we are going to Waikiki next April and are trying to decide which hotel has the better beach, pool, location for shopping and things for the teenagers to do. they are 13 & 14. also which room to get with a view and balcony and a good size. some help would be great...thanks

We have never been to the outrigger, but we have stayed at the hhv three times with our three kids. the hhv is the largest hotel in hawaii so there is a lot to do and see. the beach there is also very nice (perhaps the nicest on waikiki). we usually get two rooms at the alii tower. very nice and worth the extra you pay. can't beat the views from the balcony overlooking the pacific at night. have fun and be sure to drive to the north shore and go snorkeling at hanauma bay.

The Hilton is much nicer. The Outrigger is closer to the areas I like to looks around Waikiki. I would still pick the Hilton because of the grounds, pool, etc.

How is the beach at HHV? easy access? any reef or rock? is the water clean and clear? also anyone been there for easter break? lot of partiers or mainly familys?...thanks

I just spent a week at hhv Ali'i tower in August. I would highly recommend hhv. The beach is sandy and very easy to get to! Clean, clear water.. and I didn't notice any rocks or reef. The grounds at hhv are beautiful!

I would suggest Rainbow Tower or Ali'i for convenience to the beach and the super pool.

I stayed at hhv Ali'i during my spring break a few years ago. There were lots of families there at that time. I didn't notice too many "partiers". Even when the place is packed, you don't get that crowded feeling at hhv because of the size of the resort. There's lots of space... nice ponds with fish, greenery, flowers, walking paths, etc.

Rainbow Tower rooms fill up first, I would guess, as you have a water view on either side of the tower. The east side view is of Diamondhead and Waikiki, higher floors having the clearest view. If you stay on a lower floor you still see the beach, and you can also watch the nightly "shows" at the super pool from your balcony.

If you stay in the Ali'i Tower, you will pay more for a beachfront view. I had a lovely balcony overlooking the super pool in a "partial" beach view room. You would want two connecting rooms and each would have its own balcony. I've stayed in a "garden view" room at Ali'i also, but prefer the partial ocean view. Ali'i rooms are lovely!

The Ali'i Tower has its own small pool on the second floor, next to the spa, and access to this tower is limited to guests staying in this building! Keeps it a bit quieter! You can get a light breakfast (for a charge) by this pool at Ali'i. The other towers do not have their own private access pools, I don't think.

Hhv has a lot of shops right on the grounds of the resort. You can also walk over to the main shopping street, which is an easy stroll from hhv, or you can hop on the trolley and go to the malls or Hilo Hattie's or Ward Center, etc. so shopping is easy to reach from hhv.

I think if you opt for the Outrigger, you will find that it is a nice highrise, with some ocean view rooms, and there are no grounds to wander. It is JUST a hotel (with nice pool), basically. Hhv is a resort, with everything that that usually includes. For spring break, Outrigger would be the partier's choice as the cost is probably a little less.

Enjoy Waikiki! It's lovely!

The beach in front of the HHV is very nice. We stayed at the Outrigger Reef and walked up the beach past Fort DeRussey Park to look at the HHV. It looks like the place to be.