Hawaii 1st-timer having 2nd thoughts
 

It has been so hard to decide the best place for my family (hubby and 2 kids: ages 12 & 9) to stay on Oahu. This is our first trip to Hawaii and I know everything won't be perfect but a bad hotel can be a real discouragement after spending a small fortune to go. We'll be spending 5 nights in Oahu the first week of July and then moving on to Kauai for 4 more nights. I've settled on the Grand Hyatt on Kauai and we are really looking forward to that. I originally had us booked at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu in the Rainbow Tower but the room was small with 2 double beds. I have a boy and a girl who are past the stage of wanting to sleep in the same bed. Also, my husband and I will be celebrating our 15th Wedding Anniversary during the week so a little separation from the kids would be nice. I cancelled our reservation at the Hilton and booked a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo at the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Tower -for double the price, I might add. Now I'm wondering if this will really be worth $565/night. Can somebody please shed some light on this? Is this a good move or will I wish I'd stayed somewhere else? The reviews are so mixed - just when I feel good about it, I'll read a terrible review. I've researched these hotels for 3 months and I'm having such a hard time deciding that it's taking the fun out of it. Please help!

Have you looked into private rentals, like on vrbo.com? That seems awfully expensive to me, even though I lived in Hawaii for three years and have returned several times since.

You won't really be in your room that much. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is an excellent location on a very nice part of the beach. There are activities for kids, and the property is large. There's so much to do outside the room that I just don't think the room should be as important as the great location.

Just in the last few minutes, I've read several great reviews about the Hilton and now I'm really wondering if I should switch back. I didn't know I could rent a condo at ResortQuest thru vrbo. I'm planning to check on that right now. It is outrageously expensive booking thru the hotel!

Switch back. HHV is good for kids.

RQ Waikiki Beach Tower is not worth double the price. But it is a condo with a full kitchen, so if you want some room & are willing to make some meals, it may be worth a lot more than an HHV room.

You can get a private condo at many of the properties in Waikiki that have management companies like Resortquest or Outrigger. In most properties, the individual condo owners are not forced to go with the management company. So you can find units on www.vrbo.com in the same property.

If you want to save some $$ look into Resortquest Waikiki Sunset. Its decent, but a block from the beach.

What about the HHV Lagoon Tower? Isn't that all suites?

Can be more helpful if you can state what your reasons were for picking the HHV (and I apologize if you've posted this before). If you are after a resort experience in Waikiki, then you have no choice, that is absolutely the place you must stay and you should switch back pronto.

But if you need a home base for exploration, then nighttime convenience, there are tons of less expensive options that are not creepy....what about adjoining rooms in a less expensive property if the resort amenities are unimportant? There are some business-like hotels in Waikiki with lower rates that should come in around $400 for adjoining rooms...the newly redone Hilton comes to mind...small pool. Just fine as a base for exploring...

What about one of the condo hotels on the far end of the park? It's a short stroll to dinner with lots of people around and then you have easy in and out for touring and more space. I'm thinking of either that New Otani or the condos down there at the W end...

You could certainly find something for less.

If you also want a resort experience on Oahu...then have you disqualified Turtle Bay? Perfect for kids. Waterslides, true Hawaii feel...local options for dinner and you'll just have a long drive.

Hard to help without knowing your needs...

Switch back to HHV if you are deciding between the two. If you haven't checked out VRBO, then you may find it worthwhile. I got married on Oahu last July and found accommodations for many of my guests on vrbo.com. I've also used the site since for places in the continental US. Good luck!

Take a look at the Embassy Suites. I have read good reviews of them and I think they are less expensive than the HHV.

Thanks for all your help! Also, "leavingsoon", my main reason for choosing HHV to begin with was for the kids. After we settled on the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, I thought 2 huge resorts might be a little much and we'd settle back and have something a little smaller on Oahu. Having 3 beds is my main objective - even a rollaway would be fine but some of the rooms are too small and won't allow a rollaway. I seriously considered the Outrigger Reef on the Beach for a while because they do have rooms with a sofa bed.

I did check on VRBO for the Lagoon Tower at HHV and they seem to either be rented weekely or they are just as expensive as RQ Tower. There is a room in the Diamond Head Tower at HHV which has a separate bedroom and a living area with a sofa bed. I was just a little leary of it being one of the older buildings.

Let me say that I've printed off tons of stuff that fodorites have said about things to do once we get there. It WILL be a wonderful trip - I'm making this too hard so I'm definitely making up my mind TODAY! We leave in 83 days!!!

I guess I'm trying to figure out why you cancelled the Hawaiian Village and booked an apartment for "double" the price. Why not just get a second room at the HV? I think that would solve all your problems -- I'd be very surprised if the HV couldn't give you adjoining or at least adjacent rooms.

I would not pay that much for a hotel room. I realize you are 4 people but there is NO normal hotel room that would be worth $565 to me.

As above, why not get 2 adjoining rooms at HHV or another beach hotel (anything under $250 you're still 'saving' money)? Or could you have a cot brought in to the HHV room so the kids don't have to share the bed? if that's the driving issue.

So, it seems like an easy decision:

You are worried about a "bad hotel" yet have found the HHV. It is a "good hotel"!

I just looked at their site, so yeah, the decor is a little dated in that picture of Diamond Head Suite, but what if they've changed the upholstery since then and it's exactly the same?

Once your stuff if all over the chairs and sofa, then you are left with a lot of space in the resort you want to be in and still at a lower rate than the Resort Quest.

It's about the resort...it's not about the room. Waikiki is an old city. Lower your expectations and enjoy everything outside! You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Then, for your 20th you can go to Tahiti just the two of you....

"I would not pay that much for a hotel room. I realize you are 4 people but there is NO normal hotel room that would be worth $565 to me."

What, suze? I read it that the $565 is for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath full condominium apartment. No?

Opps, so sorry, you're absolutely right. Then I guess that is something only the OP can answer. We can't know if it is worth the extra price to her family to have a nice apartment situation with separate bedrooms and bathrooms, or make do with a normal room.

Hopefully you realize that Waikiki is going to be more busy and possibly less relaxing, anywhere you stay, than most places on Kauai. Honolulu is a big city. I'm wondering why you are spending more time on Oahu with kids that age. When our son was that age, we went directly to Maui or Kauai (the last thing we want to do after getting relaxed the first few days is to pick up and head to the airport for a different island midway through the trip, but that's us). But maybe there are important sites, such as Pearl Harbor, you want to see on Oahu. You'll have a great time regardless.

Honolulu is a big city, but Waikiki is a big beach! Don't let the previous poster discourage you -- Oahu is great, and Waikiki is fantastic with kids (and yes, we've been to all of the islands).

Honolulu has a million people, a freeway (the H1) and tv traffic reports all day. Forget Waikiki beach. Stay over on the east side of the island; there are plenty of homes/ duplexes in Kanahoe Bay and south that will accommodate your family. You have good access to Honolua Bay for snorkelling, the North Shore and the cross-island road is handy to get to Pearl Harbor.

OK, just checked the map; it's Hanauma not Honolua Bay. So much for my memory.

The area I referenced is between the Marine Air base at Kamehoe south to Lanikai. We stayed in the north end a few years back and liked it. The Marine bugler was a good wakeup call. Kailua Beach county park would be perfect for a family; calm water, good views.

As a local, I avoid Waikiki at all costs. Too crowded for my tastes.

HOWEVER.....for tourists, I think it's something you want to experience at least once. Yes, it's very "touristy," but what the heck....you ARE a tourist! :)

Taken with the right attitude and knowing what Waikiki is really about and what to expect, you could have a blast!

jcn.....

....having read your OP again, I can empathize. I think most of us who like to "plan" vacations can empathize. You go through all the details, research, to try and make the best choice. Trouble is, as soon as you make it, the OTHER OPTION looks better! :)

Afterall, other options are always going to have something your final choice did not.

My advice....do the research, make your choice and be happy with it. If not, as you say, you're going to lose the "joy" out of the trip.

Hey, you're going to be in Hawaii! How bad can it be? :)

I know the Waikiki Beach Tower very well. It is one of the best condominiums in Waikiki -- certainly with the largest floorplans. A comparable room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, say in the timeshare if rooms were available to the general public, would certainly be that much, if not more.

Here is what you might consider as you determine whether to keep your reservation at the Waikiki Beach Tower or go back to the HHV:

1. How important is the size of the room? If size is less important than having everything in one place within the resort, then HHV is more your style. The Waikiki Beach Tower units are very large -- huge by hotel standards.
2. Where do you want to be located? The Waikiki Beach Tower is right across from famous Waikiki Beach and in the middle of Waikiki. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is at one end of Waikiki and getting back to the center will require walking or shuttling -- neither of which is daunting, but still required.
3. How important is a large, full kitchen? If your family likes to snack, eat breakfast "in", eat at intervals, or just do your own cooking, then you might consider that besides a larger unit, you'll have the use of a fully equipped kitchen.
4. What kinds of activities are you planning? Unless you plan to spend all your time at the resort, being in a "stand alone" hotel will not be a disadvantage. Honolulu is a pretty large city with varied activities. In Waikiki there is a trolley system, there are taxis, and a great public bus system (that will take you all over the island).

I have cousins who stayed with their families at the Waikiki Beach Tower over the holidays. They loved the convenience of the location and having their own kitchen. If was the second stay for one family. And they are very discrimating travellers, who could afford to stay anywhere.

If this is a very special trip, the price of the accommodations at the Waikiki Beach Tower is worth it.

By the way, please request a room above the 17th floor for the best ocean views.

Have a wonderful trip to our islands!

Voyager61 & Newport30~
If Honolulu/Waikiki are so darn awful, I wonder why so many people vacation there, and return again and again???
;-)

For the same reason so many people go to NYC and stay in the Times Square/Theatre District -- because it's exciting and totally different than what they have at home. By the way, not everyone goes on vacation to relax and "do nothing".

NeoPatrick......

I think that's why locals need to be careful in giving visitors tips to their home areas.

Folks that live in an area may not enjoy things that visitors may love and may scare them off it.

I think we need to look at it from the visitor's point of view when giving advice, not necessarily what we may like as local residents.

OK.....thanks so much for all your posts, questions, and ideas. There are definitely a multitude of opinions and ideas but, as I said before, I'm putting too much pressure on myself. I'm going with my first choice and switching back to HHV. To answer one of your questions, both my husband and my son are huge history buffs so to travel to Hawaii without visiting Pearl Harbor would be unspeakable. Also, I had not thought about the possibility of adjoining rooms at HHV; I might check into that.

As to the questions "Why we're spending so much time on Oahu?" When you've never been, everything is new. We assumed there would be more there for the kids to enjoy. Both my daughter and I are nature lovers but hubby and son wouldn't be up for just taking in the scenery everyday.

The last long trip we took was to DisneyWorld for a week and the kids argued so much that it ruined the whole vacation for everyone......thus, the reason for wanting a bigger room. Also, I did ask about a cot at HHV in the Rainbow Tower room that I had originally booked. I was told that the room was not big enough for a cot.

Suze, I don't WANT to pay that much for a room - that's why I'm asking for advice. Keep in mind that I've never been and I'm just trying to get enough information from people who DO know to make a good choice. More than likely, we'll wait until the kids are in college and go back alone. I just want it to be as good as it can be.

Thanks again to everyone - all your suggestions are appreciation. I'm in the process of switching back to HHV now.

Suze,
I really don't know the answer to your question! I suspect they want to spend their time shopping.

But really, I'm sitting here in Seattle; a gray, high-40's day with a bit of rain spitting down. I'd love to be on Waikiki right now.

<i>I really don't know the answer to your question! I suspect they want to spend their time shopping.</i>

I have to assume you're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding. I've been to Oahu and Waikiki on multiple occasions, and have never once done any more than an hour or two of souvenir shopping.

&quot;I've settled on the Grand Hyatt on Kauai and we are really looking forward to that.&quot;

Be advised that the beach at the Hyatt can be extremely rough and you will need a car to be able to drive to safer beaches for your children to swim.

For half the price of a room at the Hyatt, you can rent a condo in Poipu with 2 or even 3 bedrooms and you will have a kitchen. Restaurant food gets old after a while especially when you have active kids who don't like to sit around for hours each day waiting for the food to arrive.

We avoided Waikiki for years, just passed thru' HNL on the way elsewhere. Broke the pattern in 2004 and spent a few days in Waikiki, loved it and we did the same last year.

I second the Embassy as an option, it was very comfortable.

Newport30~ Well I LOVE Waikiki and Honolulu and I HATE shopping, so no it's not that.

I think you just have a closed mind or a bad attitude or something to say &quot;forget Waikiki beach&quot;, that is hardly a fair thing to say to a 1st timer excited about going to Oahu. Sheez.

Well, if I've learned anything from this it's that everybody has an opinion; some of them more passionate than others. Thanks for all your help. After I go to Oahu this time, I may never want to go again or we may love it. Either way, I'm still excited about it and can't wait to see what it's like - city, shopping, paradise, or waste of time - it's not South Carolina and it will be worth the trip. I've read the same sorts of things about Niagara Falls (too touristy and cheesy) but I loved it!

I have looked into the Embassy Suites and it's about $120 per night cheaper for a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo. I like the idea of being able to have breakfast in the room or a free breakfast bar in the hotel.

As far as the Hyatt on Kauai, my kids are more interested in the pool than the ocean (I just love to &quot;look&quot; at the ocean and walk on the beach)and I figured we would spend more time &quot;relaxing&quot; on Kauai than on Oahu. I was almost convinced to stay at the Waipouli Beach Condos until I realized that it would be just as expensive as the Hyatt by the time I paid the &quot;clean out&quot; fees that all the owners on VRBO require. For the pools and the waterslides, I decided on the Hyatt. We have a car rented on Kauai and already have a helicopter tour scheduled. I'm sure that our activities there will be great!

Thanks to all of you, I am no longer worried about where I'm staying; it'll be fine wherever we end up spending each night. I'm thankful for the opportunity to go and blessed to have a healthy family to travel with. I'll post a trip report when we get back so you'll know how wonderful it was!

Thanks again!

We stayed at the RQ Waikiki Sunset a few years back - I posted a review and photos of it on TripAdvisor.com . We loved it, great location, not too expensive, had a full kitchen (we ate in every night except one) and the grocery store was just a few blocks away. I do know, from reading other reviews, that some units are in need of renos/repair, but the one we had was just fine.

jcn - Be sure to have a meal at the Holokai Grill at Waikiki Beachwalk (especially if you end up at the Embassy Suites) - it's on the upper level and has good food and decent (for Waikiki) prices. Also, try the Shorebird in the Outrigger Reef (across from the Embassy)- there are $1 off for breakfast coupons in all the little ad magazines you'll find. It's a great place - right on the beach - open air - at night they have (free) entertainment and you can grill your own food. You can't beat the location and the prices aren't bad. Of course Duke's in the Outrigger is a must (IMO) and a great place to see the sunset. But if you want to go for dinner call for reservations - this place gets PACKED but that adds to the fun (IMO). Also - upstairs from Duke's is the Hula Grill and Chuck's Steakhouse which are both great choices - I love breakfast at Hula Grill - ask to sit on the railing - great view. (I preferred this to the Duke's breakfast buffet - but that's purely my opinion).

There is a neat coffee shop on Ala Moana, just across the street from the HHV - called Wailana's - open 24 hrs and has a great menu and really reasonable prices.

Whether you end up at HHV or Embassy - you'll enjoy Waikiki Beachwalk - it's got lots of shops and it's fun to walk around whether you're buying or just looking.

If you're in Waikiki on Friday or Saturday night, you might enjoy seeing Olomana - they are a local recording group and perform in the Paradise Lounge in the Rainbow Tower of the HHV. Your kids would be welcome there - the lounge is open air, with sofas and comfy chairs - like sitting in someone's living room - the ocean is just outside and you can see it through the &quot;windows&quot; - the music is wonderful. Mostly all in Hawaiian and they give you the history behind each song which is very interesting. Local celebrities and dancers (hula) often stop by and sit-in so it's always fun.

You mention that you folks like history - try and get to the Iolani Palace or the Bishop Museum for a tour (or both) - it's a wonderful way to learn more about Hawaii's unique history. Also - the Moana Hotel has a free tour some afternoons that is very interesting. Whether you do the tour or not, be sure to spend some time on the porch - they have a bunch of rocking chairs that anyone is welcome to sit in and watch the people go by on Kalakaua. Very fun.

Above all - RELAX and have a great trip!

Hi,
I suppose by now you've got all your plans nailed down. Don't second guess yourself any more. Your kids will love Waikiki. They'll be so tired by bedtime that they could probably fall asleep standing in the corner. So many things to do within walking distance. We come from a very small midwest community and spend a week of our Hawaiian vacation every year in Honolulu. The remaining time is spent on Maui, winding down and resting up from all the Honolulu activities. Waikiki is like Mardi Gras for us. We love going up to the &quot;avenue&quot; after dark and watching all the people, the street mimes and sidewalk entertainment. During the day we hop the bus, a shuttle or just walk wherever we need to go. We always sit and watch the surf schools and are amazed at how quickly kids pick it up. The aquarium in the heart of Waikiki is great, too. On weekend nights they have movies on the beach and what an experience that is. Like our old time drive in movies but instead of sitting in your car, you dig a chair in the sand. Watching a movie on the beach, listening to the waves, watching the airplane lights and the stars...ahhhhh. Not to mention the food vendors...smile. The Hilton property is itself like a mini town and your kids will find lots to do there.
Please give us a report when you return and let us know how it went and whether you were pleased with your lodging options. Just have fun! Don't overthing any of it. I know the key to successful travel with kids is being flexible.
Aloha,
Kalena

I don't have an opinion about where to stay - only that, if possible, see more than just Waikiki. For a family, I highly recommend getting up to north shore to see Waimea Bay, the Waimea Falls park, and the Polynesian Cultural Center, including the dinner and evening dance performances. The Kanahoe/Lanakai side of the Island will also give you a very different perspective, as will Hanaumau Bay on the south side.