Tell me about the Hale Koa (Oahu)
Aug 26th, 2007, 05:46 AM
#1
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Tell me about the Hale Koa (Oahu)
We have friends in the military who have offered to sponser us at the Hale Koa hotel.
What is this hotel like?
We'll have 3 kids with us. Do they have family suites or are the rooms large?
What is the beach like? (Is it on Waikiki Beach???)
What about the restaurants here?
Are the pools good for the kids?
Overall, would you recommend it for a family with small children?
Thanks!
What is this hotel like?
We'll have 3 kids with us. Do they have family suites or are the rooms large?
What is the beach like? (Is it on Waikiki Beach???)
What about the restaurants here?
Are the pools good for the kids?
Overall, would you recommend it for a family with small children?
Thanks!
Aug 26th, 2007, 06:43 AM
#4
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I checked into it last year, thinking we might be eligible since DH did a tour of duty. They said that you either had to be retired career or active duty.
I think I have read on here that you [non-qualifiers] may be allowed to go as long as a member of your party meets these qualifications and that they are staying at hotel with you.
Again, I could be wrong.
The hotel complex looked wonderful as we drove past and I talked to a woman at the airport awaiting flight home who had stayed there. Sounds great.
Type in Hale Koa hotel in the search box above to read up on threads that include the hotel - here's one that has lots of info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34739928
Debi
Debi
I think I have read on here that you [non-qualifiers] may be allowed to go as long as a member of your party meets these qualifications and that they are staying at hotel with you.
Again, I could be wrong.
The hotel complex looked wonderful as we drove past and I talked to a woman at the airport awaiting flight home who had stayed there. Sounds great.
Type in Hale Koa hotel in the search box above to read up on threads that include the hotel - here's one that has lots of info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34739928
Debi
Debi
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:02 AM
#5
We spent a lot of time at their beach bar "The Barefoot Bar" which is open to the public, this past January. Great spot for watching sunsets!
Yes it is right on Waikiki beach (at the Fort de Russey end).
I don't know for sure about requirements. I also thought it was only for military and immediate family. but your friends in the military and living on Oahu should know.
Yes it is right on Waikiki beach (at the Fort de Russey end).
I don't know for sure about requirements. I also thought it was only for military and immediate family. but your friends in the military and living on Oahu should know.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:14 AM
#7
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Just a note -- according to the web page it is also open to civil employees (GS-#), not just ret8ired and active duty. Price varies according to rank, so someone enlisted on leave will pay less than a civil GS-13. But both of 'em will pay less than everyone else on Waikiki 
MaiTaiMary, maybe since your friends live on Oahu, they were planning to book a room for four (under their name and military ID) and let your family stay in it? That might be feasible.
The hotel gets rave reviews on tripadvisor. I think the low price helps, but we stayed next door at the HHV and the Hale Koa shares a beach and overlooks DeRussy Park. Great location.
MaiTaiMary, maybe since your friends live on Oahu, they were planning to book a room for four (under their name and military ID) and let your family stay in it? That might be feasible.
The hotel gets rave reviews on tripadvisor. I think the low price helps, but we stayed next door at the HHV and the Hale Koa shares a beach and overlooks DeRussy Park. Great location.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:15 AM
#8
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I'm pretty sure you need a military id to check in and will be curious to learn what you find out. DH has been in the military for a long time now and he has not heard of such a thing but you never know!
The Hale Koa is a very nice hotel. Open air lobby, great restaurant, beautiful grounds and pool, terrific beach with views of Diamond Head in the distance.
The beach is a bit of a walk from the main hubub surrounding Waikiki. The water in front of the hotel is calm, almost bay like so it's perfect for kids.
We haven't stayed there but once visited friends who did with their four kids and they loved it. We got to check out their room which was spacious and had a balcony facing the ocean.
There are a few shops on ground level but without a military id you won't be able to use them, fyi. I don't recall if the restaurant checks id.
The Hale Koa is a very nice hotel. Open air lobby, great restaurant, beautiful grounds and pool, terrific beach with views of Diamond Head in the distance.
The beach is a bit of a walk from the main hubub surrounding Waikiki. The water in front of the hotel is calm, almost bay like so it's perfect for kids.
We haven't stayed there but once visited friends who did with their four kids and they loved it. We got to check out their room which was spacious and had a balcony facing the ocean.
There are a few shops on ground level but without a military id you won't be able to use them, fyi. I don't recall if the restaurant checks id.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:20 AM
#9
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We are booked for a stay there in March. My DH has been there, but I have not (yet). He said anyone can use the restaurant, but the hotel is different. When I booked, they said we would need to show our military ID when we arrive.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:27 AM
#10
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yes, you will need a military ID. and you want to be very careful, if you're friends do try to get you in under their names, and you get "caught" they may lose their military privileges. not worth the savings IMO.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:31 AM
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Here is a link to the eligibility requirements.
http://halekoa.com/elig.htm
So it looks like you will need to find alternate accommodations.
http://halekoa.com/elig.htm
So it looks like you will need to find alternate accommodations.
Aug 26th, 2007, 08:54 AM
#12
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I stayed there 5 years ago. My dad was retired military staying there, and got a 2nd room for DH and I. So that's a different situation from what you describe. Anyway, it was a great value in one of the best Waikiki locations. And I 2nd Suze's Barefoot Bar reccomendation.
Aug 26th, 2007, 09:01 AM
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Yes you can be sponsored but only if the Sponsor meets the eligibility requiremnts and you are Family not friends and there is space available....
But the Hale Koa room are very, very, very busy right now serving the deserving eligible people...
Look into staying with your friends..ask them take you as guests to Hale Koa to enjoy Sunday Brunch or Luau or show or picnic at the HAle Koa Beach and offer to pay for them
or find other accomodations: as mentioned the Hilton Hawaiian Village next door to Hale Koa(specifically the HHV condos thru VBRO) would be as great option for you and teh kids.
But the Hale Koa room are very, very, very busy right now serving the deserving eligible people...
Look into staying with your friends..ask them take you as guests to Hale Koa to enjoy Sunday Brunch or Luau or show or picnic at the HAle Koa Beach and offer to pay for them
or find other accomodations: as mentioned the Hilton Hawaiian Village next door to Hale Koa(specifically the HHV condos thru VBRO) would be as great option for you and teh kids.
Aug 26th, 2007, 10:21 AM
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Yes Suze "everyone can use the restaurants"...but ONLY as I said in my post. You have to be sponsored by an officially eligible recognized sponsor, the sponsor has to make the restaurant reservation and be present at the time the restaurant is being used, and you must be a "guest of the sponsor present"
The key to understanding the elgibility requirements for Hale Koa and other like official rest and recreation (R & R) places is to READ the requuirements and to UNDERSTAND you have to have an officially recognized eligible sponsor if you yourself do not meet the eligibility requirements. See the HK website...so we post reliable info
The key to understanding the elgibility requirements for Hale Koa and other like official rest and recreation (R & R) places is to READ the requuirements and to UNDERSTAND you have to have an officially recognized eligible sponsor if you yourself do not meet the eligibility requirements. See the HK website...so we post reliable info
Aug 26th, 2007, 11:51 AM
#20
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I guess our friends misunderstood.
No biggie.
We'll just find someplace else.
It was just an idea we were tossing around for sometime in the future. Gotta get through Maui in January first, then we'll look into Oahu more!
No biggie.
We'll just find someplace else.
It was just an idea we were tossing around for sometime in the future. Gotta get through Maui in January first, then we'll look into Oahu more!
