The Modern Honolulu

We'd read some questionable reviews but we need not have worried. The staff are really friendly and welcoming. Self parking is very conveniently located for accessing your room quickly and easily and very easy to get in and out, as well as a spot always being available. Hotel is well located a short distance from the main shopping and dining in Waikiki. It's also very close to the lagoon where the fireworks take place on a Friday. Rooms are clean, housekeeping is good and the beds really comfortable with good quality linen and very comfy pillows. A really good option for our first stay in Hawaii.

We’ve never quite experienced a Hilton like this one and we’ve stayed in numerous across the UK & Europe and are Honors members. We switched our 5 star, 3 bedroom lodge in the Highlands of Scotland for a week here (paying £175 for the “privilege”) and were extremely disappointed at the condition of the room and lack of amenities. We paid extra for a “side sea view” which was worth it. The room was a decent size with adequate hanging and shelved storage but was badly in need of refurbishment. We later established that there is a refurbishment program planned. There was a coffee machine and we received a kettle on request. However, there were no cups/mugs (only paper cups) and no crockery, cutlery or glasses, none of which could be provided, for some inexplicable reason, when asking the question and escalating to management. There was a microwave in the room but with none of the aforementioned, this was pointless. On top of our seven night “swap” we had booked two additional nights to fit in with our travel plans. On checkin, we were advised that we would get one housekeeping visit during our “swap” week and one on each of the two subsequent “paid” days. We requested that they spread the three visits evenly throughout our nine night stay but this seemed to be a major problem!! We asked to speak to a manager (JJ) and even he felt there would be great difficulty in achieving this but when we pressed the point, he said he would see what he could do. It did, in fact happen. Breakfast in the accommodation is again a bit odd. You order at the desk, then are given paper cups to help yourself at the coffee flask and plastic cups for fruit juice which you help yourself to from a fridge. The food is served to the table and this was good on the two occasions that we had breakfast in the “hotel”. Redeeming factors, were the very pleasant pool area and pool bar serving nice drinks and food. We always managed to get a lounger & umbrella and pool towels were plentiful. The staff generally were extremely pleasant, friendly and helpful. Zach on the Concierge Desk was absolutely wonderful - a true professional who is wasted in this establishment. Arlene, who serviced our room, was very good. Overall, we had a pleasant stay, but this experience has tarnished the Hilton brand in our minds so we will investigate client reviews very carefully next time before we consider staying with them elsewhere in the world.

I traveled for a couple of days in March. Bell staff and the front desk are very helpful (with suggested spots to go). I am a Gold Hilton member, which had no bearing / no perks every time we asked something, the response was "this is a time share". I tried unsuccessfully to say. "Isn't this a Hilton hotel?" Yes, "but it's a Timeshare and rules don't apply". It was very odd to be treated that way as I looked at the Hilton signs all over the Hotel. Others have commented below. Maybe they should remove the Hilton signs, call it that with No Hilton Benefits, and take it off the Hilton web page. The good: I liked the location if you want to be removed from Downtown Waikiki. 20 minute walk. The housekeeping staff was super friendly and flexible during cleaning room time. Unfortunately, there was a protest (wages?) at 400 p.m. for an hour that was super loud and cleared out the pool and outdoor seating. Hotel guests were notified the day it happened, so not much could be done about it, and they had to endure the noise.

Not right in the middle of Waikiki but close to Hilton lagoon which ended up being a great location for my plans. I was able to walk through Ala Moana park (watching sunrise) to Kewalo Harbor for a whale watching excursion, then stopped at Ala Moana mall for breakfast on my way back. Pick ups for my tours were at multiple locations a short walk from the hotel, if not at the hotel. As for the room, it was clean and spacious with a nice city view (high floor). When I had the room cleaned, it was done very nicely with my shoes lined up and my pjs folded on the bed. My favorite part was friendliness of staff, from keeping the scheduled lei making class even though I was the only one that day, to the concierge (Zack) helping me fabricate a box to bring home the lei I made. With refrigeration the lei lasted a week so I could put it on my husband grave stone to tell him I finished our 50 state journey.

We did a timeshare exchange. We were blessed. A great location. Close to everything in Waikiki. Spectacular views of the water. Solid amenities. Kind and efficient staff. It was a pleasantly grand vacation. Dr. B PS: I advocate for timeshares - this experience illustrates why - We traded a studio in Hyannis, MA summer season for a one bedroom in February - Our exchange total: $900 - then resort fees and HI taxes of $400 for a total of $1300. The unit we were assigned cost $3200-$3500 for the week].