Went with Hilton Hawaiin Village

[lovetotraveltx]

Any tips on tower locations? Walking to shops and restaurants from there.

What to see while here for 2 nights versus from Aulani.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Sorry - I can't answer your question, but we're also planning on a few days in Waikiki/Honolulu before transferring to Aulan - sometime within the next year. Want to get the "touristy" things out of the way first, then relax for the remainder of the trip once we check into Aulani.
May I ask why you chose the HHV?
There are just so many decisions!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We want to use points. Preferred Hilton or Marriott. My first choice was the Waikiki Marriott as everyone raves about their location. We have older kids so I wanted them to be able to walk to bars/restaurants. But, it has not gotten great reviews of late on another travel site.

I've been to Hilton Hawaiian Village. It's a huge, well-manicured resort with tons to do. Close to restaurants, shopping... It's more resort then we need since we're going to Aulani, but I had the points so I just made the decision to go for it!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks!
Have a great time!!!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Thanks! Can't wait! Now I hope we get a reservation at Aulani

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Anybody do hhv and have tower suggestions?

 

[disneybirds]

We booked on points last year in the standard room for the points. We were upgraded to the Rainbow Tower ocean view, but we only stayed one night. The Rainbow Tower was nice, but the room seemed small. We had an awesome view of Diamond Head!

 

[downontheBW]

We stayed in a studio in the Rainbow Tower a few years back and had a partial view of Diamond Head. The studios don't have a balcony so I really missed that. We didn't visit other towers but, from looking at an aerial view, it seems that most rooms in the towers away from the ocean wouldn't have much of a view. My main complaint was the lack of pool lounges - by 9am, all had been "reserved" with towels. Only one day did we get one.

Its a bit of a walk to the middle of Waikiki beach because you have to walk past Fort Derussey Park. We liked to eat at Dukes. My preference would be to stay in one of the center resorts (Outriggers, Westin, Aston) to be closer to the action but when timeshare points are available, we'll choose the trades every time.

 

[catigger]

We stayed in the Rainbow tower this past April. An ocean front view with diamond head in the background. It was magnificient. We had a cash room.

We walked to the following restaurants for dinner. We made our reservations to coincide with the sunset. I believe we used open table for most.

Hula Grill - very good
Dukes - very good
Tropics bar and grill - our least favorite
Ocean house in the outrigger reef hotel - excellent.
Chart house a quick five minute drive - not as good as I remember
cheeseburger in paradise - a bit of a walk but well worth it.
Benihana - on site, good and fun.

For breakfast we walked to eggs in things. We had a bit of a wait. It is a popular place.

Ahhh I wish I was there now. It was a great trip and we loved the location of HHV. Our group was age 11 to 80. It offered something for all of us.

 

[DenLo]

We stayed in the Kalia Tower, which a new building and it has it's own check in lobby. Considering the lines at the regular checkin we really appreciated the separate check in. The rooms was a standard hotel room. We asked for a high floor, ocean view. This is what we got.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We stayed in the Kalia Tower, which a new building and it has it's own check in lobby. Considering the lines at the regular checkin we really appreciated the separate check in. The rooms was a standard hotel room. We asked for a high floor, ocean view. This is what we got.

Loved your view! Was Kalia in a good location? What was it near to walk to?

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We stayed in the Rainbow tower this past April. An ocean front view with diamond head in the background. It was magnificient. We had a cash room.

We walked to the following restaurants for dinner. We made our reservations to coincide with the sunset. I believe we used open table for most.

Hula Grill - very good
Dukes - very good
Tropics bar and grill - our least favorite
Ocean house in the outrigger reef hotel - excellent.
Chart house a quick five minute drive - not as good as I remember
cheeseburger in paradise - a bit of a walk but well worth it.
Benihana - on site, good and fu

For breakfast we walked to eggs in things. We had a bit of a wait. It is a popular place.

Ahhh I wish I was there now. It was a great trip and we loved the location of HHV. Our group was age 11 to 80. It offered something for all of us.

We only have 2 nights one or both jet lagged?? So, would you do Hula Grill and Dukes? Are they both walking distance? Do they have local type food?

Thank you!

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[teambeaman]

Duke's is my favorite restaurant, so for us it's a must do. When we were there we drove to Waikiki from aulani just to eat there. Have fun!

 

[DenLo]

Loved your view! Was Kalia in a good location? What was it near to walk to?

I think Duke's is less than a mile and you can walk it. But I have never done it. I'd ask at the desk the best way to get there. BTW, we were so tired that first night after flying 8 hours that we just ate at Benihanas in the hotel. Crazy Shirt has a shop in the hotel and they feature Disney tee shirts. Here's one of our favorites:

 

[lovetotraveltx]

I think Duke's is less than a mile and you can walk it. But I have never done it. I'd ask at the desk the best way to get there. BTW, we were so tired that first night after flying 8 hours that we just ate at Benihanas in the hotel. Crazy Shirt has a shop in the hotel and they feature Disney tee shirts. Here's one of our favorites:

Love the T-shirt!

Thanks everyone

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Ok only 2 nights at HHV. If we do Dukes for the first/arrival night. Where would you go 2nd night. Something nicer but not overly fancy.

Doing Roy's across from Aulani

 

[catigger]

We really loved Ocean House. It is an open air restaurant and we watched the sun set. The food was very good and our server was very attentive. You can google the menu to see what they offer food wise. The walk was vert easy. If you follow the walkway along the ocean it was located right as the walkway turned into the sand beach. We found if you contiue to walk along the sand we were able to continue all the way to the Royal Hawaiian. Of course, we were all wearing flip flop and sandals as your feet will get sandy.

One of the other things we did was the outrigger canoe in front of the Royal Hawaiian. It was a blast.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Any tips on tower locations? Walking to shops and restaurants from there.

What to see while here for 2 nights versus from Aulani.

Thanks again for all the help!

This past summer we did a big Disneyland/Kauai/Oahu trip. We only had 4 days on Oahu so we stayed in the Waikiki Beach area at the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk timeshare. The location was awesome - so close to lots of shops and restaurants. As for tourist attractions closer to the Waikiki area:

- We hiked Diamond Head and visited Hanauma Bay
- Spent a day on Waikiki Beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian and took a catamaran sail (the big yellow one that docks at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach)
- Visited Iolani Palace
- We also spent a day at Pearl Harbor, but you can probably get there just as easily from Aulani.

We ate at: Giovanni Pastrami, Rumfire (at the Sheraton), Shorebirds (at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach), Hard Rock Cafe, a Subway (for lunch) and Nimitz Korean BBQ, a local place by the airport (so so good!).

Have a wonderful vacation!!!!!

ETA: Now you've done it...I'm sitting here in a Polar Vortex wishing I was in Hawaii!