Jan 26, 2014, 12:41 pm
Last edit by: Canarsie
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[ARCHIVE to 2015] Hilton Waikoloa Village {US-HI}
Jan 13, 2009, 2:03 pm
#3256
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: near Sacramento, CA
Programs: UA No staus, HHonors Gold, SPG none, Hyatt-none
Posts: 151
it looks like Ed did reply, he posted his response to a another thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...l#post10913977
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...l#post10913977
I concur with other recent posts that the property remains in excellent shape. Despite whatever cutbacks may be necessary in other areas to stay viable, they continue to maintain the property to high standards.
They also have rennovated a number of their suites. The one I had was exceptional - every bit the equal to the executive suite I had earlier this month at the Conrad Chicago. You can tell these updated rooms by the dark rattan furniture on the lanai.
They also have rennovated a number of their suites. The one I had was exceptional - every bit the equal to the executive suite I had earlier this month at the Conrad Chicago. You can tell these updated rooms by the dark rattan furniture on the lanai.
Jan 13, 2009, 4:59 pm
#3257
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: HH Diamond, WN CP & A-List P
Posts: 195
it looks like Ed did reply, he posted his response to a another thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...l#post10913977
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...l#post10913977
A lot of us flyertalkers were more interested in Ed's statement regarding his conversation with the GM than his accommodations for that particular trip. Again, reading that post, Ed started a new thread specifically to not have the information "buried" in HWV thread you've referenced.
Jan 13, 2009, 7:38 pm
#3258
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Plano, Texas, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Hilton Gold, Lindy Award Winner (2013)
Posts: 503
Originally Posted by Ed ONeill
I concur with other recent posts that the property remains in excellent shape. Despite whatever cutbacks may be necessary in other areas to stay viable, they continue to maintain the property to high standards.
They also have rennovated a number of their suites. The one I had was exceptional - every bit the equal to the executive suite I had earlier this month at the Conrad Chicago. You can tell these updated rooms by the dark rattan furniture on the lanai.
I concur with other recent posts that the property remains in excellent shape. Despite whatever cutbacks may be necessary in other areas to stay viable, they continue to maintain the property to high standards.
They also have rennovated a number of their suites. The one I had was exceptional - every bit the equal to the executive suite I had earlier this month at the Conrad Chicago. You can tell these updated rooms by the dark rattan furniture on the lanai.
It was a nice investment for the manager...
Jan 13, 2009, 8:43 pm
#3259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Florida, the crazy folks state.
Programs: Marriott Titanium Marriott Platinum for life.
Posts: 16,974
Good catch.
Jan 13, 2009, 9:08 pm
#3260
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,035
Jan 16, 2009, 6:40 am
#3261
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
There are many Hilton hotels outside of the US that far exceed the official stated benefits - IMHO. By doing so they generate a lot of good will and loyalty among HHonors members.
Also, while a full breakfast buffet might not be a stated benefit and isn't something to criticize the hotel for (for not providing to elite members)...it may be something that entices an HHonors member who is on the fence to stay there, over another hotel. I will oftentimes go out of my way to stay at a nice Hilton in Asia if I think that I'm getting extra benefit from staying there - like at the Conrad Hong Kong - because they treat their guests so well. If I knew I wasn't getting any additional benefit for staying at a Hilton, I might go on Expedia and see if I could get a better deal by just paying for a room somewhere else.
Also, while a full breakfast buffet might not be a stated benefit and isn't something to criticize the hotel for (for not providing to elite members)...it may be something that entices an HHonors member who is on the fence to stay there, over another hotel. I will oftentimes go out of my way to stay at a nice Hilton in Asia if I think that I'm getting extra benefit from staying there - like at the Conrad Hong Kong - because they treat their guests so well. If I knew I wasn't getting any additional benefit for staying at a Hilton, I might go on Expedia and see if I could get a better deal by just paying for a room somewhere else.
I just don't understand the uproar over people missing out on the "breakfast." HHonors doesn't owe you a hot, four-course breakfast [snip]
If you're going to Hawaii and your vacation will be totally ruined by not having a few pieces of watermelon and a mini-muffin available to you each morning, I strong suggest you not go to Hawaii.
If you're going to Hawaii and your vacation will be totally ruined by not having a few pieces of watermelon and a mini-muffin available to you each morning, I strong suggest you not go to Hawaii.
Jan 20, 2009, 4:46 pm
#3262
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San Diego, CA. US
Programs: UA 1p HH gold
Posts: 258
When I look at the fall 2009 prices at HWV, I see you can get it for around $170 including 2 free breakfast buffet. Seems pretty good price to me and also you don't have to worry about the breakfast benefits any more.
WJ
WJ
Jan 21, 2009, 2:30 pm
#3263
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA MP 1K Million Miler, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 646
just finished a 4 night stay
booked the lowest priced room available - garden view.
When I checked in had been upgraded to an ocean view King in the Ocean Tower.
Nice sized room with a nice view.
The tram was running but we walked nonetheless.
The tram was out of service the rest of our stay. Had one staff member say that they were repairing the tram and were actually going to do some replacement. I did see persons working on the tram so believe that the staff member was correct. Boats were running.
We were given coupons for the continental breakfast in the Palm Terrace. I actually thought the continental spread was very extensive. A wide-variety of fresh fruit, lots of breakfast pastries, plus cereal (hot oatmeal also) yogurt, salmon, capers, a variety of cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. Juices and coffee. We had plenty to eat and I did not feel it was a come-down. I do remember the executive lounge spread and this was similar (actually may be more extensive).
They are apparently charging for parking, however the entire time I was there, the exit gate was broken (had been for some time I was told) so you just drive through without having to operate it with the room key which is the only way they would have to track use.
I have stayed here a number of times in the past, and it did appear that there were fewer people here than I remember. I am sure that occupancy is down. There were two conferences that overlapped my stay, so that helped occupancy. Plus there was some shooting of a VH1 reality show about dating that was being shot on premises (isn't reality TV an oxymoron?). I assume cast and crew were staying on premises, so all of that helped revenue.
By and large the stay was similar to that I have experienced in the past. I did not sense service being down and the property appears in similar shape to the last time I was here 2 or 3 years ago.
I did notice that the bar was very empty each time we went in for a nightcap. Did not eat at any of the on-site restaurants (other than breakfast in the Palm), as I have never been much impressed with them anyway. The Italian restaurant was closed the entire time were were there. Not sure about Kamuela Provision as we never got over there, but the only places open between the lobby and Ocean Tower were Kirin, the Chinese place and Imari, the Japanese place. Boat landing pavilion was also open.
I also noticed that returning later at night there was plenty of parking in the lot. In the past that has not always been the case. I can remember really having to ferret out a spot because the lot had been so full. No more.
New addition to the area since I was last here, is the Queens Market, accross from the old Kings Market. A wonderful grocery (offshoot of the ABC stores) that has a deli, good selection of wines and beer and groceries. We had some take out sushi which was quite good. I noticed many people walking to their rooms at the Hilton with grocery bags from there. People clearly loading up for snacks or more in their rooms.
There are also a couple of new restaurants there. We ate at one, Sansei, which was quite good. Hostess told us that they do an early-bird special on Sundays and Mondays, and people line up for it. We did not take advantage as that is not our style.
When I checked in had been upgraded to an ocean view King in the Ocean Tower.
Nice sized room with a nice view.
The tram was running but we walked nonetheless.
The tram was out of service the rest of our stay. Had one staff member say that they were repairing the tram and were actually going to do some replacement. I did see persons working on the tram so believe that the staff member was correct. Boats were running.
We were given coupons for the continental breakfast in the Palm Terrace. I actually thought the continental spread was very extensive. A wide-variety of fresh fruit, lots of breakfast pastries, plus cereal (hot oatmeal also) yogurt, salmon, capers, a variety of cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. Juices and coffee. We had plenty to eat and I did not feel it was a come-down. I do remember the executive lounge spread and this was similar (actually may be more extensive).
They are apparently charging for parking, however the entire time I was there, the exit gate was broken (had been for some time I was told) so you just drive through without having to operate it with the room key which is the only way they would have to track use.
I have stayed here a number of times in the past, and it did appear that there were fewer people here than I remember. I am sure that occupancy is down. There were two conferences that overlapped my stay, so that helped occupancy. Plus there was some shooting of a VH1 reality show about dating that was being shot on premises (isn't reality TV an oxymoron?). I assume cast and crew were staying on premises, so all of that helped revenue.
By and large the stay was similar to that I have experienced in the past. I did not sense service being down and the property appears in similar shape to the last time I was here 2 or 3 years ago.
I did notice that the bar was very empty each time we went in for a nightcap. Did not eat at any of the on-site restaurants (other than breakfast in the Palm), as I have never been much impressed with them anyway. The Italian restaurant was closed the entire time were were there. Not sure about Kamuela Provision as we never got over there, but the only places open between the lobby and Ocean Tower were Kirin, the Chinese place and Imari, the Japanese place. Boat landing pavilion was also open.
I also noticed that returning later at night there was plenty of parking in the lot. In the past that has not always been the case. I can remember really having to ferret out a spot because the lot had been so full. No more.
New addition to the area since I was last here, is the Queens Market, accross from the old Kings Market. A wonderful grocery (offshoot of the ABC stores) that has a deli, good selection of wines and beer and groceries. We had some take out sushi which was quite good. I noticed many people walking to their rooms at the Hilton with grocery bags from there. People clearly loading up for snacks or more in their rooms.
There are also a couple of new restaurants there. We ate at one, Sansei, which was quite good. Hostess told us that they do an early-bird special on Sundays and Mondays, and people line up for it. We did not take advantage as that is not our style.
Jan 21, 2009, 2:50 pm
#3264
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MSP (Mahtomedi, MN, USA) - Delta hub captive, Marriott Gold, US Mint Silver, CVS Red
Programs: "We've been starving, and sitting on a ham sandwich the whole time."
Posts: 1,482
denis in denver - thank you very much for the nice review. I wish I could spare the time away right now, sounds like a great experience.
was there any problem with this "vog" volcanic smog situation?
was there any problem with this "vog" volcanic smog situation?
Jan 21, 2009, 6:01 pm
#3265
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Programs: Lifetime Plat Marriott
Posts: 1,358
Wow....
Great information....man, I guess their occupancy rate must be down. I don't think I've seen a rate that low.
Dawn
Jan 21, 2009, 6:22 pm
#3266
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westchester Cty, NY
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 125
Two years ago the government rate was $150, last year it was up to $180/night. Since the closure of the executive lounge and the reports of vog we have decided to try Kauai instead of the big Island this year.
Jan 22, 2009, 5:08 am
#3267
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA MP 1K Million Miler, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 646
Jan 22, 2009, 10:32 am
#3268
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: Hilton HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 64
When I look at the fall 2009 prices at HWV, I see you can get it for around $170 including 2 free breakfast buffet. Seems pretty good price to me and also you don't have to worry about the breakfast benefits any more.
Found a rate like this in early May of $174.30 including breakfast buffet for two. Required a deposit of 30% and a 90 day advance booking. Since the normal pay in full advance purchase rate for the same dates was $186 with no breakfast this seemed to be a real no brainer type bargain. Did a bit of searching since this rate was not available for some dates in May.
WJ
Found a rate like this in early May of $174.30 including breakfast buffet for two. Required a deposit of 30% and a 90 day advance booking. Since the normal pay in full advance purchase rate for the same dates was $186 with no breakfast this seemed to be a real no brainer type bargain. Did a bit of searching since this rate was not available for some dates in May.
WJ
Jan 22, 2009, 12:52 pm
#3269
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern England
Posts: 1,531
Also same rate in July 09, 174usd inc 2 breakfasts. 30% deposit
Feb 12, 2009, 2:23 pm
#3270
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Delta Gold, HH Lifetime Diamond, Hyatt Plat, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 55
Just wanted to bump this thread back to the the top as I have just returned from a week at the HWV.
I was upgraded to a suite in the Ocean Tower which was very satisfactory. They are providing free continental breakfast coupons for gold and diamond members which I wasn't impressed with at first but the spread in the Palm Terrace won me over as it was easy to find different food to try each day, all of which was excellent. The service at the Terrace was either excellent or terrible, depending on your server that day. Employee morale seemed low throughout the hotel which was undoubtedly due to the recent cutbacks at the hotel. The parking gates appeared to be fixed however I was not charged for parking by using my room key to get in and out of the lot. $15 a day for self park and $21 for valet. I never had trouble finding a spot but if you get in late it can be a long walk. Both the tram and the boats were running during my stay.
I didn't eat at the hotel restaurants (aside from the pizza place in the Lagoon tower, very reasonable Btw) but the prices didn't seem too outrageous from what I saw from a brief perusal of some of their menus. The convenience stores throughout the hotel had good selection but the prices were very high. I bought two six packs of beer the first night, total $49. Needless to say I bought the rest of my room alcohol from the gourmet market up the street (take the shuttle from the lower lobby, $1 each way).
I also did the hotel Luau and would highly recommend it. The show wasn't the best that I have seen but the food was excellent. Also I would recommend the Ali'i seating (an extra $26) as that covers all your drinks and you get great seats and are waited on. Also the sunset cruise through Ocean Sports at the hotel is a great way to spend an afternoon (free drinks! and the food wasn't bad either).
All in all while the employee service wasn't up to what I would consider Diamond standards the many amenities offered by the hotel definitely help to make up for it. Along the original lines of this thread I would like to see more benefits offered to Diamond members as they seemed to be the same for Gold or Diamond. They need to reopen the concierge lounge and perhaps do some employee customer service training. Overall I am left with a generally positive impression of the hotel but not an overwhelmingly one
I was upgraded to a suite in the Ocean Tower which was very satisfactory. They are providing free continental breakfast coupons for gold and diamond members which I wasn't impressed with at first but the spread in the Palm Terrace won me over as it was easy to find different food to try each day, all of which was excellent. The service at the Terrace was either excellent or terrible, depending on your server that day. Employee morale seemed low throughout the hotel which was undoubtedly due to the recent cutbacks at the hotel. The parking gates appeared to be fixed however I was not charged for parking by using my room key to get in and out of the lot. $15 a day for self park and $21 for valet. I never had trouble finding a spot but if you get in late it can be a long walk. Both the tram and the boats were running during my stay.
I didn't eat at the hotel restaurants (aside from the pizza place in the Lagoon tower, very reasonable Btw) but the prices didn't seem too outrageous from what I saw from a brief perusal of some of their menus. The convenience stores throughout the hotel had good selection but the prices were very high. I bought two six packs of beer the first night, total $49. Needless to say I bought the rest of my room alcohol from the gourmet market up the street (take the shuttle from the lower lobby, $1 each way).
I also did the hotel Luau and would highly recommend it. The show wasn't the best that I have seen but the food was excellent. Also I would recommend the Ali'i seating (an extra $26) as that covers all your drinks and you get great seats and are waited on. Also the sunset cruise through Ocean Sports at the hotel is a great way to spend an afternoon (free drinks! and the food wasn't bad either).
All in all while the employee service wasn't up to what I would consider Diamond standards the many amenities offered by the hotel definitely help to make up for it. Along the original lines of this thread I would like to see more benefits offered to Diamond members as they seemed to be the same for Gold or Diamond. They need to reopen the concierge lounge and perhaps do some employee customer service training. Overall I am left with a generally positive impression of the hotel but not an overwhelmingly one