Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu

The art-filled lobby

The all-suite Grand Waikikian tower at the 3,000-room Hilton Hawaiian Village, strives to give guests the best of two worlds: quiet, luxurious condo living close by a full-service resort with restaurtants, pools, a luau, and fireworks. From the Hawaiian artifact-filled lobby to the friendly staff handing out leis at check-in to the modern rooms with soaking tubs and high-end kitchens, the hotel seems worlds away from the chaotic Hilton Hawaiin Village, even if it's only steps away.

While about half the rooms in the tower are used by time-share owners -- about 60 percent of whom are Japanese -- Hilton rents the rest to hotel guests. With the wider amenities and the beach of the Hilton just steps away and large units, the property is best suited to families who will make use of the full kitchens, washer/dryers, and apartment-style setups. Couples could have a quiet, luxurious time in a one-bedroom suite, but the minute they hit the soaring, Hawaiian artifact-filled lobby or take to the grounds, they'll need to watch for darting children. And nightlife options are minimal: The resort is virtually dead by 11 p.m. -- the popular luau runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- and because the property is on the western edge of Waikiki, most nightlife is about a 10-minute cab ride away. If nightlife is important, try the Outrigger Regency Beachwalk instead.

Bellmen are at the ready to transport guests.

The Grand Waikikian aims to combine the pampering services of a luxury hotel (a parking valet and bellhop desk, leis at check-in) with the hands-off privacy of a condominium (no turndown service, and no housekeeping number on the in-room phones.) Hotel guests do receive daily housekeeping service, but in general service needs to be sought out -- and isn't flawless. For instance, when housekeeping didn't replace the laundry detergent packet after I used it, I tried calling the front desk at 11 p.m. for more; no one had answered after 15 rings.

• 4 p.m. check-in is later than most Waikiki hotels, and 10 a.m. checkout is unusually early.
• Room service available from 6 a.m to 10 p.m.
• Lobby concierge desk arranges tours and activities, books tee times on island golf courses, and makes restaurant reservations.
• Drink service available at the Super Pool and Paradise Pool (but not on the beach, due to local law). But with the pools so crowded, servers can be scarce.

View on a Larger Map

The Grand Waikikian is located just off busy Ala Moana Boulevard near the Waikiki Marina. The tower is on the Western edge of the sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village complex, adjacent to the Lagoon Tower and the Rainbow Bazaar shops. The Ilikai Hotel is across the street. The tower is a five-minute walk from Hilton's man-made lagoon.

• Convenient to both Fort De Russy Beach and the man-made Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon
• A 20-minute walk from Waikiki's main drag, Kalakaua Avenue, a touristy milelong stretch of shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels
• The bus -- known, appropriately, as "The Bus" -- is a great way to get around Waikiki. Only $2.25 to go any distance.
• Honolulu International Airport is a 20-minute, $35 cab ride.

Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, steps from the lobby

Loosely speaking, the entire 1.5-mile stretch of sand alongside Kalakaua Avenue is known as Waikiki Beach. In reality, it's more like three separate beaches, the borders of which vary depending on whom you ask.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village and Grand Waikikian sit at the edge of a half-mile stretch of Waikiki's beautiful turquoise beach known as Fort DeRussy. Protected by a coral reef, this section is wider and calmer than the main beach, known as Queen's Beach. But the ocean bottom is a bit rocky, so tread gingerly. Unlike Queen's Beach, Hilton's beach tends to have more room for guests to spread out.

• Lifeguards monitor the beach all day.
• The beach offers activities galore, including surfing lessons (a steep $90; try nearby Prime Time Sports for better rates).
• The five-acre, five-foot-deep Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon, fresh from a $15-million restoration, is between the Grand Waikikian and the beach. It's a great place to paddle board, aqua cycle, or kayak.
• Chairs, umbrellas, surfboards and the like can be rented at one of four kiosks near the beach. Umbrellas are $30 a day, lounge chairs are about $15 a day.
• Boats leave from the resort's dock for the Atlantis Submarine, which dives down 100 feet to artificial reefs, a sunken airplane, and a sunken boat.

A suite's living room and kitchen

The 38-story, 331-room Grand Waikikian has the newest and arguably spiffiest condos in Waikiki. All the rooms are one- or two-bedroom suites with balconies, kitchens, dining and living areas, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and soaking tubs in the bathroom. One bedroom suites range from 719 to 839 square feet, two bedrooms from 1,068 to 1,209 square feet. And the beds -- either one king or two doubles in each bedroom -- are high end: Pillow-top mattresses, high-thread-count sheets, and six pillows make for luxurious slumbering.

• Décor is elegantly tropical and cheerful. Though suites are luxurious and comfortable, a few flaws prevented a perfect stay.
• Views vary widely; from a two-bedroom suite on the 32nd floor, it's spectacular, but the view from my one-bedroom suite on the 9th floor was blocked by the Hilton's neighboring Lagoon Tower.
• Great tech toys: two 37-inch flat-screen Philips plasma TVs with about 500 digital channels and tons of on-demand programming; a DVD player and surround-sound speakers; free Wi-Fi; and ipod docks
• Separate kitchens decked out with GE Profile appliances, including a full-size fridge, dishwasher, a rice cooker, a blender, a full complement of cooking implements and utensils
• Cozy dining areas, often with lovely views
• Marble bathrooms with separate walk-in shower and large soaking tub; the shower's hand-held nozzle is a disappointment compared to the rain showerheads at the Halekulani and Outrigger Regency Beachwalk.
• Bosch washers and dryers in each suite
• Toiletries are La Source by Crabtree & Evelyn.
• Electronic safe in closet
• Even one-bedroom suites can easily sleep four, since the living room has a sleeper sofa.

The large, modern gym

Guests at the Grand Waikikian have access to all of the amenities at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, including the fitness center and spa. They also get exclusive use of the tower's 8th-floor hospitality lounge, which has couches, flat-screen TVs aplenty, computers with free Wi-Fi, and showers. The tower's concierge staff will arrange golf outings to any course on the island, though guests most frequently play at the Hawaii Prince course because it runs a free shuttle that stops at the hotel twice a day. Green fees are $160; equipment rentals are available.

• Large fitness center on the 4th floor of the Kalia Tower has some 20 Precor cardio machines all with individual video screens, free weights, an assortment of weight machines, and exercise balls. Free for Grand Waikikian guests ($12 for Hilton Hawaiian Village)
• The Mandara Spa, located next to the fitness center, offers a premium Zen experience. It has 25 wet and dry treatment rooms, a full-service salon, and single-sex locker rooms with sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. $24-a-day fee for guests not getting treatments; $12 for Hilton HHonors members.
• The do-it-yourself business center is located in the Diamond Head Tower and offers copy and fax machines.
• Post office on the premises
• Almost 100 shops at the Tapa Tower Mall
• Self-parking in the resort's garage costs $24 a day. Valet parking is $30 a day.
• Hertz car rental counter on the ground floor of the Tapa Tower. Vehicles can be picked up at the hotel.
• The health clinic is affiliated with Honolulu's Queen's Medical Center and accepts many insurance plans.
• The cute Ocean Crystal Wedding Chapel hosts as many as five weddings a day.

The brand-new Paradise Pool

An impressive array of pools, including the largest in Waikiki, the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool.

• Super Pool overlooks the beach and has tons of lounge seating, food and drinks at the nearby Hau Tree Bar, tropical landscaping, and a shallow kids' area.
• Newly opened Paradise Pool is a two-tiered heated pool with four waterslides, three waterfalls, two Jacuzzis, great views of the lagoon and beach, lush landscaping, and plenty of shade -- but not enough lounge chairs.
• Kidney-shaped Kalia Pool, adjacent to the spa, is on the 4th floor of the Kalia Tower and offers views of the ocean, mountains, and city skyline.
• The Tapa Pool and Ali'i Pool are mostly for guests staying in those towers.
• Jacuzzi at every pool
• Unlimited towels available until 5 p.m.

Guests enjoying the Starlight Luau

The Grand Waikikian hosts free activities like hula dancing, lei making, and bingo from Monday to Friday. (Book early: I tried to sign up for a lei-making session three days in advance, but it had already reached its 15-person capacity.) The neighboring Hilton Hawaiian Village, meanwhile, has much more going on. The most notable attraction is the Starlight Luau, which packs in close to 500 hotel guests and others five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday. This popular luau is a fine choice for first-timers, and one of the few luaus in Waikiki proper, but the locale -- the roof of the Hilton's large conference center -- will disappoint those looking for a more classic beachside experience.

• The luau includes a buffet dinner, dance performances by Tihati Productions dance company, fire sword swallowers, and hip-shaking hula dancers. Tickets are $100 for adults, $50 for kids.
• Grand Waikikian guests can attend the Hilton Hawaiian Village's lessons in lei making, ukulele, and hula dancing Tuesdays through Fridays at the Shell Bar, near the main lobby.
• The Rockin' Hawaiian Rainbow Revue, a music and dance extravaganza that ends with a fireworks display, runs every Friday night. Tickets are $15.
• Local music legend Jerry Santos performs Friday and Saturday nights at the Tapa Bar.

The Grand Waikikian's lobby is filled with kids.

A fantastic option for families: Every suite can comfortably sleep four or more; every unit has a full kitchen, at least two flat-screen TVs, a DVD player, and Bosch washers and dryers; and the resort has tons of activities and amenities that will keep kids busy and happy.

• Five great pools (one with waterslides), plus a lagoon with calm water that's perfect for little ones.
• A 2,000-square-foot kids' club called Camp Penguin opened in September 2010 and offers full-and-half-day programs. With parental permission, children can leave the resort and participate on excursions to the zoo and museums in and around Honolulu. Those staying on the grounds participate in activities including Hawaiian crafts, seashell hunts, sandcastle building, swimming, and fishing. Full-day programs are about $95; half-days are about $60.
• Daily cultural activities like lei making, hula dancing, and ukulele lessons
• All restaurants have a wide selection of kid-friendly foods and a separate menu. Room service has a kids' menu.
• Cribs are available free of charge; no rollaway beds, but suites have sleeper sofas

With its carved wood friezes and Hawaiian artifacts, the airy lobby almost feels like a museum gallery. Hallways are clean and free of housekeeping carts. I noticed a few minor scuffs on the wall of my living room, but otherwise my suite was spotless. And the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village are generally spotless.

Island cocktails at Bali by the Sea

The Grand Waikikian does not have its own restaurant, but room service is available and guests are just a five-minute walk from the nearly 20 bars and restaurants at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where options range from fine dining with a view at Bali by the Sea and the theatricality of Benihana to quick sushi, noodles, and deli at the Rainbow Bazaar. (Grand Waikikian guests can charge meals to their rooms at all of these places.)

• The upscale Bali by the Sea is open only for dinner.
• Light options include Onolicious hot dogs by the Tapa Pool, and Hau Tree Beach Bar between the Super Pool and the beach.
• The new Tropics Bar and Grill, featuring 1950s-Hawaiian decor, serves three meals a day right on the beach.
• Skip the Rainbow Lanai buffet, which has average food, high prices, and big crowds. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes on a typical morning. $26; $14.50 for kids 12 and under
• Two Starbucks outlets in the Kalia and Ali'i Towers
• Room service available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.