Perfect for a vacation with kids in Hawaii: review Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki

Who hasn't dreamed of going to Hawaii, raise your hand.

Without knowing the name of the islands, how to get there or where to sleep, the only name everyone knows is that of Waikiki Beach. A paradise for surfers from around the world and the tourist heart of Ohanu, the third largest island in the archipelago, after Hawaii and Maui.

In this scenario Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki is a historic property, dozens of films were shot here, Elvis Presley stayed here for months, especially is the largest hotel complex in the entire state.

Composed of a total of 8 buildings over 30 stories high, when operational at 100%.Inside it has 2800 rooms

Not only Presley , virtually everyone from Michel Jackson to Margaret Tacher, U.S. presidents and VIPs of all kinds have passed through here.

Reservation

As an elite Hilton user, I should always book through the official website or app, because only then do you get the benefits provided by the status. In my case, being Diamond: extra points, possibility of upgrades and credit to spend in hotel restaurants.

This time, however, I took advantage of the possibility of booking through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program the reason is simple: when you book with FHR, you don't lose status benefits, you accumulate points, and most importantly you get the many benefits of the FHR program.

The cost between direct booking and booking through the Amex portal was identical, but what makes the difference are the benefits that the FHR program brings:

• Early check-in (when available)
• Late check-out at 4 p.m. guaranteed
• Room Upgrade
• Free breakfast
• 100$ to spend in hotel

Then there are many small benefits that vary from hotel to hotel, but only those listed above are worth over 350$ for a one-night stay for two people .

Example. The hotel sells late check-out at 6 p.m. instead of 12 p.m. at 175$ (+tax), in which case it is free until 4 p.m., so I would say that this benefit alone is worth at least 150$.

Unfortunately as in Las Vegas, and in Caribbean resorts, there is a resort fee and here it is as much as 50$, discounted to 45$ if you are enrolled in the Hilton Honors loyalty program. The only way to avoid it would be to book with points, but this was not the case for me. As always, hotels justify this gabuse with services that, for the price you pay, would be logical to have included:

• Wi-Fi
• Cultural experiences (the resort tour, the history of the resort, of Hawaii...)
• Daily fitness classes
• Outdoor movies
• Use of DVDs/games
• 20% off Adventure Sail on the Spirit of Aloha catamaran
• Discount of 20% on elite beach package (1 umbrella, 2 padded chaise lounges and other services)
• Waikiki Aquarium Offer
• Urban calls/toll-free number
• Discount on two-day car rental or upgrade
• 10% discount on beach activities/services

All the stuff that in 90% of cases will not be used, but there is nothing you can do about it except avoid hotels that charge it. Also important to remember that this is paid at check-out anyway, no matter what channel you used to book your stay.

This facility also houses a Hilton Grand Vacations, which are shared properties where the owners Can go and enjoy their timeshare subscription, or make it available to other guests. Just for attending their presentation I put 40,000 Hilton Honors points in my pocket.

Check-in

When I arrived I felt like I was in Gardaland at the line for the Blue Tornado, there was an endless queue in the three different check-in lanes.

The general one obviously was the longest, then there was the one for Silver users, the lowest level in the Hilton Honors program and about ten people in the one for clients with Gold level or higher.

An attendant approached me and asked for my last name; in the list he had in his hand I was one of about 4/5 names in bold with the initials FHR. He smiled and told me that for those booking FH+R there is a dedicated lounge in a separate area of the resort and then escorted me to the door of the Ali Tower, one of the towers in the complex.

Here the concierge greeted me and escorted me to the check-in desk. The attendant, after thanking me for being both Diamond and FHR, suggested that I wait to get an upgrade to an even better room than the one I had been pre-assigned. Of course, I was happy to walk around the resort waiting for the room to be ready.

I finally entered the room a few minutes after 2 p.m. The room was located on the ninth floor of the tower dedicated to elite customers, with access also to a dedicated swimming pool for tower guests only.

Benefit + Benefit

The list of benefits is really long, and the great thing is that they add up to each other: I ended up with a 40$ credit for breakfast to which I added $18 for status and 100$ thanks to FHR.

The room

The room goes from basic, in one of the standard towers, to premium in the tower reserved for Elite customers, it is not clear to me whether Platinum clients are all housed in this area or whether it is instead dedicated only to FHR clients and the like.

What is certain is that it is a large room, with a view of the resort's main pool and Waikiki Beach. There is also a comfortable desk for working if you must. The amenities are what you would expect from these facilities, king bed with topper and a sofa where you can watch the mega TV.

There is a balcony with chairs where you can relax while watching the sunset light. Let's say the room has its years, but it wears them well.

There is even a PS4, the first time I find a console in the room.

The bathroom large but not huge and there is a tub/shower, nothing exciting.

The plus is definitely the view; the rest could use a refresh.

Exclusive services

Being in the Ali'I tower brings additional benefits.

You have access to a restricted area (you need a card to open the door) with a swimming pool and solarium for your exclusive use.

There is also a small gym with Pelton bikes and other equipment, ideal for not having to go to the fitness area open to all other guests.

And there is also a dedicated bar, which is much less crowded than all the other dining outlets in the resort.

Finally, there is a lounge where you can work, meet with clients, and/or relax away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the resort.

Food & Beverage

Like all resorts, it offers a variety of solutions, and of course being in America, alcohol is flowing freely at all hours of the day and night.

The two main restaurants in the morning also offer breakfast, which is a la carte. However, if you are Hilton elite members, you get 18$ credit to use as you like, for breakfast, dinner or a drink.

In my case I was able to take advantage of one of the benefits of FH+R reservations, which is free breakfast. Actually it is not exactly free, it is a 40$ credit per person to be used at breakfast. With that amount you can easily have an Italian breakfast or eat one of the fuller dishes.

One morning I had a classic Steaks & Eggs, with baked potatoes added. and an orange juice by spending 6$, over the voucher budget. Little bad because thanks to my Hilton status I had also gotten the 18$ credit per day. Good, but nothing special.

Instead, the next morning I had a sweet dish of waffles, strawberries and blueberries. Again, nothing striking.

Then there are bars in all pools themed on various proposals.

For example, I tried Tapa's Bar, which offers pizza or burgers. Ihe sandwich and "waffle fries" are nothing special. Or maybe they are in the price: a whopping 32$, including beer. Again, I ended up spending nothing because the cost is covered by the 100$ to be spent at the hotel. Also interesting is the fact that the credit also covers expenses at Starbucks, great for drinking a decent cappuccino.

The resort

As mentioned the facility is huge, inside there are two starbucks, 5 restaurants of various kinds, dozens of boutiques of all kinds and even a Louis Vuitton flagship store, a spa and many swimming pools. A 4d cinema and probably many other things that I didn't get to discover in my stay.

There is a movie theater and an arcade, so you won't be bored in bad weather.

If you want to get married in Hawaii, you can use the resort's private chapel, a two-story early twentieth-century cottage, recently renovated and used for these ceremonies, right in the center of the resort. Surrounded by palm trees and green lawn.

The resort fee includes the ability to rent free DVDs and playstation games from dispensers scattered around the resort.

There are all kinds of pools; there is even a small water park with slides and water games. Sunbeds are free, and as on a cruise you need to wake up early in the morning to grab the best seats.

Then there is a lagoon, a huge artificial sea pool created right in the middle of the sea. All kinds of activities are done here: from a diving school to huge floating bikes.

Of course then there is the beach, which is not private, but beds and umbrellas are rented (at great expense).

It is a resort at 100%, but it is in the heart of Waikiki, walking to the main street, sort of like Rodeo Drive, but bigger. Impossible to get bored especially if there are also children in tow.

In conclusion

Would I go back there? Probably with my daughter, yes. It is absolutely suitable for spending a vacation with children since you can do everything without even leaving the resort, or use it as a base for various excursions all over the island. Without children probably I would go to the Pink Palace, which is the Royal Hawaiian not far away and definitely smaller and suitable for a different vacation.

This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site. Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.

• fine hotels + resorts