janT

My husband and I are going to Hawaii this coming August. Having always wanted to visit the "small" island, Kauai, we will be staying at the Hilton there (in Lihue) because we have free points to use up. From what I can gather, this hotel was only recently taken over by Hilton properties. It's now called the Kauai Hilton Beach Resort and was maybe a Radisson property before? We are having a hard time getting any objective reviews on this property because there seems to be confusion about what property it is exactly. I just would like to know who has stayed there in the last 6 months or so, what your impressions were and what we need to ask for, be prepared for, etc. Thanks!!

iamq

A poster named songdoc stayed there last year. Search using his name and you will see his trip report.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ai_Hawaii.html

-Bill

janT

I actually saw that post, Bill, but was not quite sure if it was this hotel or not. Do you feel confident it's the same property? He never really identifies it as a Hilton and located in Lihue, so I was not sure.

auntiemaria

We've had so many name-changes of resort properties here on Kaua`i lately, my husband joked that each of the resorts should just put up a lovely brass sign that simply states RESORT or HOTEL -- and then run a banner up their flagpole with the _current_ name of the facility!

This particular property was a Hilton when first built, then over the years went through various name changes...and is now a Hilton once again.

Yes, songdoc's review is of the now-Hilton property. But I should add that even more renovations have happened since songdoc's stay last year. It's a very nice property -- but the beach is not recommended for swimming (as goes with all beaches on our east side, except for the manmade lagoons at Lydgate Park).

janT

Thank you! That helps tremendously to get that clarification. I feel better now about having booked this particular property.

We have all these Hilton points, wanted to make this trip an easier one by staying in the states but something exotic and removed (desperately in need of R&R!!), still have some adventure options, but did not want the big "resort" experience. We opted for Hawaii because of the former, but all the other Hilton properties on the other islands sounded more like the latter...so Kauai it is. We've always been intrigued by all we've read about it (and actually were booked for a visit back when the first Gulf War broke out, we had to cancel, and have never had a chance to try again), so we are really looking forward to this trip. Just wish we could do it sooner. I need the respite of a holiday right now!

Thanks again for your answers. If anyone else has any specific advice on this hotel, I'm eager to hear it. BTW, the beach being unswimmable is not an issue for us. We prefer walking the beach anyway. Just want to hear and smell that ocean, that's all!