RCI Advice Wanted: Hawaii on Points?

[Pooh's Pixie]

Thanks for the info and the pictures. We are actually booked through the hotel registrations, not through timeshare...I guess I don't actually know which tower we are in...I wonder how I could find out. Are there different amenities?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I was looking at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village - The Lagoon Tower because I think Mom said they wanted to stay in that vicinity for a week and then move over to one of the other islands. (I am really not familiar with the geography of Hawaii. Mom and Dad lived there before I was born, unfortunately.)

Does anyone have any thoughts? My mother is fastidious and does like a quiet room. It looked like the HGV was right in the middle of EVERYTHING. On the other hand, she said that they were looking to stay in town when they were near Waikiki because they "get bored" easily.

All thoughts will be appreciated.

Julie

Hilton Hawaiian Village is definately one of the nicest resorts on Oahu. While it is located close to everything, the resort itself is so large that it is still quiet. The setting is wonderful!

A tip for your parents:
When we went there, my DH slipped the check-in guy a tip and asked if there were any rooms available in the Rainbow tower? (We had booked the cheapest tower.) The guy said for $40 he'd get us an ocean view in the Rainbow tower. Wow! He gave us an incredible view! It was the second to last room (closest to ocean) on a high floor with an amazing lanai and view of waikiki beach and Diamond Head! You could also see the pool area if you looked off to the side. The room also had a bar area with a small refrigerator. That room would have cost us at least an extra $100/night had we booked it--and we were there 5 nights. And he gave it to us for $40 flat (of course he pocketed the money, but we don't care--what a deal!)

 

[phyllisnnj]

Thanks for the info and the pictures. We are actually booked through the hotel registrations, not through timeshare...I guess I don't actually know which tower we are in...I wonder how I could find out. Are there different amenities?

It should state it on the Hilton confirmation. If not, you can call the Hilton Reservation desk and ask if you have another preference.
You can also try going through the reservation process on hilton.com and when you get to the page with the room types and the prices, click on the room type that matches yours and read the description it should state the tower.
(NOTE: If the room category doesn't state ocean view or ocean front, then you probably have a standard view.)

There are three towers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village that have timeshare units - Lagoon Tower, Kalia Tower and Grand Waikikian Tower
See Resort Map - http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/popup/print_map.cfm
Pictures of the towers (refer to Resort Map above)
Photo #1 - http://www.hiltonfamilyhawaii.com/assets/0/64/10caa6be-f48e-4289-8c0c-944be7bfda2e.jpg
Photo #2 - http://www.tombrower.com/images/residents_23.jpg

Here's a link to photos at the hilton.com website - http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot...an-Village--Hawaii/photoGallery.do?category=0 (NOTE: Photos #7 and #8 are mislabeled and should say Kalia Tower)

The Lagoon Tower is the closest to the ocean however it is perpendicular to the ocean therefore only one end directly faces the ocean. All of these rooms are two bedroom oceanfront views (except the top floor penthouse units which are two story three bedroom oceanfront)
The other two sides of the Lagoon Tower (facing either the Rainbow Tower or Ilikai hotel) have ocean view or standard/garden view . The Lagoon Tower rooms available in a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom (NOTE: They have both dedicated and lockout villas)

The Kalia Tower sits the furthest away from the ocean and is parallel to the ocean. Only six floor of this hotel tower has timeshare units (floors 12- 18). NOTE: There is no 13th floor. The rooms facing the ocean are considered ocean views and the rooms on the backside are considered mountain/city view. The Kalia Tower only has studios and one bedroom units
View from Kalia Tower ocean view room - http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/14/92/7d/view-of-balcony-note.jpg
Here's a link to the Kalia Tower one bedroom - http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/kalia-timeshare-villas.php (click on the RESORT AREA button for various views)

The newest tower Grand Waikikian Tower sits further back from the ocean (behind the Lagoon Tower) and is also perpendicular to the ocean. It has one, two and three bedrooms units.
Here's a link to HGVC's Grand Waikikian website - http://www.grandwaikikian.com/001_about_GW_E_V.php

SUMMARY
Lagoon Tower - Average (but very nice) Room Decor (converted apartment bldg; large rooms with largest lanai; long elevator wait times during peak periods)
Kalia Tower - Upscale Room Decor (converted hotel rooms; hardwood floors, granite counters, fancier furniture; great ocean views)
Grand Waikikian Tower - Luxury Room Decor (newly built; just opened in December 2008)
The amenities in Lagoon Tower and Kalia Tower are basically the same. NOTE: They both have the combined tub/shower (no separate shower or whirlpool tub). There are no washer and dryer in the units however there is a laundry room on every floor with a washer and dryer
The Grand Waikikian tower has a washer and dryer in every unit and a separate large soaking tub and shower; the best room furnishings

Have a wonderful time

** UPDATE **
You can find the entire list of amenities at the hilton.com website (see links below)

For Lagoon and Kalia Towers use
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot...on-Hawaiian-Village--Hawaii/accommodations.do
Select the Room Types and scroll down to see the list of amenities

For Grand Waikikian Tower use
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot...Grand-Vacations-Club-Hawaii/accommodations.do
Select the Room Types and scroll down to see the list of amenities

 

[JulieWent]

I wanted to drop back in to tell EVERYONE who posted here with tips THANKS! I just checked in on my points, and guess what?!! I got what I wanted for my parents -- for their 50th anniversary! They were married in Hawaii in February 50 years ago -- the year Hawaii became a state. So now, they're getting to go back to where they were married, celebrate, and celebrate statehood with Hawaii! It's so nice to be able to help them out, and I'm pretty sure we couldn't have done it without your help. Once again, thanks so much. I didn't think we'd get this exchange.

Julie

 

[ACDSNY]

Now that's spreading the magic! I'm sure your parents will enjoy it. Congrats on our HI trade!

 

[Dean]

I wanted to drop back in to tell EVERYONE who posted here with tips THANKS! I just checked in on my points, and guess what?!! I got what I wanted for my parents -- for their 50th anniversary! They were married in Hawaii in February 50 years ago -- the year Hawaii became a state. So now, they're getting to go back to where they were married, celebrate, and celebrate statehood with Hawaii! It's so nice to be able to help them out, and I'm pretty sure we couldn't have done it without your help. Once again, thanks so much. I didn't think we'd get this exchange.

Julie

Congratulations, I know they'll have a great time. Goes to show you can only be successful if you try and that planning and info improve your chances further.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Thanks for the update and Congratulations