Good during the off season

Posted by rmtan from Auburn, CA on 5/29/07

This is an excellent resort for families to visit... during the off season. We stayed from 4/17 thru 4/25 and it was at 50% capacity. While it is massive resort (really 3 resorts in one), I can imagine that when running 70% plus capacity, it could be tough to get around and access amenities. Great service and friendly people working there. KPC restaurant onsite was awesome when you dine there during sunset! Perfect for families with children as there is so much for the kids to do. Dolphin Quest was a once in a lifetime experience for the kids.

Do Not Outsource Service to Red Sail Sports!

Posted by Golnarsarge from Orange County, CA on 5/8/07

This is a magnificent property--also, it has a gorgeous sandy beach A-Bay--but you have to take the on-demand hotel shuttle to it (they do not really tell the guests about this which prompts erroneous complaints that they only have a rocky beach.) Wild bird habitats are all over the resort--the only rooms that are noisy from the birds are in the lagoon tower, and the ocean tower is under construction. We loved the Palace Tower where we stayed. The restaurants are ALL wonderful (Kirin has the best dim sum and hot and sour soup I've ever had--and I lived in the Orient for 8 years). Dolphin Quest was AMAZING--you need to book it a couple of months before--so don't miss out! The salt water ocean fed lagoon was wonderful and the quantity of fish and other marine life in it was astounding (we saw 8 sea turtles!). The Kona pool and Kohala pool are huge and lovely as well. Now, the bad points: they have outsourced the service at the lagoon and pools i.e,. towel service, to Red Sail Sports (the company that does their water sports and tours)--big mistake! The Red Sail Sports employees are SO RUDE and abrupt. Also, the towel service stops at 5 p.m.--so even though the sun was out til 7, we could not make full use of the facilities. The only reason I did not give it lower than a 2 for service is the wonderful service we received at the restaurants and the housekeeping staff (actual Hilton employees). Also, for a resort this size (over 2000 rooms) the room service was surprisingly always on time with hot and delicious food.

HAPPY TIME HAD AT THE HILTON

Posted by dawnstef from Sherman Oaks,CA on 12/26/06

My husband and I stayed here for 4 nights during the first week of December. The hotel was empty - which was great. The best tower is the Lagoon Tower - it is near all of the action - however be warned that the property has some very noisy (read LOUD) birds that wake up in the morning screeching and do a repeat performance at sundown! The rooms are fine, clean and with very comfortable beds with down duvets. Housekeeping is unobtrusive, and the staff was overall accomodating. Only issue - Hawaii just passed a law that prevents any smoking in public areas - which is lovely for a non-smoker like myself - but the hotel staff was not at their best when it came to upholding the new law. I am sure that they will improve with time. I would recommend this hotel highly for families (tons of activities for kids, and most are free, including the tram around the property and the boat around the river that flows through the property too), but my husband and I enjoyed ourselves greatly and we have no kids! Only warning - other than noisy birds - I heard that during the busy season the hotel can be very VERY crowded...so go in the low season like we did! By the way, we stayed at the Four Seasons Hualalai last year - and we actually had more fun at the Hilton! Four Seasons was too expensive, the grounds are dark and somber, and the hotel guests are snotty! Stick with the Hilton - better prices and better atmosphere!

Good but could be much better.

Posted by johnycol from Chicago on 11/30/06

This place is big but I new that going in. My biggest beef is why you would block the ocean view from the lagoon pool with a row of thick hedges. I go to Hawaii to enjoy the ocean view not a row of bushes! Pretty crowded scene and definately not low key. Good for families with kids old enough to explore the place. Food was ok but not a good value for the $$.

Big and Beautiful, but keep your wallet handy

Posted by David from Boston on 9/12/06

Overall a fabulous resort. We were very impressed with the layout, 6 pools, lagoona, the tram and boats are impressive, all in all gorgeous. But they nickle and dime you to death! When you pay $300/night you expect *some* things to be included. OK, $10 drinks, $60/person at Donatoni's (for average Italian food) I was expecting that. But $6 an hour to use a pool float? The last straw was when we got on a shuttle to go to the shops 1/2 mile up the street and they charged us $1 per person. Come on. Is the ice machine coin operated? They do everything they can to keep you on the property (why do you need to go to a beach? We have a man-made lagoon.) But after 4 days we were going stir crazy and had to get out. Overall, I'd recommend it, but just don't stay too long. Oh, and keep plenty of cash on hand. You'll never know when you'll need it.

Very cool but outrageously expensive

Posted by Lori from Ohio on 4/24/06

Very neat place. If you have the opportunity to stay,do, but be prepared to pay. From $8 hot dogs to $15 a day valet parking, it seems they way over price where they don't need to. Many pools and restaurants. The dolphin experience is one I'll never forget. Sea turtles in the lagoon you can swim up and touch is not matched anywhere else. Rooms are only average but the grounds outweigh the average rooms. The only real drawback is the size. It is bigger than the big Vegas hotels. It can be a test of patience waiting on boats and trams to take you from one part to another. Still I would recommend spending at least part of your vacation here.