gvaughn

Hmmm...I'm scheduled to be there in late May. Wonder if this will make my stay better or worse?

mpetrik

Anyone know if this is two rooms? I had a hard time getting an answer from HHV.

gvaughn

Did you call the main Hilton reservation line or the hotel itself? I can't imagine they don't know at the property itself, so I assume you called the Hilton 800 number. Try calling the hotel directly:

808-949-4321

bdemaria

As long as it says 1 bedroom suite, then yes, it is actually three rooms - (if you count the bathroom). The set up is a bit strange though. The front door opens into the bedroom there is a door on one side that opens to a hallway that allows access to the bathroom and then the living room - which opens on to a good size patio. The rooms are oriented so that the living room/patio area has views of the beach & (if you are on a high enough floor) Diamond head.

Ross0

I'm debating between a mountain view room in Kalia ($162/night), a partial ocean view in no specific tower ($186/night) or a room at the HGVC ($197/night).

Any suggestions?

does the HGVC come with free breakfast or evening reception? I've stayed at the NYC HGVC and it did, so i'm not sure if that is available at all properties.

TIA

MayorMcKnife

+1. At about the 8th floor (min) to 17th, you'll see the beach and ocean. Yes, those are surfers out there when the sun comes up!

Just got back from last week from another visit there. A few updates:

March 11 is the reported next closing of the Tapa for breakfast. And it might very well be its last. The beach restaraunt will be re-opening at that point and will allegedly be offering the breakfast buffet, and maybe in lieu of the Rainbow. Nobody knows for certain and there's stress with the staff on their job security. And there are still a few coffee makers available from housekeeping (*55 IIRC).

None sound great WRT to distance to the beach. Go for the cheapest and beg for an upgrade.

Fredd

I'm sorry to read of this. We shared our impressions up-thread about the slightly odd atmosphere and some glitches during our own recent five-night stay. We did enjoy ourselves, we met some nice employees there, and I hope it works out for them and for the property.

Bikeguy

Was there Feb 21-28. Despite a poster claiming they couldn't get into Rainbow as a Diamond without paying extra, my family and the other couple we were traveling with did. We are both Golds. We were on floor 5, they on floor 9. We had the room next to the end.

A Diamond FTer I had drinks with was in Rainbow on floor 24 or 26. All of us had Diamond Head views.

The desk agent said UGs are easier to come by the fuller the hotel.

I requested a junior suite in Tapa with ocean view, as we had been given that without requesting anything specific two years ago. I was Gold then too. The agent said he could get into trouble for that.

BTW, the workout facility is FREE for Silvers and up.

But, you need to wear your workout clothes over, as locker room access has a charge, as it's part of the spa. Both my wife and I worked out several times each, at different times, and were never asked to pay.


Next 3 tips for frugal travelers only-

There is a National car rental about .1 or .2 miles away to the west. Rates were $35 total for a 7AM to 8PM rental. Saves parking fees. I booked 3 days and canceled one the morning of the rental, which the counter help told me to do, as they were sold out and they didn't want me to be without a car if I wanted one. They even said some people book every day and return before 8PM to avoid the parking charges. Just a thought for the frugal traveler.

And with the relatively large group we were with, we visited the Hale Koa grill next door for lunch several times and even dinner at least once. For lunch they have 2 choices for a plate lunch. Had curry chicken and pork and cabbage. Nothing like eating at the picnic tables in the park next to the beach. On Friday night, one couple even brought a fancy spread and a tablecloth to a picnic table. I thought that was a great idea. Good place to see the fireworks from too.

My other frugal travel tip is to talk to the info people (actually timeshare sign up people). Ask them for a bus list. It tells what buses go where from in front of the hotel. We used it to go to the zoo and Diamond Head to hike.

Bikeguy

The other things I found out.

If you want a cot in your room, it's $35 a night. Extra blankets are free, and my kids actually prefer to sleep on the floor.

Two years ago, breakfast was free for our two kids.

Not anymore. Now, kids age 4 and under are free. Kids older than that can order from a fixed menu for about $7.50 , plus about $3 for a drink. Or, cold buffet for about $11. Hot buffet is about $14 or $15 each per kid. My kids tried all three, and there was no obvious choice as to what they prefered.

For adults to UG to a hot breakfast, it's $10 extra for Golds and Diamonds.

There are water slides near the new timeshare. You must show a room key to access the slides at the place you get the towels. My young kids loved the slides and hot tubs. We went 4 days. I know this because my daughter didn't want to cut off the plastic bracelets and she had 4.

Bikeguy

Toured the new HGVC, Waikikiaan. Very impressive, but back from the beach. I'm interested in whether you can get breakfast if you stay there as well.

Commie

I am planning a stay in Oahu and Maui during this xmas...4 days in Maui and 6 nights in Oahu.
Was thinking of using points for the HHV for the 6 nights in Oahu? is that the best option.....I am Diamond with Hilton and Platinum with Marriott, is it better to stay at HHV or the Marriott properties, Marriott Waikiki beach or the JW?

- Is the HHV directly on the beach?
- how's the upgrade for diamonds
- any lounge for diamonds?

cblaisd

The Rainbow Tower is. The other towers are further back.

In my two dozen-ish visits as a Gold or Diamond, have never failed to get an upgrade.

slippahs

Not the best beach for swimming, FWIW. Very rocky about 2 feet into the water. There's the lagoon also but despite efforts to keep the water clean by pumping in sea water a few times a day, there's still sometimes a green grime that builds up right near the shoreline.

If you're looking for a really nice beach, that, IMHO, can't be had in Waikiki.

illa bells

We just got back from a stay here. We were a party of 4, and we, too, were only given 2 breakfast coupons (unlike previous years). Also, they wouldn't provide a cot without charging $35 a night for it (unlike previous years).

The new beachfront restaurant didn't look anywhere near finished, but the signs on the wall said the opening date would be April 2009.

The hotel is still a pleasant place, but for us it's subtly becoming less the default choice it used to be.

aztimm

The Ala Moana beach, just a 5-10 min walk from the HHV, was a great beach for swimming. Actually, there's buoys and poles setup and MANY people who actually swim. It had a nice beach, plenty of sand. Amazing it is so close to Waikiki, yet it seems more locals use it.

As for upgrades, for my trip in Oct 2007, I reserved the cheapest room (don't think a tower was assigned) and ended up in the Ali'i tower. I was happy.