Hawaii Vacation Specialist-Chris

The update I promised from the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu is here!

I have recently stayed at the hilton hawaiian village on Oahu for 5 nights again.  I tried to get this blog straight from the hilton but was having technical difficulties while trying to write it.

I have stayed in the Tapa tower once again.  Another pretty nice experience with some slight interruptions.  They are doing renovations in the tapa tower right now which I knew they were doing a rejuvination project just didn’t anticipate out of all those rooms I would be directly beneath it.  They did try to do it during daytime hours that they figure their guests would most likely be out of their rooms from about 930 or 10am til about 3 or 4pm.  For myself I was in the room during those hours for the most part and it was quite loud as it did sound like it was right above me, but as I am a pretty easygoing person I know they have to get these things done and I figured better me than someone on their vacation.  The rooms though were once again nice.  The balcony was a little more spacious this time than the last although the last time it really wasn’t all that small.  The rooms are spacious and could easily accomodate 2 adults and 2 children.  They did have a minibar in the room which is locked which they provide a key for, but also have a mini refrigerator in the room for you to store your own food and drinks in which is quite convenient.  I had a cityview room facing benihana’s japanese restaurant, but from my balcony I could catch a view of the lagoon on their property.  I  had asked about the renovations and they had started from the top down.  They were on floors 6,7, and 8 so they are real close to being done.  I imagine that some of my room problems I was having will no longer be there shortly when they are done with their renovations.

This resort is filled with restaurants, mostly japanese style between the lagoon and kalia tower.  We did try a little noodle shop there and it was actually quite good and not too expensive.  They did have other things besides noodles, like rice and teriyaki chicken or curry.  The only beer they have on tap is kirin (japanese beer), which was actually my first time trying it and it is actually very good.  We had also ordered room service a few times.  My son wanted round table pizza which they can deliver, but would be  cheaper to just go downstairs and get it from the restuarant itself.  Of course there is Lapperts ice cream which is also another favorite of my sons.  They are a little pricey, but the ice cream is great.  The kids room service for breakfast is not too badly priced, but always remember that they do add 15% plus a 2.50 delivery charge to whatever you order for room serivce.  Parking is $19.00 a day for valet and $16.00 a day to self park.  If you do valet and then decide to not use valet or happen to have a car for just part of your trip, be sure to let them know when you stop using the service as they just automatically post it as valet parking for your entire stay unless you tell them otherwise.  I had a better experience this time with the valet service, they were a lot quicker than the last, but as I see it now they seemed to be a lot busier the last time we stayed there.  There also seemed to be a big change in the type of guests staying there in the 3 times I have stayed there.  Now that school is back in I seem to find that there are a lot of couples staying at this hotel where as the last time we had stayed there were more families with children staying here.  I must say it was really neat to see the big change in the type of guests staying at this resort from different times of the year.

The staff was always great , check in was quick and easy, the maids were very friendly, room service always quick and courteous.  Check out was done over the phone.  They leave your bill the morning of departure and there are directions for quick check out on there.  You simply call the number they provide, leave your name and room number on a message machine and if you would like they can email you, your final bill if you just leave them your email address.  Simply leave the keys in the room and you are free to go.  We went again to the free show on friday night that they hold every friday night and as usual it was great and crowded.  the fireworks are wonderful and the kids really enjoy it.   You can catch it from the pool area or go out to the beach and get an even closer view of it. 

Internet access here is $12.95 a day, but if staying a week or longer you get a lower price if purchasing a bunch of days all at once.  Again the beds were absolutely wonderful.  I have stayed at the westin with their heavenly beds, but I must admit I enjoy the hilton’s beds far more, that is if you like soft fluffy beds.

All in all I really did enjoy my last stay at the hilton.  The resort itself is a pretty busy property being that is so huge and is filled with restaurants and shops, but is located in a quieter area of waikiki which is nice.  The only complaints I had were that my bathroom light went on and off when it felt like it and the noise issues because of the renovation which just cannot be helped.  I would recommend this resort to families and couples alike!