What's it like at the Hilton Hawaiian Village now?

[jestme]

What floor are you on? They should not move you given risk of exposure in hallways, elevators and rooms. If there are elderly, immuno-compromised near they could be at risk.

It is also possible to test negative because it is too early. Please take precautions and quarantine as well until you know for sure. Take care.

Floor is irrelevant. FYI: We are both very close to 70. I am aware of the needed precautions.
Testing negative is still MUCH better than testing positive.

 

[jestme]

Updates:
Spoke to front desk. Manager followed up with me. We will be staying in this room until we leave.
Wife still has no symptoms. Feels fine, except for nerves.

 

[frank808]

Updates:
Spoke to front desk. Manager followed up with me. We will be staying in this room until we leave.
Wife still has no symptoms. Feels fine, except for nerves.

Great news and take care.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[csodjd]

Updates:
Spoke to front desk. Manager followed up with me. We will be staying in this room until we leave.
Wife still has no symptoms. Feels fine, except for nerves.

No reason to be nervous. If vaccinated and boosted, she’s experiencing exactly what she should experience - nothing. It is pretty well established that the vaccines are not highly effective at preventing infection, but are highly effective at preventing Illness.

 

[pedro47]

Is the resort testing employees, vendors and guest around that timeshare area?

 

[Shmiddy]

Well - we were in Honolulu for a week. I was there for business, so stayed in hotel for that portion M-F, on company dime. Multiple meetings, everyone masked up. Wife came along and we carried over the weekend on our dime and moved to Hawaiian Village. Both vaxxed and boosted. I started feeling a sore throat Friday night and thought it was because the room A/C was blowing right on me all week, no other symptoms (no loss of smell or taste, no fever or headache). By Sunday I was back to normal. Got home Monday night and tested, because my wife was going to travel and see our son, DIL and new granddaughter. I tested positive - her negative, still no major symptoms. On Friday, she tested again and was positive - SH*T - cancel trip. She has the sniffles, that's it.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Updates:
Spoke to front desk. Manager followed up with me. We will be staying in this room until we leave.
Wife still has no symptoms. Feels fine, except for nerves.

Great. That is the Hilton customer service and the Hawaiian Aloha that I would have expected. They ALWAYS try to keep you in the same room and with the virus it is even more important to do that. If they were 100% full in your building I could see a problem for them, but I know that can't be true this year with the lower number of tourists than usual particular from Japan.

 

[alwysonvac]

@jestme and @Shmiddy

Thanks for sharing your recent experience. Sorry to hear about the positive test results. But I’m glad both families are vaxxed and boosted and not dealing with any major symptoms.

Take Care and Be well.

 

[GT75]

@jestme and @Shmiddy

I also agree with @alwysonvac but wanted to add that I am glad that HHV has a plan if someone, unfortunately, does tests positive. We will be traveling to Fiesta Americana - Cabo next month and they also have a plan. If they didn't, I don't think that we would travel at this time.

 

[csodjd]

@jestme and @Shmiddy

I also agree with @alwysonvac but wanted to add that I am glad that HHV has a plan if someone, unfortunately, does tests positive. We will be traveling to Fiesta Americana - Cabo next month and they also have a plan. If they didn't, I don't think that we would travel at this time.

I have a very extensive vacation starting June 1 for almost six weeks in Europe. Hoping covid will be a memory by then, but I've been researching insurance products and have settled on one by John Hancock. Main concern is covering expenses in the event one of us tests positive and must stay in some country, or in the unlikely event one of us gets sick and needs to get back to the US. Under $600 for the two of us. It is good that the hotels have plans in place... but even better if the traveler ALSO has a plan in place!

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We returned recently from a great stay at Lagoon Tower. Overall a wonderful visit. Thanks everyone for the updates:

Resort is a bit quieter and International travelers have not yet returned. Waikiki still busy. Boardwalk on beach is busy so wear masks.

re: Whale watching.
* none from Lagoon Tower - everyone was right about the shipping channels
* We saw whales from the North shore. They were quite a bit out from shore but we could see their fins and blows but we had binoculars - fantastic.
* none seen from Diamond Head on the day we went there.

Instacart worked great for both a Costco delivery and a Foodland delivery. They texted us when they arrived so we met them at the Bell Desk. Probably the best pickers I have used as they found exactly everything we requested. (I don't always get that accuracy at home and sometimes get some odd substitutes).

Pools and spas were all open.

Parking in Marina is $1/hour. We were able to park overnight and pay for up to 24 hours so no middle of the night meter feeding.

Members of our party were able to watch the Luau at HHV from the lobby of Lagoon Tower as everyone suggested. Great suggestion! This worked out great as an elder of our party who would not have been strong enough to last for the entire dinner and show. We also had 6 in our party so not worth spending over $1000 for mediocre food.

Had a wonderful dinner at Hula Grill. Got food poisoning on fish at Chart House.

We had a fun girls afternoon at Drybar in the International Market. One woman in our party was a cancer survivor and her hair just grew back so we celebrated there. They serve drinks while they blow out your hair and then we went to dinner at Hula Grill.

 

[csodjd]

We returned recently from a wonderful stay at Lagoon Tower. Overall a wonderful visit. Thanks everyone for the updates:

Resort is a bit quieter and International travelers have not yet returned. Waikiki still busy. Boardwalk on beach is busy so wear masks.

re: Whale watching.
* none from Lagoon Tower - everyone was right about the shipping channels
* We saw whales from the North shore. They were quite a bit out from shore but we could see their fins and blows but we had binoculars - fantastic.
* none seen from Diamond Head on the day we went there.

Instacart worked great for both a Costco delivery and a Foodland delivery. They texted us when they arrived so we met them at the Bell Desk. Probably the best pickers I have used as they found exactly everything we requested. (I don't always get that accuracy at home and sometimes get some odd substitutes).

Pools and spas were all open.

Parking in Marina is $1/hour. We were able to park overnight and pay for up to 24 hours so no middle of the night meter feeding.

Members of our party were able to watch the Luau at HHV from the lobby of Lagoon Tower as everyone suggested. Great suggestion! This worked out great as an elder of our party who would not have been strong enough to last for the entire dinner and show. We also had 6 in our party so not worth spending over $1000 for mediocre food.

Had a wonderful dinner at Hula Grill. Got food poisoning on fish at Chart House.

We had a fun girls afternoon at Drybar in the International Market. One woman in our party was a cancer survivor and her hair just grew back so we celebrated there. They serve drinks while they blow out your hair and then we went to dinner at Hula Grill.

Saw whales from the Kaneohe Klipper golf course on the north side of Oahu last week. No binoculars needed.

 

[Nowaker]

Waikiki still busy. Boardwalk on beach is busy so wear masks.

Speaking of masks, what is the reality of indoor masking in Honolulu and Maui? Not asking about requirements (I know what they are), but about the reality. For example, Nevada had an indoor mask mandate during Christmas and NYE but very few bothered me about them. Mostly restaurants, so I had to mask up to walk from the front to the table, then back to normal. HGVC front desks - only 1 out of 3 Vegas properties I stayed at said a word about a mask. So I'm wondering how it looks in Hawaii.

 

[letsgobobby]

Speaking of masks, what is the reality of indoor masking in Honolulu and Maui? Not asking about requirements (I know what they are), but about the reality. For example, Nevada had an indoor mask mandate during Christmas and NYE but very few bothered me about them. Mostly restaurants, so I had to mask up to walk from the front to the table, then back to normal. HGVC front desks - only 1 out of 3 Vegas properties I stayed at said a word about a mask. So I'm wondering how it looks in Hawaii.

In December it was nearly 100% compliance and enforcement.

 

[csodjd]

Speaking of masks, what is the reality of indoor masking in Honolulu and Maui? Not asking about requirements (I know what they are), but about the reality. For example, Nevada had an indoor mask mandate during Christmas and NYE but very few bothered me about them. Mostly restaurants, so I had to mask up to walk from the front to the table, then back to normal. HGVC front desks - only 1 out of 3 Vegas properties I stayed at said a word about a mask. So I'm wondering how it looks in Hawaii.

I can only speak about in and around Waikiki mostly and Oahu a bit. I would say compliance is pretty good. I’ve seen a few examples of someone not wearing a mask and being asked/reminded that they need to put a mask on and they do. I’ve not seen any confrontations since there is pretty good compliance with whatever the rule(s) happen to be.

 

[pedro47]

Can you suggest some nice restaurants near the resort? I know food is subject.

 

[pedro47]

Saw whales from the Kaneohe Klipper golf course on the north side of Oahu last week. No binoculars needed.

What this a ship sailing tour or just a view from the Kaneohe Kipper golf course while playing golf?

 

[csodjd]

What this a ship sailing tour or just a view from the Kaneohe Kipper golf course while playing golf?

Just playing golf. It has a couple of holes along the coast and just looking out the distinctive blows of water from the whales were visible.

 

[csodjd]

Can you suggest some nice restaurants near the resort? I know food is subject.

Near HHV? Here are our three favorites: Orchids, Michel’s, and Signature. Michel’s is a bit far to walk to (a bit past the Aquarium), the other two are easy walking distance. Orchids and Michel’s are waterfront. Signature is in the 40th floor of the Ala Moana Hotel with a great view. These are higher-end, not burger places. There’s also Chart House for prime rib, very close to HHV, and below it is Harbor Pizza (great happy hour drinks prices, $4.75 for mai tai). Oh, and for ice cream, avoid Lapperts and go across the street to the Ilikai Hotel where you’ll find Dave’s Ice Cream (special prices on Tuesdays). Better ice cream for half the cost.

 

[Shmiddy]

Near HHV? Here are our three favorites: Orchids, Michel’s, and Signature. Michel’s is a bit far to walk to (a bit past the Aquarium), the other two are easy walking distance. Orchids and Michel’s are waterfront. Signature is in the 40th floor of the Ala Moana Hotel with a great view. These are higher-end, not burger places. There’s also Chart House for prime rib, very close to HHV, and below it is Harbor Pizza (great happy hour drinks prices, $4.75 for mai tai). Oh, and for ice cream, avoid Lapperts and go across the street to the Ilikai Hotel where you’ll find Dave’s Ice Cream (special prices on Tuesdays). Better ice cream for half the cost.

Orchids was great - very good food and service, and they had live music on the grassy area in the evenings. Charthouse also good food and service. Just beware, both places watered down the drinks FWIW. For a quick lunch or casual dinner, Tropics Bar and Grill never disappoints.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

YMMV...Two people in our party got food poisoning at Chart House. Although we have eaten there in the past with no issue we will not return.

 

[pedro47]

Near HHV? Here are our three favorites: Orchids, Michel’s, and Signature. Michel’s is a bit far to walk to (a bit past the Aquarium), the other two are easy walking distance. Orchids and Michel’s are waterfront. Signature is in the 40th floor of the Ala Moana Hotel with a great view. These are higher-end, not burger places. There’s also Chart House for prime rib, very close to HHV, and below it is Harbor Pizza (great happy hour drinks prices, $4.75 for mai tai). Oh, and for ice cream, avoid Lapperts and go across the street to the Ilikai Hotel where you’ll find Dave’s Ice Cream (special prices on Tuesdays). Better ice cream for half the cost.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[csodjd]

YMMV...Two people in our party got food poisoning at Chart House. Although we have eaten there in the past with no issue we will not return.

While I don't doubt it happened, given how busy they are and the amount of food they turn over each night, I have to believe that's quite an unusual occurrence. There just isn't opportunity for things to go stale or sit out. I've been to the Waikiki Chart House many times and never had a bad meal (though I can have 3 mai tai's downstairs below the Chart House for the cost of one in the Chart House).

For Valentine's Day we're walking down to Ruth's Chris in Waikiki. Regular menu. I appreciate that.

 

[slip]

While I don't doubt it happened, given how busy they are and the amount of food they turn over each night, I have to believe that's quite an unusual occurrence. There just isn't opportunity for things to go stale or sit out. I've been to the Waikiki Chart House many times and never had a bad meal (though I can have 3 mai tai's downstairs below the Chart House for the cost of one in the Chart House).

For Valentine's Day we're walking down to Ruth's Chris in Waikiki. Regular menu. I appreciate that.

That was the first Ruth Chris I had ever been to. We thought it was great.

 

[ljmiii]

Can you suggest some nice restaurants near the resort?

My #1 and #2 suggestions are both Japanese. Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo in the Prince Hotel has staggeringly good sushi at 'affordable' prices. But you need to make reservations early - in the summer we made them 60 days out and they sold out quickly thereafter.

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu on Beach Walk has by far the best Tonkatsu (fried pork) I have ever eaten - moist, tender, and flavorful beyond belief. Unfortunately, the reservation situation is (or at least was) similar to Katsumidori Sushi. However, the next door sister restaurant, Yoshoku Bistro, also has Ginza Bairin's Tonkatsu on their menu and is much more accessible. That said be forewarned, Yoshoku itself is IMHO inedible to the western palate. It's a Japanese take on Western food first developed in the late 1800s and repopularized after WWII. 'Comfort food' that brings back memories of their childhood to Japanese visitors, you'll see items called spaghetti, croquettes, hamburger, German (potato) salad, etc. that just taste wrong to Westerners.

Just behind those is the afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider. Truly amazing food as you look out to the ocean.

Closer to home and as @Shmiddy said, the Tropics Bar in the HHV offers a very pleasant experience (other than the wait). You get to sit outside under the netting and enjoy great drinks and perfectly fine food at (for beachfront Waikiki) reasonable prices. Another choice just down the road for great beer and reasonable food is the Waikiki Brewing Company.