Aloha Fodorites,
By chance I checked the Hilton web site today thinking that I might add one day to a vacation I've already booked. Imagine my surprise when I saw this message:

"Please Note: This hotel will be undergoing property improvements from August 25th - December 19, 2005, which will include the Kona Pool, Public Spaces and some Guest Rooms."

I made my November reservations in January and perhaps they didn't know then that they would be working on the property in November, but that doesn't explain why they haven't informed me since then.

I called Hilton Hotels this morning (too early for a call to Hawaii) and they said that the pool would reopen November 9th. That was good news for my vacation, but I didn't quite trust it so I called the hotel itself later in the day. The bad news: closed all of November, reopening on November 30th.

I have all my plans made. Flights booked. Car rental arranged at a very good price. But now I'm not sure I want to stay at the Hilton without the Kona pool -- that's the best pool on the property and I would guess that the other pools will be very crowded as a result of its closing.

Partially I'm venting here....but I'm also letting everyone else know that the Waikoloa Hilton will be less than perfect for a few months.

Anyone have suggestions as to what I should do? Stay there anyway and swim in the lagoon and the other pools? Complain that they didn't tell me the pool would be closed? I'm staying for two weeks, you'd think they would want to treat me nicely and hope for my return business. The only other pools I'm aware of that are equally good would be the Hyatt Kauai, Hyatt Maui and the Grand Wailea.

Should I switch islands at a huge cost in terms of flight changes and the car rental not to mention the high price tags on those hotels?

All suggestions welcome....mahalo for listening.

CT Lady

I can sympathize with what you are going through. Last year we booked a Whistler hotel for Xmas far in advance and months later when I looked at the hotel web site, surprise, they sold the property to another chain and closed it for rennovations. Had to do some last minute scrambling which turned out fine.

You could check the Hapuna Prince Resort, they periodically run specials and those rates are not too bad, plus you wouldn't have to change your airfare/auto plans. It's a very nice hotel, and while the pool area is nothing like the Hilton, the beautiful sandy beach more than makes up for it, since the Waikoloa has none to speak of. Good luck, hope everything works out for you.

What awful news

Some people may have different opinions, but for me, that news would make me want to stay somewhere else. Laying by the pool is part of the fun on a Hawaiian vacation!

Do you have to switch islands? Could you stay at another Kohala resort? I don't know if I would pay the $$ to switch now. We have stayed at Hapuna (which we are returning to next month) and Marriott Waikoloa, which is also undergoing renovations. There are always great prices available for both of those resorts.

I saw that you have 2 weeks...maybe one week at one of the more elaborate pools on another island and one on the Kohala Coast?

We are staying at the Sheraton in Keauhou (BI) which has a fun heated pool for kids. Large slide, fountains, etc. and right on the ocean. I was able to get a deluxe ocean front room for only 225 a night.

Thanks for the head's up. We were also going to be visiting the Hilton in October. I called the hotel today and they told me the Kona pool would be closed from September 27th through December 19th. Our son is going to be very disappointed.

Thank you all for your responses which included some good ideas for me to consider.

I haven't decided what to do yet, but I think the advice to keep the dates exactly the same....so flights & car rental can stay in place....is the best thing to do.

I am disturbed though that three phone calls to Hilton (two from me and one from "showmetravel") have resulted in three different dates for the pool re-opening. I realize that they can't know for certain the exact date the pool will be ready, but the planned target date should not change twice within 24 hours.

I would cancel and rebook at the Hapuna. It is a much nicer hotel/pool/grounds and you are right on the beach...

If I were going for two weeks and spending a great deal of money, I would look elsewhere. If you were determined to sit by a pool, than I am sure there are nice pools at other resorts. Look around. If you have to change islands to get the resort you want, than it may be worth the interisland ticket change fee to enjoy your stay. Just be careful not pick another resort undergoing renovations!!