Please give me a little help. I am looking at spending 5 nights at the JW Marriott on Oahu - then 3 nights at either the HHV or the Halekulani. I was sure we wanted the HHV so that my 14yr old son could have a couple of days with good pools - but now we might change to a couple of days of pampering at the Halekulani. Is the Halekulani in a good place for walking the main part of Waikiki? Or should we look at the Sheraton Moana? Thanks for your help.

Any of the three are great hotels. All are right on the beach.

All three are in good locations and it doesn't make a lot of difference for walking the main part of Waikiki. There are restaurants & shopping throughout the strip.

Here's a site that shows the hotels. The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and International Market Place are generally considered the center of Waikiki. So the Sheraton Moana and Halekulani are more centrally located. But, not so much that I would choose either one of them over HHV for that reason.

http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/oahu_waikiki.html

We stayed at the Halekulani hotel a long time ago(about 12 years). It is a lovely hotel with great history located in area with easy access to lots of things. My daughter (now 13) was a one year old and we walked with the stroller to shops, hotels, a zoo.
We are going back in the spring and we are staying at the HHV because I think it has more action for the kids. (Now 13 and 11). We had dinner there 12 years ago and there was so much going on, I remember saying that if we ever came back the HHV was the place to stay with kids.
The Halekulani's beach is very small. There is a pool. I don't remember kids being there at all. We were there in early Dec.
The HHV has a huge beach with several pools and it seems like the place is hopping. It will not have the high level of personal service at HHV that the Halekulani would offer though. If I were going without kids, I would like to return to the Halekulani.
I haven't been in a while, and I see Dusty has given his good advice. This is just my 2 cents and why I am choosing one place over the other.

The Moana Surfrider and Halekulani have excellent, extremely central Waikiki locations. They are fairly close to each other, and to the beach, and for walking around the main part of town.

I'm guessing the pools at HHV are much larger and the hotel and grounds more traditionally "resort" like. But not as convenient to central Waikiki.

The actualswimming pools at HIlton Hawaiian Vilage, while the best of the Waikiki the beachside hotels, are NOT particularly special . The landscapring around them (with geese in water,etc) is lovely.. I wouldn't want you to make a decision about where to stay , with you and your son expecting some fantastic pools (such as the one at the Kauai Hyatt or Hilton BIg Island or Marriott Kauai) and be disappointed.

I love being in a hotel where you can walk direcyly onto the beach.
Halekulanit is down the street from the main drag in Waikiki (Kalakaua).
The Sheraton Moana is both on the beach and (on one side) and directly on Kalakaua(on the other).
Have you considered the flagship Outrfgger on the Beach? it's right next to the Moana.
The beach at the Halekulani/Outrigger Reef (a differnt Outrigger) end is not as good, more small rocks in the water. Definitely swimmable, but not as good as the central part of Waikiki beach which fronts the Outrigger (the one with Duke's in it) and theSheraton Maoana Surfrider.
Persohally I'd choose (and have chosen) the Sheraton Moana Surfirder and OUtrigger on the Beach when I'm with my teenager and her friends.

Calinurse - Thank you! That is the kind of info I really needed. I think I will rule out the HHV.
Jenn

In March, I stayed at the Outigger Waikiki (that's the same one that CaliNurse referred to), and had a dinner at both the Halekulani and the HHV. I regretted that I didn't book the Halekulani. It far exceeds the Outrigger Waikiki in terms of ambience, common areas, and service. It is truly an oasis in the middle of Waikiki. That being said, it is very quiet, the beach area isn't the best, and the pool is pretty simple. The HHV, on the other hand, seems very family friendly - big grounds, lots of dining and entertainment option - lots of kids around. My meal there was disappointing - actually the only meal in Hawaii that was just okay - all the other dinners I had were very good.

(BTW - although I didn't stay or eat at the Sheraton Moana, I did walk the grounds and thought it was a very beautiful hotel).

I'll cast my vote for the Outrigger next to the Moana: good-sized rooms, family-friendly eating facilities, including a buffet and coffee shop, and a laundry room.

Thanks Jenn; glad to offer help--we are all here for that, to share our experiences and opinions. Also, apologies for typos.
I've eaten (tho' not stayed) at Halekulani and it IS indeed beautiful and special. But I suspect a 14 yr old would feel more comfortable in a different hotel. My teen and her friend were fine at dinner there (Thanksgiving last yr) and beverages/drinks after at House Without a Key sitting on th lawn with music and hula--but they were just about the only teens or kids there!!! But there's no doubt YOU would have the ultimate peacerful pampered feeling at Halekulani.
You can easily walk ALONG Waikiki Beach from one part to another. From Halekulani it is only a ten minute walk past the Sheraton Main (the very tall hotel) and Royal Hawaiian (the "Pink Palace") to the Outrigger Waikiki then Sheraton Moana Surfrider, which is the last directly-ON-the beach hotel in central Waikiki
Wherever you stay, DON'T miss taking this walk in the evering with the gas tiki torches lit along the beach, sounds of music and views of hula from the hotels, and the breezes off the ocean. BLISS!!!
In the other direction, you can stroll along the beachside walkway which borders the beach, past the hedges of Hale Koa ((i don't think you can walk righto n to the property anymore without proper ID) and then, a few minutes later, into the lovely grounds of HHV. If you are in Waikiki on a Friday night there are two (free) fun things to consider: the show and fireworks at HHV , or the marriage renewal vows outdooors in the beautiful courtyard at Sheraton Moana Surfrider. You dont have to be a hotel guest at either to do these.
Aloha, and haved a great time.

I'd have to agree with CaliNurse that there seemed to be very few children at the Halekulani was there. It is more of a romantic getaway than a family destination. The Outrigger Waikiki is a good hotel - the two main things it has going for it is the location -right on the beach and in the middle of Waikiki - and the rooms are fairly large and well-appoionted. I do think, though, that if you stayed at the JW Marriott and are now considering the Halekulani or the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, you may be somewhat disappointed in the Outrigger - it does lack the luxury component of the other ones.

I thank you all for your help. We have booked 3 nights at the Halekulani
in an Ocean Front room. I really appreciate your concerns for my son. But he is an only child that has stayed at some very nice places over the years. I think he will do just fine. He is looking forward to a new type of Hawaii this year - far different from the Big Island, Kauai or Maui. - Thanks!

Good choice. It will be so relaxing and soothing to retreat to your hotel after the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.

Did you give up on the Maui idea?

Here is a thread with lots of Oahu ideas.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34652188