soonerfanatic

This mega resort doesn’t really care about status. For the F&B credit it is a daily credit that you lose it if you don’t use it on a daily basis. Good luck getting more than a bagel/ pastrie and coffee for the prices they charge here. It really is shameful compared to how it used to be when I stayed here 10 years ago. Just came from the Grand Hyatt Kauai as a Globalist with club lounge access, no parking or resort charge. This is night and day difference for the worst. The best part is getting to snorkel with the sea turtles and amazing fish.

MileageAddict

Resort fee went up from $40 per night to $45 per night. Parking fee went up from $37 per night to $39 per night.

mpeterson78

Gotta make up for that extra $5 of breakfast credits they have to give you now!

ChurnieEls

I got upgraded here as Diamond earlier in the year and had the F&B credit applied in full to my folio. YMMV.

Comps to Globalist aren't valid either in my opinion, Hyatt doesn't hand out top tier status like Hilton do with the Aspire ergo there will be more Diamonds competing for upgrades etc compared to Hilton.

soonerfanatic

Nickel and diming is in full effect here. Get ready and watch your bill / charges. While a minor amount, the oatmeal at Nui includes juice / coffee but they will add it as an extra charge of $5.

if you don’t like noise or have trouble sleeping, bring your earplugs for the makai tower. The birds have a nightly disco party throughout the night.

We went to Kings and Kailua for meals instead of waiting and receiving the horrible service at the property.

The spa is only open for services here, no steam/jacuzzi.

You have to request daily housekeeping here and even at that there were 2 days where we came back and the room was not visited. Get ready to call and wait to request more coffee packages and shampoo.

Overall, this place is lacking in so many ways for such a great location and potential. Sad for the HHonors brand. Other properties are so much better

Alex_I

Of course, HHonors Diamond is night and day away from Hyatt Globalist in USA! However, not much changed from what I remember from ca. 10 years ago. Back then, if you are a Diamond you get a Makai room as an upgrade and the breakfast benefit was $10/day/person room credit. This Spring it was raised to $15 but your bagel is likely to cost more. The bottom line: this hotel is known for giving very little in terms of Elite recognition. So it cannot fall much lower.

Alex_I

Hilton and Marriott (at least in USA) typically have very few suites in their hotels and that is another reason why one rarely gets upgraded. But in some properties with large fraction of higher category rooms (e.g. Hilton Bentley, South Beach), your chances for an upgrade are quite good.

DCAhome

Staying here now, and I’d agree it’s a disappointment. I avoided the resort fee by staying on points. Paid for an upgrade to get a better room. Daily credit evaporates if you’re lucky enough to use it. I was waiting just to get into the Kona Tap Room. Would not recommend this property to any Hilton elite.

nldogbert

Hi,

I am looking at the possibility to spend a night on this side of the island, and was considering the Ocean Tower by HGV, I am wondering how's the treatment and benefits for Diamonds and it it's worth the value - its going for about $300 (incld resort fees) for the date I'm looking at?

From the discussion of the Hilton Waikoala Villange in general, it seems it's a place to avoid. If management is the same, looks like it's better I just find another property or a non-Hilton property for this one night.

Cheers!

DCAhome

I’d recommend looking for alternatives. They are not a bad property, simply a poor value. For example, once I was finally seated in the Hula bar, I ordered beer and tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole. The salsa and guacamole were good, but they cost $12. Everything is like that on property. The parking is $39 and as far away as they could put it. They don’t want you to leave the property.

sannmann

The HGV is a separate property from the Hilton hotel; although, they’re all part of the same complex.

HGV will not give you a food and beverage credit as a Diamond. Consider it to be renting a timeshare.

worldiswide

Thanks for this review. We have a 3 night stay booked in December on points. We have a car, and plan to spend most of the days outside of the hotel exploring the island so lowering our expectations since we have been treated so well in many other locales. What upgrade did you pay for and did you feel it was worth it? I am thinking 60k isnt a bad redemption if the nightly price is over 400.

DCAhome

I had several e-upgrade offers, and I ended up putting in for the $111/night offer for a Makai room with a lanai. It was nice to walk out to the pools and lagoon, but the view was not as good as the balcony rooms. I'd chalk that up to personal preference. We had used points to book a Palace Tower room with a garden view (i.e., no view). I would do the upgrade again. If nothing else, you're much closer to the parking lot, and there's a back way into the Makai Tower through the spa, which cuts down on the walking from the car to the room. We actually never had to ride the tram to get to our tower.

Also, there was tax in addition to the $111/night charge but they did not add on the resort fee.

worldiswide

Great explanation and persuasive points for doing the e-upgrades. Thanks so much!

Eujeanie

We had a Makai room with the balcony, and the view was really great (the ocean past the pool), but we had to walk around the whole building to get to the pool, so there are trade-offs.