Karen2

These are great pictures! We stayed at the Sheraton (now Marriott Outrigger) in 1982, then at the new Hyatt (now Hilton) in 1988. I loved the Sheraton because it rescued us after the hurricane in Nov but I cried when I had to leave the Hyatt. My family still teases me about it. My most favorite hotel. Still great as a Hilton. Those architecture firm photos of hotels explain to me why I love so many of their hotels, like the Grand Hyatt Bali and Hyatt Kauai. I did not realize the same firm designed them all. What a fabulous job they do.

The Hyatt Waikoloa is all the more interesting since the environmentalists were all over developer Chris Hemmeter (Hyatt Regency Maui) for damaging the environment, calling the hotel a Disneyland and worse. When we arrived and saw that the orginal landscape was a lava flow, we could only laugh.

Thanks for sharing!

readyalready

I've got a reservation for next month using (gasp) real money. I've searched and read old threads til my eyes blurred and have a few questions.

We have small kids and I have requested the Lagoon tower which I believe was recently refurbished. Why is the ocean tower considered an upgrade, is it just because the Gold lounge is now there? As newly minted Gold (thank you FT), if we do stay in the Lagoon tower am I correct in thinking we would get the cont bfast but would have to go to the lounge in the Ocean tower to get it? About how long would that take? I saw one passing reference to a HH lounge in the Lagoon tower, has anyone seen/used it recently or since the tower reopened? Does anyone know when the tower did reopen? Anything specific I should try to avoid about that tower? We are supposed to be golf view with upgrade if avail.

I spoke to the front desk and they said that they generally let families with 3 small kids 'slide' and use one room. We've got a 7yo and two 3yos, have seen the rooms would you think that would make for a miserable cramming?

I'm on the fence about bidding for priceline, afraid I might get the Hapuna Prince. We are going for the abounding entertainment from the kids perspective so the disney qualities, water slides, kids pool, protected lagoon are the draw for us this time. Any other places I should check for great rates?

thanks for any help

seajac03

The Lagoon Tower is probably best for families because the most kid-friendly pools are located there.

I think that the Gold Lounge is now in the Palace Tower, which is in between the Lagoon and Ocean towers (but closer to the Ocean Tower) along a "horseshoe" shaped walkway (covered), and can also be reached via the various paths or tram/boat. With little kids it will probably be about a 10 to 15 minute walk between the Lagoon and Palace Towers. You may be better off buying fruits, juices, and cereals and eating breakfast in your room as opposed to the limited menu in the Gold Lounge.

I think a lot of people like the Ocean Tower because there are more rooms there with ocean views, and the Diamond Lounge is there.

I have not seen the size of the rooms in the Lagoon Tower, but I don't think you will have a problem with 2 adults and 3 little ones in a room. I think the rooms are probably average size, but you will should be spending most of your time outside anyway.

seajac03

http://hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

flyerwife

I stayed at the HWV in July 2003 as gold in the Palace Tower. The gold lounge was located there at that time.

We also have 3 children, a bit older than yours, and our room was very sufficient. There was a sofa which, although not a pullout, was comfortable enough for one of the kids to sleep on. Also as gold, they would provide a free rollaway if requested. The rooms were a generous size, so save your $$$ and stay in one room. Bathroom size and closet size were large, and there was a balcony, so we didn't find the room to be tight at all.

Do make a trip to the local WalMart, as suggested in so many other HWV threads, and pick up sodas, water, snacks, cereal, etc. We spent about $40 and had more than enough goodies to keep everyone happy for the full 7 days. If you need souvenirs or macadamia chocolates, the prices here are great for those as well. Might want to also buy (or bring from home) any snorkel or beach equipment that the kids may want.

Your kids will LOVE it here! Have a ball!

djhouk

We stayed in the Lagoon Tower last year with our two boys (age 5 & 7). Rooms are average to slightly above average in size. It was quite comfortable for the 4 of us. At the time, the concierge breakfast was in the Ocean Tower, and the kids really looked forward to the walk/tram/boats to get there each morning. The Lagoon Tower is definitely the place to stay with kids, as it is closest to the kid's pool, the lagoon, the dolphins, and the pool with the largest slide. It's also the tower closest to the lobby -- important if you plan to leave the resort frequently during your stay.

needathrill

Was at HWV two weeks ago as gold member Palace tower.In the Ocean tower there's a Diamond member only lounge on the 6th floor.The Palace Tower has a 7th floor lounge for gold members.I have seen others claim a gold member lounge in the Ocean tower on 4th floor & somewhere in the Lagoon tower but can't confirm.If you are required to use the Palace lounge your family will probably find it kind of akward eating breakfast there since they only have a couple small tables.Otherwise you sat on sofa or large chairs with coffee or end tables.

Eugene

No lounge in the Lagoon Tower, not now, not in the past. At the time when HWV gave Golds and Diamonds breakfast coupons (they discontinued doing this last year), those coupons were valid for two restaurants: Palm Terrace near the Ocean Tower (excellent buffet), and Orchid Cafe near the Lagoon Tower (no buffet, but coupons could have been applied towards your a la carte selection, up to $17.50 or so per person). While Palm Terrace buffet was a much better value, IMHO, Orchid Cafe was nice for kids because of their Mickey Mouse pancakes and free crayons/coloring sets.

ac/elite

I can confirm that there is a gold member lounge on the 4th floor of the Ocean Tower, or at least there was when I was there Jan 21-27th.

I ate there twice before complaining and receiving breakfast certificates which I used in the Palm Terrace buffet for the remainder of the stay.

cjd

ac/elite,
Why did you complain about the Gold lounge - was it a really poor choice of food or just very small lounge? Will be at the HWV in just over a week's time and was expecting breakfast vouchers for continental breakfast, but after reading threads, I now have my doubts.

------------------
Chris

ac/elite

The lounge was fine, but I preferred to eat in the restaurant. The gold lounge offered a few different pastries and mini-muffins, some melons and papaya, cereals, juice and coffee and tea. I walked up two floors to the Executive Lounge which has tables outside the lounge itself as I guess it is too small to accomodate all invited guests. I noticed that people had a greater variety of food than gold's were offered, including bagels, yoghurts etc.

If you read the gold benefits, which you can print off the HHonors site, you'll see that the hotel is not entitled to offer a sub-par lounge for golds. That is not an option open to it. A hotel must offer Executive Lounge access or, alternatively, breakfast coupons. This hotel tries to create a third option. When I politely but firmly pointed that out to the front desk, I was offered a choice of Executive Lounge access or breakfast coupons for the remainder of my stay. It was noted to me that I could not have both, and if I chose the coupons I couldn't go into the lounge for the evening snacks, which I thought was fair. I chose the coupons.

EWR-COflyer

I just got back from my stay... I didn't get a chance to try it out, but the new "Malolo Lounge" adjacent to the lobby mentions WiFi access in their formal write-up. I don't know if it is free tho'...

PS I got upgraded to a suite w/ an Ethernet connection, but it was NOT complimentary! ($10.36/day)

Pakse

Howdy,

HWV is the best. I arrived. 1 minute later realized I was not getting a reasonable signal from my ethernet jack (i.e. it wasn't working).

I called up the operator and said, "My internet doesn't work".

She said, "I'll take care of it Mr. Pakse".

In less than 10 minutes an engineer showed up in my room; added repeater to my jack - and I've been flying ever since.

I love this place. The staff are incredible.

Oh yeah - high speed internet is free.

Keep the faith,

Pakse

Oh yeah - the operator called me back to follow up that everything was fixed.

No staff - anywhere is as good as these folks.

Edited to add this stuff.

[This message has been edited by Pakse (edited Feb 13, 2004).]

readyalready

Here is the question of the day (cause when it is 5 degrees out this is what I think of)

I have a king lanai golf view reserved with upgrade if avail plus 10k bonus points.

My other room options are 1) a basic Hilton room for $10 less per night, could get a $50 credit with the 50 dates promotion, or 2) a basic Hilton room with full Palm Ter breakfast for two for $20 more than I am paying per night (or 30 more than basic room).

My husband and oldest son LOVE big breakfast buffets. I am thinking that I should get the least expensive room category since we should get upgraded anyway as Gold. I am also thinking to add the breakfast option for them, I'd be happy with cereal and fruit from the lounge. I think I remember that the price for the buffet is 22.50, does anyone know the children's price?

I know I am thinking about this way to hard, but appreciate any more advice.

r

outoftown

I am sitting in a room in the Palace Tower of HWV as I type this, logged in on a 1-800 number which charges 10 cents a minute after 60 minutes. The highspeed internet access in my room is through lodgenet. I hope as a Diamond to get upgraded to an Ocean tower room tomorrow. Maybe there will be a ethernet port then. At HWV the business center near the lobby offers high speed access on a bank of about 5 computers, starting a $5 for the first 10 minutes. All were taken a few hours ago...mostly kids emailing or IM their friends back home. Outside the hotel, WiFi is available at the Royal Kona Resort at www.epitopia.com. Zac's in the North Kona Shopping Center has full internet access. Both these places are business centers, so I'm sure there is no free lunch for internet access.

[This message has been edited by outoftown (edited Feb 16, 2004).]