Hilton Hawaiian Village: Several Questions
Jan 1st, 2002, 02:41 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hilton Hawaiian Village: Several Questions
Some Questions About the HHV:
1. Did anyone see the recent NY Times piece on it, entitled 'Stretching Out In Waikiki'?
(Dec. 23, '01)
What do you think of it?
(Now only available for a fee: $2.50 or less if buying other articles from the archives:
1st two paragraphs free at:
http://query.nytimes.com/search/abstract?res=F30616FD3C5A0C708EDDAB0994D9404482)
2. The author of the above piece claims that despite it's size, the HHV has a feeling of seclusion and serenity due to it's design. Comments?
2.5. How is the noise level in the rooms? At night? During the day? Were you able to sleep late or take a nap comfortably? By what time at night does it get as quiet as it's gonna get?
3. How is the new Lagoon Tower? Are they going to sell all of it as timeshares or will they retain some units to rent-out?
4. Has anyone ever swam in the lagoon? What is it like? Am I correct in assuming that it consists of water from the ocean? Is the water ever changed or filtered? (Remember that unlike ocean water, it's stagnant.)
5. Is it a pain to go in and out of your room often because of lobby crowds and/or having to present I.D. each time?
6. Anyone have any url's for some good pictures of the resort grounds? The signature pictures of the Rainbow tower and lagoon are ubiquitous but why haven't I seen any of the exotic birds and penguins that they boast of having? (The pictures on the Hilton website are very limited)
Thank you very much.
1. Did anyone see the recent NY Times piece on it, entitled 'Stretching Out In Waikiki'?
(Dec. 23, '01)
What do you think of it?
(Now only available for a fee: $2.50 or less if buying other articles from the archives:
1st two paragraphs free at:
http://query.nytimes.com/search/abstract?res=F30616FD3C5A0C708EDDAB0994D9404482)
2. The author of the above piece claims that despite it's size, the HHV has a feeling of seclusion and serenity due to it's design. Comments?
2.5. How is the noise level in the rooms? At night? During the day? Were you able to sleep late or take a nap comfortably? By what time at night does it get as quiet as it's gonna get?
3. How is the new Lagoon Tower? Are they going to sell all of it as timeshares or will they retain some units to rent-out?
4. Has anyone ever swam in the lagoon? What is it like? Am I correct in assuming that it consists of water from the ocean? Is the water ever changed or filtered? (Remember that unlike ocean water, it's stagnant.)
5. Is it a pain to go in and out of your room often because of lobby crowds and/or having to present I.D. each time?
6. Anyone have any url's for some good pictures of the resort grounds? The signature pictures of the Rainbow tower and lagoon are ubiquitous but why haven't I seen any of the exotic birds and penguins that they boast of having? (The pictures on the Hilton website are very limited)
Thank you very much.
Jan 1st, 2002, 02:20 PM
#2
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Posts: n/a
(1. Did anyone see the recent NY Times piece on it, entitled 'Stretching Out In Waikiki'?)
I didn't see the article but I've been on the HHV property many times.
(2. The author of the above piece claims that despite it's size, the HHV has a feeling of seclusion and serenity due to it's design. Comments?)
The inner portion is secluded and peaceful, with ponds, little waterfalls, wildlife, etc. Of course, it's not that peaceful when crowded!
(2.5. How is the noise level in the rooms? At night? During the day? Were you able to sleep late or take a nap comfortably? By what time at night does it get as quiet as it's gonna get?)
I'd say it depends which way your room is facing. Friends of mine once had a small room that faced the street (a so called "mauka" or mountain view) that got a lot of street noise until about 2 AM. It's pretty quiet everywhere after that. If you have a room facing the water or "inner" area of the hotel, I doubt noise would be a problem.
(3. How is the new Lagoon Tower? Are they going to sell all of it as timeshares or will they retain some units to rent-out?)
Supposedly the Lagoon Tower has some of the nicest rooms in the complex. I think they'll sell all the timeshares they can and then retain renting rights for the rest. (I went to a timeshare presentation and it was SUPER high pressure!)
(4. Has anyone ever swam in the lagoon? What is it like? Am I correct in assuming that it consists of water from the ocean? Is the water ever changed or filtered? (Remember that unlike ocean water, it's stagnant.)
I would not swim in that lagoon, just based on standing at the edge and looking in. I don't know if they filter it but I wouldn't go in it regardless. There's a lovely beach a few feet away!
(5. Is it a pain to go in and out of your room often because of lobby crowds and/or having to present I.D. each time?)
The property is huge so there's not really a centralized lobby at all. I've visited there several times and never been asked for an ID.
(6. Anyone have any url's for some good pictures of the resort grounds? The signature pictures of the Rainbow tower and lagoon are ubiquitous but why haven't I seen any of the exotic birds and penguins that they boast of having? (The pictures on the Hilton website are very limited)
I don't have any URL's for you but can tell you there ARE numerous birds in and out of the water on the property, including penguins the last time I was there.
WOULD I STAY THERE? Only if I couldn't get a room at the Hale Koa Hotel next door (run by the US Army), had small children with me, or could get a price less than anywhere else west of the Halekulani Hotel. My first choice would be the Halekulani. I don't care for the beaches east of there, in front of the Royal Hawaiian and Ala Moana.
I didn't see the article but I've been on the HHV property many times.
(2. The author of the above piece claims that despite it's size, the HHV has a feeling of seclusion and serenity due to it's design. Comments?)
The inner portion is secluded and peaceful, with ponds, little waterfalls, wildlife, etc. Of course, it's not that peaceful when crowded!
(2.5. How is the noise level in the rooms? At night? During the day? Were you able to sleep late or take a nap comfortably? By what time at night does it get as quiet as it's gonna get?)
I'd say it depends which way your room is facing. Friends of mine once had a small room that faced the street (a so called "mauka" or mountain view) that got a lot of street noise until about 2 AM. It's pretty quiet everywhere after that. If you have a room facing the water or "inner" area of the hotel, I doubt noise would be a problem.
(3. How is the new Lagoon Tower? Are they going to sell all of it as timeshares or will they retain some units to rent-out?)
Supposedly the Lagoon Tower has some of the nicest rooms in the complex. I think they'll sell all the timeshares they can and then retain renting rights for the rest. (I went to a timeshare presentation and it was SUPER high pressure!)
(4. Has anyone ever swam in the lagoon? What is it like? Am I correct in assuming that it consists of water from the ocean? Is the water ever changed or filtered? (Remember that unlike ocean water, it's stagnant.)
I would not swim in that lagoon, just based on standing at the edge and looking in. I don't know if they filter it but I wouldn't go in it regardless. There's a lovely beach a few feet away!
(5. Is it a pain to go in and out of your room often because of lobby crowds and/or having to present I.D. each time?)
The property is huge so there's not really a centralized lobby at all. I've visited there several times and never been asked for an ID.
(6. Anyone have any url's for some good pictures of the resort grounds? The signature pictures of the Rainbow tower and lagoon are ubiquitous but why haven't I seen any of the exotic birds and penguins that they boast of having? (The pictures on the Hilton website are very limited)
I don't have any URL's for you but can tell you there ARE numerous birds in and out of the water on the property, including penguins the last time I was there.
WOULD I STAY THERE? Only if I couldn't get a room at the Hale Koa Hotel next door (run by the US Army), had small children with me, or could get a price less than anywhere else west of the Halekulani Hotel. My first choice would be the Halekulani. I don't care for the beaches east of there, in front of the Royal Hawaiian and Ala Moana.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 11:07 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thank you very much Celeste.
Re:Crowds and Noise:
1. Sounds like it would be a good idea to try to find-out if there will be any conventions or large events there during the dates one is interested in and perhaps avoid high-season (or at least peak periods) alltogether if one really doesn't want it too noisy and crowded. (I saw someonw else here say that it's a 'zoo' when fully-booked)
Is all of Jan-March generally out then, as per above?
2. What about a room that faced the street but was on a high-floor?
Re:
Lagoon Tower:
Do I recall correctly that there are no lanais in that tower?!
Re: Security Procedures:
Any comments on the following quotes from their website?:
_________Begin Quoted Text_______
Based on this superior reputation, many heads of state, presidents, dignitaries and celebrities have continuously selected the Hilton Hawaiian Village as their safe haven away from home.
Every Team Member at our resort is trained in safety and security. They are the additional "eyes and ears" that support our uniformed safety and security officers. Our uniformed officers are trained in CPR, First Aid, Lodging Security Officer, and are our first response team in any issue 24 hours a day.
Safety & Security features include the following:
Uniformed security officers on duty 24 hours every day
Dead bolts, security chains, and automatic door closers in all guest rooms
Electronic door locking system
Fire sprinklers
180-degree door viewers in guest room doors
In-room safes (at nominal fee)
Smoke detectors
_________End QUoted Text_____________
From:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/facilities.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH#5
RE: Penguins, exotic birds and pictures of grounds:
A few small pics I found on the Hilton website, including two of the penguins:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/facilities.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH#5
The 'Photo Gallery' is a joke!: One tiny picture that highlights the rainbow tower.
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH
I would think that penguins would be terribly uncomfortable in a warm climate. Do they have ice or air-conditioned cages for them?
Re: Your preferences:
What about the other end of Waikiki, where the New Otani is? I've see people on this forum rave about San Souci beach.
Thanks again.
Re:Crowds and Noise:
1. Sounds like it would be a good idea to try to find-out if there will be any conventions or large events there during the dates one is interested in and perhaps avoid high-season (or at least peak periods) alltogether if one really doesn't want it too noisy and crowded. (I saw someonw else here say that it's a 'zoo' when fully-booked)
Is all of Jan-March generally out then, as per above?
2. What about a room that faced the street but was on a high-floor?
Re:
Lagoon Tower:
Do I recall correctly that there are no lanais in that tower?!
Re: Security Procedures:
Any comments on the following quotes from their website?:
_________Begin Quoted Text_______
Based on this superior reputation, many heads of state, presidents, dignitaries and celebrities have continuously selected the Hilton Hawaiian Village as their safe haven away from home.
Every Team Member at our resort is trained in safety and security. They are the additional "eyes and ears" that support our uniformed safety and security officers. Our uniformed officers are trained in CPR, First Aid, Lodging Security Officer, and are our first response team in any issue 24 hours a day.
Safety & Security features include the following:
Uniformed security officers on duty 24 hours every day
Dead bolts, security chains, and automatic door closers in all guest rooms
Electronic door locking system
Fire sprinklers
180-degree door viewers in guest room doors
In-room safes (at nominal fee)
Smoke detectors
_________End QUoted Text_____________
From:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/facilities.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH#5
RE: Penguins, exotic birds and pictures of grounds:
A few small pics I found on the Hilton website, including two of the penguins:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/facilities.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH#5
The 'Photo Gallery' is a joke!: One tiny picture that highlights the rainbow tower.
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml?ctyhocn=HNLHVHH
I would think that penguins would be terribly uncomfortable in a warm climate. Do they have ice or air-conditioned cages for them?
Re: Your preferences:
What about the other end of Waikiki, where the New Otani is? I've see people on this forum rave about San Souci beach.
Thanks again.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 08:27 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just got back fom a stay at Lagoon Tower. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. Never had a doorbell in my room before! Never heard any noise from neighboring units.We had a lanai that overlooked both the ocean side and Diamond Head.The Lagoon did not look that inviting as the beach is much nicer. I did see someone windsailing in it for a few minutes.The lobby was not crowded. There are several people working as concierge in the central open air information area. Waiting is not a problem. It is more crowded closer to the main Rainbow Tower area.The penguins are pretty cute, but I would much rather stay at The Outrigger. We really enjoy the water... and hiking down all those floors and around the Lagoon to get to the beach just takes away the spontanaity of going to the beach.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 08:46 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
the HHV is only 25 % occupied at the moment, so it is really quite nice. Many of the towers are closed though, so it isn't lonely and deserted, just compacted. The HHV is like a mega resort...each tower is the equal of any other hotel on the beach in Waikiki. The nice thing at HHV though, is that when you leave your tower to stroll or shop, you are still on the grounds of the hotel, and they have quite a variety of non- Hilton shops and restaraunts.
The lagoon is definitely not for swimming, but a great swimming beach
is steps away in one direction and a popular surf spot is on the other side.
The swans, birds and penquins (they are tropical penquins, not all live on icebergs!)are fun to watch and there is a lot of outdoor music and entertainment that you can enjoy for free. It is really a great choice if you have kids or elderly. For my out of town friends I prefer hotels at the kapiolani park end of Waikiki- the New Ohtani is right on the beach in the park, so it is more quiet and easier to get to.
Have fun whereever you stay, and don't forget to drive out to the rest of the island. Oahu has some gorgeous beaches and scenery, and Bishop museum and Pearl Harbor as well.
The lagoon is definitely not for swimming, but a great swimming beach
is steps away in one direction and a popular surf spot is on the other side.
The swans, birds and penquins (they are tropical penquins, not all live on icebergs!)are fun to watch and there is a lot of outdoor music and entertainment that you can enjoy for free. It is really a great choice if you have kids or elderly. For my out of town friends I prefer hotels at the kapiolani park end of Waikiki- the New Ohtani is right on the beach in the park, so it is more quiet and easier to get to.
Have fun whereever you stay, and don't forget to drive out to the rest of the island. Oahu has some gorgeous beaches and scenery, and Bishop museum and Pearl Harbor as well.
