The Modern Honolulu

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].

It was lovely. Perfect size. Breakfast restaurant had really delicious food and very quick. Servers around pool were efficient and friendly. Drinks were well made and food from pool side restaurant were so tasty. Housekeeping was efficient and responsive.

The list of things that are SO WRONG about this property are appalling. Hilton should be ashamed of itself for being associated with this place. What's baffling is that this is marketed as an upscale property. But in so many ways, the place felt run down, dated, poorly maintained and certainly not up to any remotely luxury standard. Any attractiveness to the property is superficial. Looks nice in the photos and some of the public spaces. But the rooms are really not nice at all. And this is definitely not somewhere you will want to stay for any length of time. It's not really meant for longer stays. Here is a list of notes I took while staying there for six nights: No ramp up to the lobby. Have to haul luggage up a flight of stairs between driveway and lobby. Thank goodness for doormen/ bellmen who hauled luggage up the flight of steps for us. There is a lift on the side of the driveway for those who can't negotiate stairs. Our room was five doors down from the elevator banks but can hear the sound of elevators whooshing up and down 24/ 7 Windows are not well insulated for noise – can hear outdoor sounds 24/ 7 Elevators have wall covers peeling No laundry facilities. The nearest place to do laundry is down the block and across the street. No umbrellas for guests – heaving rain/ flood warnings/ storm conditions on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Flooding in the open areas and no way for guests to not get completely soaked...unless you chose to stay indoors for most of the day. What hotel being marketed of this caliber doesn't provide umbrellas to guests?? Black out drapes only. Half of them off their hooks. We had maintenance come to re-install drapes off their hooks but they are so flimsy that a few days later it was back to the same condition. Cheap product and bad design. Strange configuration of window covers – a sliding louvered wood door/ panel so you never get 100% view out of the window. Window always at least 50% obscured by these doors Windows to a partial ocean view were absolutely filthy thus obscuring what little view you could get with louvered sliding doors obstructing 50% of the view at any given time. What is the point of having an "ocean view"? And don't be fooled -- the "ocean view" is in a very very few number of rooms and mostly only if you strain your neck to see a sliver of blue. Most of the rooms on both sides of the hotel (West facing AND East facing) are obstructed by other buildings that are quite close to you....so this means lousy views and limited privacy. Louvers on these wooden sliding doors were loose and incapable of being tightened. Probably from much use, they “relaxed” in semi-open position. Reported this as a maintenance issue. Maintenance staff said they came to address the problem but it wasn't fixed. Had to jerry-rig with a wad of paper to keep louvers in desired positions. Again, so stupid design so controlling light, privacy and enjoyment of the view was futile. Beds on abnormally low wooden platforms with sharp, exposed corners. No drawers in the room -- only open shelves Faucets in bathroom -- both sink and shower -- were extremely tight and difficult to adjust. Odd fixtures and not easy to operate. Broke a few fingernails in the process. This property is not really meant for long-term stays. The room amenities were cheap and minimal. Only disposable beverage containers. Some paper cups (for coffee or hot beverages) and plastic cups (for non-hot beverages). No utensils or dishware of any kind are provided. In a double room (two beds) but only one desk chair and one lounge chair – shouldn’t there be at least two chairs? Bathroom has limited privacy – there are louvered windows between bathroom and the main room. Light and noise seeps through Carpets stained No USB ports at bedside Six-night stay with only one night of housekeeping services offered No free breakfast for Hilton Honours guests. Only concession is 50% off SECOND breakfast entrée! Guest parking expires at 10 am even if we are not checking out. Drove in around 5.30 pm. Shouldn’t guest parking be 24 hours? Requested 24 hours and was told that the best they could do is until 1 pm. This is a rip off Well, you get the picture. It's not a very nice place to stay -- and most certainly not for the rates they are charging!