow but very nice pool/tanning area. Rooms way bigger than other HH properties in area. Oahu has a lot to do, or you can get away from the bustling vibe of Waikikii and go more secluded North Shore and Eastside places to snorkle or hike.
I don't dig Grand Wailea. I've been there a few times, it's pool is unmatched for kids, grounds great, but "value"... Eh, it's a lovely hotel with no extra niceties and a fee everywhere you go. No food or drinks that don't cost an arm and leg. So even if you're maximizing a free cert or points where you purport to get a value, you're gonna spend money if you participate in any of the resort's attractions outside of pool and free bikes.
Hilton Resort on Waikikii is a little loud/overrun with kids. The pools and such are crowded. Nice, but again, no food benefits (I'm diamond, got upgraded but that's it).
Parking is a wash everywhere, no freebies - maybe the new HGI in Kauai, dunno.
Things just seem easy and i never feel ripped off at the ES. It may not have a beach, but it's just across the street from a nice big reasonably empty one as well as having a ton to do in either direction.
Jun 5, 2016, 8:12 pm
#33
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Hilton Waikiki provides value at 40k/50k per night. One block walk to the beach. Decent rooms with usable balconies (not just "juliet balconies").
As gold I booked a paid stay at the lowest rate on the non-ocean side, was upgraded to 30th floor full ocean view. Exec lounge in the basement has OK offerings but is FAR too small for the demand. Opens at 06:00 for breakfast, all table space claimed at 06:05. If you didn't want to deal with the crush, you could always walk a few blocks to the Rainbow Drive-in for a cheap breakfast Loco Moco.
As gold I booked a paid stay at the lowest rate on the non-ocean side, was upgraded to 30th floor full ocean view. Exec lounge in the basement has OK offerings but is FAR too small for the demand. Opens at 06:00 for breakfast, all table space claimed at 06:05. If you didn't want to deal with the crush, you could always walk a few blocks to the Rainbow Drive-in for a cheap breakfast Loco Moco.
Jun 5, 2016, 8:39 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Jun 7, 2016, 9:12 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
Hilton Waikiki provides value at 40k/50k per night. One block walk to the beach. Decent rooms with usable balconies (not just "juliet balconies").
As gold I booked a paid stay at the lowest rate on the non-ocean side, was upgraded to 30th floor full ocean view. Exec lounge in the basement has OK offerings but is FAR too small for the demand. Opens at 06:00 for breakfast, all table space claimed at 06:05. If you didn't want to deal with the crush, you could always walk a few blocks to the Rainbow Drive-in for a cheap breakfast Loco Moco.
As gold I booked a paid stay at the lowest rate on the non-ocean side, was upgraded to 30th floor full ocean view. Exec lounge in the basement has OK offerings but is FAR too small for the demand. Opens at 06:00 for breakfast, all table space claimed at 06:05. If you didn't want to deal with the crush, you could always walk a few blocks to the Rainbow Drive-in for a cheap breakfast Loco Moco.
Jun 7, 2016, 9:59 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,912
Redemption values are rather iffy and status benefits are limited (even by watered down hilton standards) - you are much better off looking for good specials or priceline deal. Save points for less touristy destination.
Most chains expect ppl to redeem points in hawaii so they make sure you dont get anything for free...
Most chains expect ppl to redeem points in hawaii so they make sure you dont get anything for free...
Jun 7, 2016, 10:56 am
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
Of the Hilton resorts, I will say we greatly enjoyed our HWV trip some years ago. This was the era of 100,000 ALON awards and a fantastic lounge in the Ocean Tower that Golds were given access to. But even post-multiple-devaluations of HH, I'd still say this is a nice resort.
Each Hawaiian island has its own vibe. If I only had 5 days, I'd probably pick the one island I was most interested in and figure out the hotel after that. Since July is a *little* off-peak (well, relative to Christmas...I don't think Hawaii is ever totally off-peak), maybe you'll have luck looking at VRBO, Priceline, etc.
It would also seem like the season when they'd want to do timeshare promos, so if you can stand that kind of thing I know there are periodic offers out there with all of the big brands. Starwood and Marriott both regularly mail me stuff about their Hawaiian timeshares, with the 5-night offer for your promotional stay being the most common. (A typical one is $700 + tax for a run-of-house hotel room plus some bonus points or rental car credit.)
Each Hawaiian island has its own vibe. If I only had 5 days, I'd probably pick the one island I was most interested in and figure out the hotel after that. Since July is a *little* off-peak (well, relative to Christmas...I don't think Hawaii is ever totally off-peak), maybe you'll have luck looking at VRBO, Priceline, etc.
It would also seem like the season when they'd want to do timeshare promos, so if you can stand that kind of thing I know there are periodic offers out there with all of the big brands. Starwood and Marriott both regularly mail me stuff about their Hawaiian timeshares, with the 5-night offer for your promotional stay being the most common. (A typical one is $700 + tax for a run-of-house hotel room plus some bonus points or rental car credit.)
Jun 7, 2016, 5:09 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I had a nice stay at ES Beachwalk several years back on a GLONP, but I'm not sure if it's still a great value these days. Also, It no longer has much in the way of beach views since the Trump Tower next door went up. Still, if it fits your redemption requirements, it's a great property with plenty in walking distance (beach, shopping, restaurants, other resorts, etc), good size rooms, good breakfast, and drink reception (2 drinks per guest when I was there, maybe more liberal now?).
Jun 24, 2016, 8:35 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,470
Very brief stay in Honolulu
I have a very short stay (1 night) coming up in Honolulu and it seems my choices are the DoubleTree Alana, Hilton Waikiki Beach (about $15 more than the DoubleTree) and the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki (about $35 more than the DoubleTree).
Using points, the Hilton Waitiki is 50K, while the others are both 60K for the night
Which hotel do you think I should opt for? FYI, I am a Diamond.
Using points, the Hilton Waitiki is 50K, while the others are both 60K for the night
Which hotel do you think I should opt for? FYI, I am a Diamond.
Jun 27, 2016, 12:13 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
I have a very short stay (1 night) coming up in Honolulu and it seems my choices are the DoubleTree Alana, Hilton Waikiki Beach (about $15 more than the DoubleTree) and the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki (about $35 more than the DoubleTree).
Using points, the Hilton Waitiki is 50K, while the others are both 60K for the night
Which hotel do you think I should opt for? FYI, I am a Diamond.
Using points, the Hilton Waitiki is 50K, while the others are both 60K for the night
Which hotel do you think I should opt for? FYI, I am a Diamond.
Jul 6, 2016, 5:37 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, Hyatt - Platinum
Posts: 98
Hi! When looking for a room in Hawaii in January, the Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei came up. It sounds like it's in a new shopping center development. Anybody have thoughts on this location? I'm thinking that it might be a nice alternative to Waikiki... I would have a rental car and plan to explore. The prices are quite reasonable for Hawaii - there are some $125ish paid rates or cash and points of $65 + 16,000 pts for the dates I'm considering.
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hot...XHX/index.html
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hot...XHX/index.html
Nov 10, 2016, 8:19 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bay Area, California, USA
Programs: 10-year UA 1K and 2 MM, then AA EXP, now BA Silver; next stop, Kayak
Posts: 781
Nov 11, 2016, 7:20 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
The Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei is 16.9 miles from HNL according to Bing Maps. By comparison, the DoubleTree Alana Waikiki Beach is 8.4 miles. The wildcard for travel time would be traffic.
HNL to Hampton Inn Kapolei: https://binged.it/2eLM9Zw
HNL to DoubleTree Alana: https://binged.it/2g463UV
HNL to Hampton Inn Kapolei: https://binged.it/2eLM9Zw
HNL to DoubleTree Alana: https://binged.it/2g463UV