Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk {US-HI}
Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk
201 Beach Walk Honolulu, HI US 96815
Embassy Suites Waikiki review (12 Photos)
Embassy Suites Hotel - Waikiki Beach Walk
I stayed at this hotel with my wife and son from July 4-6, 2016. Here's my review!
Check In
We arrived at approximately 3:30 PM on the day of check-in. The car was taken by the valet at the entrance after taking down our name. We then proceeded to the check-in desks, which were in the open air area near the entrance. All of the front desk agents were seated at tables and there were chairs for the guests as well. We were all given a Hawaiian drink (passionfruit, guava, and orange juice).
We had booked the lowest level reward (2 double beds, city view) and I asked if they did upgrades for Diamond members. They said that they do, but the hotel was completely booked. I did check the app prior to arrival and indeed the hotel was sold out, so I don't think this was the typical, lazy "we don't feel like upgrading you" experience that I have experienced at other Hilton properties.
Room
We received room 707 in the Aloha tower. We found the room to be clean and pretty much typical for Embassy Suites, except that all rooms have a balcony that is actually usable (and a small table and two chairs are provided on the balcony). At this property the breakfast is provided on the 4th floor, and guest rooms appear to start on the 5th, and there were 21 floors total. So this was definitely not a high floor or a room with a view.
It was possible to catch a glimpse of the ocean between the buildings when sticking one's head over the railing and looking at a 90 degree angle. (The Hula tower, which is the structure dominating the left half of this picture, would have the rooms with better views.)
One point of note on the Aloha tower: it has only 2 elevators, and they are small and slow. More often than not, we opted for the stairs.
There was some noise (muffled music) in our room, but it subsided by 10:00 PM each day.
Dining
It was pretty standard fare for Embassy Suites, with the addition of a few "Hawaiian" options (e.g. having passionfruit guava juice in the machine) and also some more Asian style choices (e.g. rice). All in all it was pretty good.
As we were still jetlagged (this was our first 2 days in Hawaii) we were wide awake at 6:30 AM and went pretty much right when it opened. It was still fairly busy, and the omelette station is located right near the buffet and created a bit of congestion even in the "light" time.
Location
It's a few blocks from the beach. There are a bunch of shops within walking distance, including a 7-11 just up the road for snacks and beverages.
Things we did not do
Since we had 2 days on Oahu for a more rapid tour of highlights such as driving to the north shore and visiting Pearl Harbor, before heading off to a beachfront property in Maui for a week, we did not go to the beach or use the pool in Waikiki. Also, we did not attend the afternoon reception on any day that we were there.
Internet
The typically crappy internet experience I've come to expect from most Hilton properties continues here. The ping times were horrible, as the connection seemed to come out in or near Kansas City, MO which does cause quite a bit of latency from Hawaii as the first hop.
Some speedtest.net ratings:
Download | Upload | Ping |
2.84 | 0.28 | 345 |
1.55 | 0.70 | 154 |
3.43 | 0.04 | 85 |
There were some times when speedtest could not even get a connection, and some where the upload speed was reported as 0.00. Most of our internet use while at this property was therefore accomplished by tethering to a cell phone (which got 91.88 MB down, 34.18 MB up, and a ping time of 38).
Overall
Priced at a whopping 70,000 points per night and as a category 13 distinctive rewards property, I think that's a bit high compared to other Hiltons I've been to, but the premium is the location and the free breakfast for everyone is a money-saver. The parking (valet only) is $35 per night, which is in line with the prices posted on the various parking garages in the area. There is also no annoying resort fee here.
Diamond recognition was pretty much non-existent here, since there was no upgrade available and breakfast is free to everyone at this brand. The 2 bottles of water was pretty much the only HHonors-specific benefit here.
We also stayed one night at the new Hilton Garden Inn (since there was no points availability at this Embassy Suites for our 3rd night on Oahu). I think that this Embassy Suites is great for a family since there's a lot more room than the HGI, but the overall HHonors Diamond benefits came at the HGI in terms of an upgraded room and a better breakfast.
Overall I'd say you can't go wrong here.
One thing you missed out on is one of the best evening receptions at any ES. They serve it next to the pool and most nights have a live band. Especially when you consider the cost of adult beverages in Waikiki, its nice to get a few for free....
A few things stood out:
1. I was "upgraded" but as a party of two, that upgrade to a 2-bedroom suite was largely pointless. I would have preferred a better location.
2. Breakfast was a bit of a cafeteria/dormitory type affair. The food was fine and it wasn't great or terrible
3. The location is good for walking/exploring.
When I log in my HH account, I'm able to select Myway benefits and in tha case of ES, HH Diamond member can choose 1) three kinds of snack/drink or 2) 1000 HH points as a welcome gift.
However, nothing was mentioned in this thread...so that means I don't expect any welcome gift in this hotel as HH Diamond member?
The evening drinks and breakfast is quite nice along with the location of the hotel. I avoided the HHV and spent a night here before moving to the Hilton Waikiki Beach for five nights.
The evening drinks and breakfast is quite nice along with the location of the hotel. I avoided the HHV and spent a night here before moving to the Hilton Waikiki Beach for five nights.
I was surprised that one received nothing but now you mentioned that you received even two benefits fro ES Waikiki. Just wondering that whether you asked while checking in or ES offered by themselves?
I was surprised that one received nothing but now you mentioned that you received even two benefits fro ES Waikiki. Just wondering that whether you asked while checking in or ES offered by themselves?