Hotel Review: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hawaii is one of my favorite vacation spots in the world. Even though it is the 50th state, it is distinctively different from any other state in the U.S. In my opinion, sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and great Polynesian and Asian food make Hawaii a paradise. I’d been to Oahu, Big Island, and Kauai previously, and on my third trip to Hawaii, my fiancé and I stayed in Oahu for a week. We wanted to stay at a hotel close to the beach but away from large crowds of people, which can be difficult in Oahu since it is full of visitors worldwide. However, since we had a rental car, we had flexibility in location, and that’s when I found Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Hilton Hawaiian Village). It opened its doors in 1955 and was originally built on the site of the village of Kalia—the hometown of Duke Kahanamokua, a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. Now, it has become the largest resort in Hawaii and one of the biggest resorts in the world. I was curious and slightly worried about how Hilton managed this gigantic property with over 3,300 rooms sitting on 22 acres of beachfront land, and here is my review of Hilton Hawaiian Village:
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is currently offering a signup bonus of 180,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in 6 months. Be aware that since this is an American Express card, you’re only allowed to receive the signup bonus once per lifetime. With a valuation of 0.6 cents per point, the signup bonus is worth about $1,080. The annual fee is $550, but cardmembers get a free night certificate, $200 airline credit, $400 Hilton resort credit at select Hilton resorts, complimentary CLEAR membership, and Hilton Diamond status, the highest in Hilton’s member ecosystem.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card earns 14X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly with select companies, and U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn 3X per dollar spent. As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you’ll get a 100% points bonus and 10 extra points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. Therefore, the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card earns a total of 24X per dollar spent on Hilton properties when booked directly with Hilton, yielding a grand return of 14.4%. With Hilton’s frequent points promotions, you can rake in a serious amount of Hilton Honors points in no time. Even if you don’t stay at Hilton properties too often, this card is definitely worth the annual fee due to its amazing perks and benefits, and I strongly believe it’s the best hotel credit card available on the market right now. The elevated sign-up offer ends on 1/17/2024, so make sure to apply before the offer ends.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
The AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 170,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership. With a 0.6 cents per point valuation, the sign-up bonus is worth $1,020. Since the card is issued by AMEX, you can only receive the sign-up bonus once per lifetime; so make sure to apply when the highest sign-up bonus is available. The annual fee of the card is $150, but cardmembers can receive up to $200 each year for eligible purchases with Hilton. Moreover, it awards cardmembers with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you can earn a free night certificate.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card earns 12X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets. You can earn 4X per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases, and all other purchases will earn 3X per dollar spent. The 6X return rate for purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets would be great for weekly household expenses, and the card really shines when you stay at Hilton properties. The 12X return rate is slightly below the 14X return rate for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card. Nevertheless, the AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card does come with complimentary perks that will increase the return rate for Hilton stays.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Hilton Hawaiian Village is located between Ala Moana and Waikiki and takes between 20 and 30 minutes from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport by taxi. Though it is not in the heart of Waikiki, where many first-time visitors stay, you can reach most shops and restaurants in Waikiki after a 10 to 15-minute walk, depending on which facility you stay at the resort. Away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village has direct access to the beach—Kahanamoku Beach—and it is a fabulous location to stay on Friday for a weekly fireworks show (more on this later).
Lobby & Check-In Review
We took an Uber from the airport to the resort, and with mild traffic, it took about 20 minutes to arrive at the hotel. The Uber driver dropped us off at the main check-in area, and the lobby had about ten front desk representatives checking in and checking out lines of guests.
Fortunately, with my Hilton Honors Diamond status, I could skip the line and check in almost immediately. The front desk agent greeted us with a smile, and even though he didn’t explain the entire resort landscape in detail, we did receive a map of the resort.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he probably couldn’t possibly go over the details of the resort due to the size of the property, but a quick glimpse of the resort would’ve been nice.
He explained that my fiancé and I would each receive $18 food and beverage credit, totaling $36 daily credit for two people. The credit was redeemable at select restaurants and bars.
After checking in, because my fiancé wore an ankle brace, the bell service team assisted us with our luggage and kindly provided complimentary wheelchair access for her.
On the way to our room, we passed by numerous shops, restaurants, and facilities, and the bell service team did an outstanding job of explaining the layout of Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The expansive resort housed luxury shops like Louis Vuitton and perfect souvenir stores like Kona Mountain Coffee.
My favorite store was hHonolulu Cookie Company, situated in Village Green, where various shops are concentrated.
After a peaceful stroll through the resort, we arrived at the 25th floor, where our oceanfront junior suite was located.
Bedroom Review
Sprawling over 700 square feet, the junior suite was very spacious compared to regular rooms, which range between 350 square feet. However, despite the roominess, the room's interior was kept minimal and expectedly featured a conservative design. By the entrance were a decently sized closet and in-room amenities such as a coffee machine and a mini-fridge.
The closet had yukata robes, and I enjoyed their appropriate Hawaiian prints. The mini-fridge had four complimentary water bottles, which were not enough if you stayed at the resort for more than a day or two.
Luckily, there are two ABC Stores on the resort where you can purchase bottled water for cheap.
I wish the hotel had a more modern coffee machine like a K-cup machine, but my room had a rather outdated Cuisinart coffee machine.
While there was a living space with a sectional, the junior suite didn’t offer a separate living room. The bedroom was carpeted, and a king-sized bed was positioned in the middle of the room.
Each bedside had a nightstand with outlets that failed to hold onto chargers. Since functional outlets were not readily available by the bedside, we ended up awkwardly charging our phones and laptops on the floor.
The mattress was comfortable, and across from the bed was a standard flat-screen TV sitting on top of a dresser.
It was slightly disappointing to discover that the TV was not a smart TV, as it would’ve significantly broadened in-room entertainment options. You could watch the TV from an L-shaped sectional in the corner, but the viewing angle wasn’t ideal.
In the opposite corner of the suite were a wooden work desk and a chair. I used the desk in the morning to work, and anytime we needed to eat in the room, we used the desk as a dining table because the coffee table was too low.
The junior suite had two balconies, and the highlight of the room was a true oceanfront view of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head.
Both balconies essentially offered the same view, and I could overlook the Super Pool and Ali’i Pool and measure crowd levels before heading to either of them.
Each balcony had a small side table and two chairs, so if you reserved another connecting room, you could fully take advantage of both balconies with friends or family members.
In my opinion, the balcony delivered exceptional value on Friday night because there is a fireworks show at Kahanamoku Beach every Friday night. Of course, you can relish the show from the beach with everyone else, but it gets very congested, and being able to enjoy the show from the balcony conveniently was a true luxury.
My fiancé and I love exploring new cities and restaurants, so we rarely spend time in the suite. However, I very much appreciated the commodious bedroom because we had additional space for souvenirs and outdoor excursion equipment. Tidying up a room after a long day of outdoor activities was the last item on our agenda. I genuinely enjoyed exceptional views from the suite; the picturesque sight of Diamond Head and Kahanamoku Beach never got old.
Nonetheless, the suite had room for improvement, and it was reflective of the outdated Rainbow Tower. In-room amenities and furniture showed age, and the bedroom could’ve included a dining table to take advantage of its space. With costly resort fees, an upgrade to a junior suite could be expensive, but it could be worth a splurge for the balconies and remarkable oceanfront views.
Bathroom Review
The junior suite had one bathroom, separated from the bedroom by a sliding door, and the bathroom was commodious for a hotel in Hawaii. There was a separate water closet, which ensured extra privacy, but the bathroom featured only one sink.
The granite vanity top quickly became overcrowded with a bunch of toiletries that my fiancé and I shared, and I ended up using a vanity drawer to store my belongings.
Speaking of toiletries, the hotel provided multiple travel-sized products by ānuenue. ānuenue means rainbow in Hawaiian, and they had pleasant tropical coconut and papaya scents. Ānuenue products didn’t overly strip moisture from my skin, and the body soap had exfoliating speckles, which helped to cleanse sunscreen off of my body.
The bathroom had a walk-in shower and a soaking tub. The shower pressure wasn’t the strongest, and the shower took some time to raise the water temperature.
The bathtub couldn’t accommodate more than one adult at once, but having a separate tub was such a blessing in a hotel in the greater Waikiki area since it is rare to come by.
Similar to the bedroom, the bathroom showed signs of age; light switches were discolored, and the interior design of the bathroom stayed traditional. However, I wish the hotel had utilized the bathroom space in a different way. For example, the water closet was very roomy for its worth, and the hotel could’ve allocated additional space for a double sink vanity, creating a more robust bathroom. While the bathroom was slightly outdated, at the end of the day, I appreciated having a stand-alone tub in the suite.
Pool Review
There were six pools at Hilton Hawaiian Village, and among those, we were most curious about the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. We used towel cards to trade them in for beach towels and grabbed a spot by the sand. Because the lagoon was the only saltwater lagoon in Hawaii, I could easily spot shoals of fish. You would never really touch them because they would swim away as you get closer, but Hilton Hawaiian Village successfully created a safe environment for snorkeling.
The water was shallow by the sand, and you could see lots of families with young kids snorkeling, but the water could get as deep as 5 ft in the middle of the lagoon, so you would want to supervise kids appropriately.
If you don’t have snorkeling gear, you can rent one from the towel stand, and if you are interested in other activities, you can rent aqua-cycles and kayaks. Of course, the water wasn’t heated, but with the sun directly above us, we quickly got used to the cool water temperature.
For a more organic way to bask in the sun, you can take a short stroll away from the lagoon and enjoy yourself at Kahanamoku Beach. The water at Kahanamoku Beach was warmer than the hotel pools. While the sand was soft, aqua shoes may be necessary for entering the water due to some large rock shells by the ocean.
Later in the day, we visited the Super Pool, which was the closest facility to the Rainbow Tower. Although it was busy, it wasn't too crowded, and we could tan and swim comfortably.
The Super Pool had a larger adult section and a smaller kid section, with Hau Tree Bar located near the latter. Guests could use their daily food and beverage credit at the bar, and as a result, the Super Pool was a popular spot for adults to relax, grab a drink, and soak up the sun on the chairs. The water was relatively cool, and it was manageable when the sun was out, but it felt cold when it was windy outside.
Depending on where you stay at the resort, you may have to go out of your way to try other facilities. For instance, I did not have the opportunity to visit other pools, such as the indoor pool at the Kalia Tower and the rooftop pool at the Ali'i.
Among the ones I had tried, I thought Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon delivered a special experience as it couldn’t be easily replicated elsewhere. Even if you are farther from the lagoon, it is still worth a visit.
Breakfast Review
One morning, we decided to have breakfast at Starbucks. Although they didn't offer any special Hawaiian items on their menu, the prices were a bit higher since it was located in the resort. If you plan on getting something from Starbucks, be prepared to wait in line during busy morning hours.
The Starbucks near the Tapa Pool was much more crowded compared to the one inside the Kalia Tower. Although the Kalia Tower was a bit further from our room, if you're willing to make the trip to the Kalia Tower, you can save some time when placing your order.
If you're looking for a casual spot with minimal wait times, I suggest checking out Wiki Wiki Market.
It’s a small shop offering coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and prepackaged sandwiches. Located in front of the Super Pool, it's convenient to stop by for a quick lunch.
During our visit, my fiancé chose a ham cheese croissant while I opted for a premade Italian sub since we were planning to go kayaking in the ocean.
Fortunately, we managed to snag one of the three outdoor tables available. The Italian sub was a bit soggy, but the croissant took around five minutes as it was made fresh to order. While the food quality may have been slightly lacking, the convenience factor was definitely there. For a fast and convenient breakfast or lunch on the go, I recommend Wiki Wiki Market.
For a more upscale breakfast experience, I highly recommend CJ's New York Style Deli. Not only do they serve breakfast all day, but the restaurant is also conveniently located in the courtyard on the lower level alongside other shops.
During our visit, we opted to dine inside near the French balconies, creating a delightful outdoor dining atmosphere.
The menu at CJ's is extensive, offering everything from traditional breakfast items like omelets and pastrami sandwiches to Hawaiian classics such as loco moco and garlic shrimp.
My fiancé decided to try the Triple Play, which included mini loco moco, avocado bacon lox, and a stack of mini pancakes topped with shredded coconut and strawberries. It was a fantastic way to sample three different dishes in one sitting.
While the loco moco was slightly overcooked, the addition of gravy made it quite enjoyable. The pancakes were oddly pale in appearance, but they were incredibly fluffy and soft, with the coconut shreds adding a delicious Hawaiian touch. As for myself, I ordered Giovanni's garlic shrimp.
Although it wasn't comparable to the original from the North Shore, it still packed a flavorful punch. With its strong garlic notes, it might have been an unconventional choice for breakfast, and peeling the individual shrimp required a bit of effort. One thing to note is that the daily food and beverage credit does not apply at CJ's New York Style Deli, so keep that in mind if you plan to visit. Of the three places we tried, CJ's stood out the most for its authenticity and higher quality of food.
Gym Review
On the fourth floor of the Kalia Tower, you'll find the gym, along with The Mandara Spa and Salon and Kalia Pool. What surprised me was that it was the only gym available throughout the entire property.
The fitness center operates 24/7, which is convenient. When it comes to cardio equipment, the fitness center had a good selection of Life Fitness machines, including treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals. While they weren't the latest models, they were still in decent condition.
However, considering the size of the gym, it seemed that the hotel focused more on cardio exercises rather than strength training because the number of strength equipment was proportionally smaller. There were two adjustable benches and a range of dumbbells going up to 60 lbs. Moreover, a few essential lifting machines, like a leg press or chest press, were positioned next to the dumbbells.
However, even during regular gym hours, there was often a wait to use them due to their popularity. Despite not meeting the expectations of a mega-resort, the hotel did manage to include some additional workout options in the gym. They had a TRX system available, as well as medicine balls and kettlebells for HIIT workouts. Even though there was also a dedicated space for full-body workouts, due to the high number of people exercising at the same time, many guests seemed hesitant to fully utilize the available space.
I must admit, I had anticipated at least two gyms within the resort, so it was somewhat disheartening to discover only one workout facility at the far end of the property. To further compound the issue, there were a few cardio machines that were out of service. I understand that Hawaii offers numerous outdoor activities, and the hotel boasts a beautiful beach right in front; nonetheless, when considering the size of the resort, the gym's layout and equipment selection left something to be desired.
Bar Review—Tapa Bar
Within the resort, you'll find several bars to choose from. Tropics Bar & Grill presents a conventional combination of drinks and gastropub food items, while Hau Tree Bar, located next to the Super Pool, is the perfect spot for a refreshing cocktail after a swim.
Another option is Tapa Bar, situated next to the Tapa Pool. As someone who appreciates mixology, I was particularly intrigued by Tapa Bar since it is credited with inventing the iconic Blue Hawaii cocktail, which is made with rum or vodka, pineapple juice, blue curacao, and sours.
During our visit, we went in the evening when live music was being performed, and the outdoor bar was bustling with guests. Securing a table proved challenging, as people were lingering to enjoy the music for an extended period.
It's important to note that due to the live music performance, the atmosphere at Tapa Bar can be quite loud at night. Thus, if you plan on staying in the Tapa Tower, be aware of the potentially elevated noise level. Once we were seated, I ordered Blue Hawaii, while my fiancé chose Kauai Tai, which is made with Koloa Silver and Dark rums. The Blue Hawaii lived up to expectations with its refreshing blueberry-lemon Jolly Rancher flavor.
However, I was surprised that it was served in a disposable plastic cup because I initially envisioned that the cocktail would be presented in a more upscale manner, considering its significance in mixology and its origin story. Nonetheless, visiting Tapa Bar was worth it, especially for those who enjoy live music.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Hilton Hawaiian Village is located adjacent to Kahanamoku Beach. While the sand may not be as soft as that of Lanikai Beach, you can still enjoy sunbathing under a palm tree and listening to the soothing sound of waves crashing. For those seeking a more controlled beach environment, the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is the perfect destination, where guests can snorkel alongside fish or opt to rent an AquaCycle. Just be arare that rental fees for activities can be quite high.
My junior suite at the Rainbow Tower had a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. I could enjoy gorgeous views of the Kahanamoku beach during sunrise and sunset from the balcony at my convenience. To top it off, on Friday nights, I had the privilege of watching the fireworks show unfold right in front of me, all while avoiding the bustling crowds.
Since the hotel is a mega resort, there are numerous shops on the property. You can get essentials from two ABC Stores, shop luxury purses from Louis Vuitton, and check out unique Hawaiian shops like Crazy Shirts and Honolulu Cookie Company without ever leaving the resort.
The level of hospitality I experienced from the staff was exceptional. From housekeeping staff to guest relations, everyone greeted me with a smile and went above and beyond to provide a fantastic level of service.
Negatives
Because Hilton Hawaiian Village was not in the heart of Waikiki, the location of the resort may not be ideal for some people. I actually preferred the location since Waikiki is generally louder and congested with people and cars.
As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, my fiancé and I each received $18 for food and beverages. Although I valued the flexibility of using the food and beverage credit at multiple restaurants and bars if you want to get breakfast under the daily $18 credit, the options were narrow (either Wiki Wiki Market or Starbucks). Moreover, the daily credit was not enough to cover more desirable breakfast choices at other restaurants.
Summary
Hilton Hawaiian Village is a massive property in Oahu, Hawaii, and I had the pleasure of staying in an oceanfront junior suite at the Rainbow Tower. The room was definitely showing age and had older amenities. Nonetheless, the views from the balconies were absolutely remarkable, and the bathroom had a freestanding tub and a spacious walk-in shower. Hilton Hawaiian Village featured multiple pools, including an adult-only indoor pool, saltwater lagoon, and direct access to Kahanamoku Beach. After you are done tanning or sipping on a poolside cocktail, visit various shops and restaurants on the property, and I recommend grabbing some butter cookies from Hawaiian Cookie Company. Depending on where your room is, the lodging experience at Hilton Hawaiian Village could significantly vary as some towers were further away from primary amenities, and some rooms were more outdated than others. However, thanks to the resort’s extensive list of restaurants, shops, and activities, you won’t exhaust things to do at the resort. I recommend Hilton Hawaiian Village for those families and couples who value convenience on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii.