Rene

I originally posted this in the wrong forum! I'll try again.

I'm traveling with my family over spring break to Hawaii. We already have a pkg booked at the HHV. I'm wondering if it would be worth the extra $ or HH points to try and upgrade from an ocean-view in the Rainbow Tower to an ocean-view in the Alii Tower. Is there a big difference in amenities or view? My kids are 12 and 17, so I think this resort is a good fit for us, but I really want to make sure we get a nice room. Thanks for any advice!

Rene

SFImporter

Staying in the Alii Tower in mid- February, I'll be glad to share info on my return. I imagine the view is quite the same but a check of the Hilton website shows their extra amenities - including private Alii pool.

Ryan

We stayed there for a few nights last year for a relatives wedding. We thought the amenities at the Ali'i Tower (sp?) were worth it. The private a pool is a nice feature as the main pool seemed like it could get fairly crowded. The continental breakfast was also nice for a quick meal.

Not sure if the rooms are substantially different from one tower to the next.

BTW, we had a really great dinner at a Thai restaurant a few blocks from the hotel, it was called Keo's.

1blue_eye

Rene, my personal opinion is that if the cost of upgrading isn't too much, at least avoid Rainbow tower. I've been to this hotel twice and Rainbow is old and the rooms represent this because they are smaller rooms with fewer amenities since they were built before a lot of the modern stuff was put into hotel rooms. This tower really shows its age, and the ocean view I don't find too exciting after the first 5 minutes of looking at it. I've never stayed at Alii, but did stay in Tapa Tower which had larger rooms and was much cleaner with a more modern feel although your view is not of the ocean.If it isn't TOO busy at the hotel, you may get upgraded for free if you ask especially if you already booked an ocean-view room. We had to have an aerator sent up to our Rainbow room to get the mustiness out. Overall though I think this is a great hotel especially with kids.

Mauigirl

I agree with info given on Rainbow Tower - it's one of HHV oldest buildings. I loved Ali'i tower - private pool - fitness center - nice sized rooms - private concierge service.

asbachnate

We stayed in the Tapa tower last May and loved it. We were a little over half way up on the rear corner facing diamond head and the ocean.
The view was great! I would ask for the back corner again because the room is larger and you have a view over Honolulu and the misty, green hills behind Honolulu, yet the view of the ocean and Diamond Head are fantastic!
You also have a view of the garden and smaller pool just bellow you. The tapa also has the nice, outdoor pub at the bottom. We really enjoyed our time there. The village was great and the location can't be beat.

SFImporter

I'm back - and I wasn't that impressed with the Alii Tower. The rooms are OK but I hated the fact that all of the doors are slatted louvers (sp?) which means very little privacy in the bathroom.

BEWARE of the definition of your room. We had a partial ocean view that turned out to be a partial ocean view when you step out and stand in one corner of the lanai.

The private pool is good if you like quiet sunning, but the pool itself is a very small rectangle - nothing to write home about.

The private workout room is the size of a closet with very few machines.

The free evening appetizers were pretty sad. Little meatballs and some potstickers.

If the other towers are really as bad as I've heard, the Alii Tower may be worth it - but I read somewhere that one of the towers was all-suites, which might be an even better upgrade if possible.

Bottom line - if it's ony HH points you'll be cashing in, that's one thing - but I wouldn't waste cash on this.