Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village

The Hilton Grand Vacations Suites occupy two of the central towers within the broader 22-acre resort known as the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It's a self-contained resort designed to keep guests within the extensive grounds, which are home to penguins, turtles, and parrots. Paths wind through tropical gardens dotted by koi ponds, waterfalls, and palm trees covered in festive string lights. Outdoor activities abound, with kids and tour groups causing frequent lines at any given on-site attraction. There are plenty of shops as well as all manner of dining on-site, ranging from the casual to the more high-brow, but the vast grounds can often feel busy. Crowds gather throughout the evenings too, for live entertainment like the Starlight Luau and the popular Friday night fireworks. The Hilton Grand Vacation Suites operate as both timeshare units and standard hotel rentals. Expect to see all manner of guests here, from couples on honeymoons to families, groups of friends, and even the occasional business traveler.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village lies on the westernmost end of Waikiki, an area known more for its business hotels and shopping malls than its fabled sand and surf. The entrance to the resort is on Kalia Road. Central Waikiki is a 15-minute walk along Kalia Road, though some prefer the more scenic beach route. Guests have direct access to Fort De Russy Beach and the man-made Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon. It's a 15-minute walk to Kalakaua Avenue, central Waikiki's touristy mile-long stretch of shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels. Honolulu International Airport is about a 20-minute cab ride from the hotel.

The units are rentable as timeshares or standard hotel rooms at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites, and they comprise 346 of the more than 3,000 (and counting) room options at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Some units have older neutral decor with yellow and brown tones, while others have a more updated contemporary style with dark wood furnishings. All are located either in the Lagoon Tower or Kalia Tower (floors 12 to 18), with mountain or ocean views, though many simply face other towers. Most Studio rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Video game systems, 27-inch flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks also come standard. The bathrooms have average shower/tub combos, spacious granite vanities, and high-end toiletries. One- and two- bedroom suites have furnished balconies with views of the mountains, garden, or ocean. Suites add full kitchens with refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and ovens with electric stovetops, as well as dishware and utensils. These larger units also have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and living rooms with sofa beds. The Lagoon One-Bedroom Standard View King Suite that we visited had plenty of homey comfort, with a plush sofa bed and chairs alongside colorful wall art. 

The Hilton Hawaiian Village sits on a half-mile stretch of Waikiki's Fort DeRussy beach as well as the sheltered Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon (separated from the open ocean by a wide band of white sand with a boardwalk running across it). Water sports include surfing lessons, paddleboarding, and kayaking -- equipment, as well as chairs and umbrellas, is available for rent from several kiosks near the beach. There are also six different pools, including the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool -- the largest in Waikiki, with a huge sundeck filled with lounge chairs and a shallow kids' area. Paradise Pool is a two-tiered heated pool brimming with waterfalls and four waterslides, and accompanied by two whirlpools. The four other smaller pools are attached to different towers across the property (exclusive access may apply). 

Located on the fourth floor of the Kalia Tower, the Mandara Spa has wet and dry treatment rooms, a full-service salon, and separate locker rooms for men and women with saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Its adjacent fitness center has modern cardio machines with video screens, weight-training machines, and free weights. Parents can drop kids off at Camp Penguin in the Diamond Head Tower for full or half-day supervised activities (for a fee) that include games, hula and lei-making classes, and off-site excursions to the Honolulu Zoo.

There are nearly 90 shops and boutiques at the Tapa Tower Mall, along with 20 different bars and restaurants spread throughout the resort. Chain outlets range from Benihana's hibachi-style fare to fast fix options like Starbucks. Dress codes apply at the fine-dining Bali Steak & Seafood, which is only open for dinner, while the casual Tropics Bar & Grill serves Hawaiian beach cuisine on an outdoor terrace. Food is pricey, however, and gets mixed reviews. One of the entertainment highlights is the Hilton's Waikiki Starlight Luau, which includes a traditional buffet dinner set to Hawaiian music and Polynesian chanting, with fire shows and hula dancers. Fireworks go off every week.