Help with Hawaii

[draybook]

I'm trying to plan a trip for September 2011 for my family to go to Hawaii. It will be our 10 year wedding anniversray so I want to make it special. I'm definitely wanting an ocean view room at Waikiki Beach. I'm hoping someone here can lead me to the right path on a good hotel. I'd also like to be within walking distance or bus ride to nearby attractions, such as the zoo and walking trails and stuff like that. Any advice would be awesome and thanks in advance!

 

[rparmfamily]

When we stay in Waikiki, we usually stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It is right on the ocean, has it's own beach area that is clean and semi-private (most of Waikiki is very busy and packed.) Even has it's own pool recreation area and lagoon.

I think the Bus is rated #1 in the country, our public transportation ROCKS. The Bus goes nearly everywhere on island easily and efficiently. The zoo is pretty good, small and cute LOL. It's in Waikiki at the other end from the Hilton, though you can pretty much walk everywherein Waikiki.

 

[draybook]

Ok great. I was looking at that hotel on Orbitz and Travelocity but I was wondering how the ocean view rooms are? I'm just looking at getting a double bed ocean view room.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We've stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki also. LOVED it!! The beach was fantastic and never crowded. We stayed in the Rainbow tower, had a fantastic view straight out onto the ocean. We also went on our 10th anniversary! It's a great island, lots of great stuff to do and see. We rented a jeep, so I can't comment on the bus. We did walk all over Waikiki as well.

 

[rparmfamily]

We prefer the Rainbow tower too, facing Diamond Head. Gorgeous! We stayed for Mother's Day a few years ago, view from our room!

and

 

[claudia]

another vote for Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Rainbow Tower...have stayed several times there and love it!!

 

[shortbun]

"Oceanview" often does not have a real view of the ocean. If you want oceanfront or a real view, you need to talk directly to the hotel rather than using some online reservation site. Hawaii is infamous for calling things 'oceanview' when the rooms only have a view if you lean out the window with someone holding your ankles, lol! If you want a good view, talk to the hotel.

Are you ONLY going to Waikiki? I think there are other spots on Oahu with better hotels and views.

 

[draybook]

I'm open to anything as long as there's an ocean view involved and the beach is very close.

 

[mlholster]

I just got back from Ohau and we had a split stay. I agree the Hilton Village is very nice. We stayed in the Rainbow Tower and had a corner view, Diamond Head and the ocean. It was just beautiful.
The other part of our stay was ocean view at the Halekulani. Basically same view as the Hilton. This hotel is very beautiful but it has a very small beach area. We attended a wedding there.
The Hilton had more options as far as beach activities.That whole area is awesome you almost can't go wrong.
Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

 

[marcyinPA]

I just found out that my DS14's high school band is going back to Hawaii in December 2011. My DH and I are hoping to go too, with our DS10. We won't book through the band though, too expensive. They are estimating the cost per student at $3300!!! CRAZY!!!

We will only be on Oahu, and will stay in Waikiki. The band is playing for the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

 

[rparmfamily]

I just found out that my DS14's high school band is going back to Hawaii in December 2011. My DH and I are hoping to go too, with our DS10. We won't book through the band though, too expensive. They are estimating the cost per student at $3300!!! CRAZY!!!

We will only be on Oahu, and will stay in Waikiki. The band is playing for the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Wow! That's awesome!! We'll be there, we go every year to the Arizona for Pearl Harbor Day.

 

[marcyinPA]

Wow! That's awesome!! We'll be there, we go every year to the Arizona for Pearl Harbor Day.

The band was there for the 65th anniversary (I think it was the 65th...) If you were there, maybe you saw them! The high school is Liberty H.S. and they are patterned after the Coldstream Guards. They have a bagpipe band too... It's a very good band, although I admit that I'm biased!

 

[cristit14]

The band was there for the 65th anniversary (I think it was the 65th...) If you were there, maybe you saw them! The high school is Liberty H.S. and they are patterned after the Coldstream Guards. They have a bagpipe band too... It's a very good band, although I admit that I'm biased!

As a former band geek, that is way cool!!!!

 

[Pidginb]

The Hawaii Prince Hotel is a pretty good hotel. All rooms are ocean view looking over a small harbor (beautiful sunsets). The rates are pretty decent. It's located at the very beginning of waikiki near Ala Moana Shopping center (biggest mall on Oahu). They also have a free shuttle that runs every 20mins or so stopping at 3 major points in Waikiki. The beach is a bit of a walk but the shuttle drops u off right on Waikiki beach.

 

[thinkerbell]

Another vote for the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We also stayed in the Rainbow Tower and the view was awesome. Our view was just like the one posted earlier. We walked up to Waikiki and shopped around and walked on the beach there. The resort also has a place where you can make arrangements for tours. We took a tour that included the Dole Plantation, North Shore--where we ate at a shrimp truck, Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Hanauma Bay, and several other places. We also took a trolley that took us around different places in Honolulu that included going to Diamond Head. There was also a submarine that is based at the pier at HHV. We went out on that and it was pretty neat. It would be especially neat to children. You definitely can't go wrong with Hilton Hawaiian Village. Wishing I was back there now.

 

[amyy]

After reading these posts I am thinking we need to go to the Hilton Hawaiian Village as a lot of you recommend it. I have promised my family after our next 2 Disney trips we will go to a new place. We could probably only go during the summer because of my job. Is this an ok time to go? I wonder what months have the cheapest air fare?