Lagoon Tower compared to Grand Waikikian and Grand Islander

[linsj]

Those washer/dryer combo at GI and GW are worthless. Can be stressful doing laundry.

I thought the GW has separate washers and dryers and only GI has the combos.

 

[heitmullerj02]

Laundry was easy, we were close by, just set a timer and came back. Never that busy. Luau was on the lawn 1 night and a private party later in the week. All done by 10pm, no complaints. Loved the 22nd floor but could still hear the rooster @4:30 am

 

[heitmullerj02]

All pools open to guests, I just avoid the Lagoon pool and go to GW, recently remodeled. A little quieter.

 

[frank808]

Lagoon pool is right at the base of Lagoon and would be the closest to GW. GW does not have its own pool.

The pool in your pic above is the Tapa tower pool.


Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[dioxide45]

I believe the pool at the base of the Lagoon Tower is actually called the Paradise Pool? The hours are more limited and people are lined up before 9am when it opens and make a mad dash for pool loungers. GI does have a pool that is only available to GI guests.

 

[ljmiii]

I believe the pool at the base of the Lagoon Tower is actually called the Paradise Pool?...people are lined up before 9am...

It is indeed. We usually do the pool in the late afternoon after the day's activities when things are a little less hectic.

 

[h2oflyboy]

2BP Grand Waikikiian or Grand Islander?

for young adults (20 something). Lagoon and Hokulani not available for these dates.

tugbbs.com

Here’s a similar thread GI v GW!

I’ve stayed at all three (Penthouses and regular rooms). My rankings are GW, LT, GI. You can read my thoughts here https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/2bp-grand-waikikiian-or-grand-islander.376067/#post-3189522

 

[iftravel]

Actually I never stayed at HHV. It's way too busy there. Planning my next visit to Ko Olina but could add a short trip there. What does HHV offer best that draws you there?

 

[ljmiii]

Actually I never stayed at HHV. It's way too busy there. Planning my next visit to Ko Olina but could add a short trip there. What does HHV offer best that draws you there?

The best part of HHV is that its a great resort in the middle of a 'city with a beach' with a wide variety of amazing dining and activities. Lots of stuff to see and do that is walkable and greater Honolulu offers an even wider variety of delights a short trolley, bus, or taxi/Uber/Lyft ride away.

In short, Honolulu is a multicultural urban paradise with a plethora of Hawaiiana and WWII history and some of the best food in the world. Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Diamond Head, the Bishop, Hanauma bay, Queen Emma Summer Palace, the Pali lookout, and Punchbowl (aka the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) are some of the things that are close that we love.

Waikiki and downtown Honolulu are definitely "way too busy" for some people. But we *love* it...particularly as a midway point between NYC and other destinations like Waiohai on Kauai.

 

[muscae]

The washer/dryer combo at Gi and GW are only in the ADA rooms. Most rooms have the separate stacked washer/dryers. I agree the combos are awful, which is why I avoid Elara in Vegas.

 

[linsj]

The washer/dryer combo at Gi and GW are only in the ADA rooms. Most rooms have the separate stacked washer/dryers. I agree the combos are awful, which is why I avoid Elara in Vegas.

At least Elara has a laundry room since the studios don't have washers/dryers.

 

[SmithOp]

Actually I never stayed at HHV. It's way too busy there. Planning my next visit to Ko Olina but could add a short trip there. What does HHV offer best that draws you there?

Check out Waikiki walks on YouTube by Hawaii People channel.

 

[iftravel]

Check out Waikiki walks on YouTube by Hawaii People channel.

Yeah that’s what I did. I just see people.

 

[h2oflyboy]

Actually I never stayed at HHV. It's way too busy there. Planning my next visit to Ko Olina but could add a short trip there. What does HHV offer best that draws you there?

The availability of 100s of restaurants within walking distance. Our favorite is Ramen Nakamura - try their Ox Tail, next to the Tommy Bahama’s. There’s also a cheap dive bar, Arnold’s. Not that I’ve used it, but high-end shopping. We ate at KokoHead (Lee Anne Wong - Top Chef) for the 2nd time in 4 years. It’s a $12.00 uber ride.

As for HHV - we eat maybe 2 times in the village for a week long stay.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Has anyone tried Bali Oceanfront at HHV? The reviews seemed mixed, which is not uncommon for hotel restaurants. We usually hit Tropics or Frescos if we have dinner on property..

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Yeah that’s what I did. I just see people.

I follow this channel on YouTube, some of their walks spend a lot of time walking through the HHV and the immediate area, while others are focused on different parts of Waikiki. But it is always just walking, no review or commentary.

 

[SmithOp]

Yeah that’s what I did. I just see people.

Ah, but once you've been there you start to see landmarks like stores and restaurants, not just the pretty girls in bikinis.

 

[SmithOp]

During our visit this year we went to the Cirque de Soleil show Auna at the Outrigger Beachcomber, it was very good and easy to book online. On the walk there we discovered the Japanese food court with lots of casual dining options.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Bali Oceanfront at HHV?

Is that actually open? I've never gone by there at dinner time. It looks deserted all day long when I walk by. Maybe there is a secret entrance to a secret room?

 

[ljmiii]

Is that actually open? I've never gone by there at dinner time. It looks deserted all day long when I walk by. Maybe there is a secret entrance to a secret room?

It's only open for dinner.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

The best part of HHV is that its a great resort in the middle of a 'city with a beach' with a wide variety of amazing dining and activities. Lots of stuff to see and do that is walkable and greater Honolulu offers an even wider variety of delights a short trolley, bus, or taxi/Uber/Lyft ride away.
In short, Honolulu is a multicultural urban paradise with a plethora of Hawaiiana and WWII history and some of the best food in the world. Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Diamond Head, the Bishop, Hanauma bay, Queen Emma Summer Palace, the Pali lookout, and Punchbowl (aka the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) are some of the things that are close that we love.
Waikiki and downtown Honolulu are definitely "way too busy" for some people. But we *love* it...particularly as a midway point between NYC and other destinations like Waiohai on Kauai.

That was remarkably well-written. I totally agree, but I also totally understand if people PREFER a non-urban vacation. Heck, I spent 160 or maybe 180 nights on Maui over 20 yrs, and I never stayed in Kihei or Lahaina proper.
The funny part of the discussion is when people claim Waikiki / Honolulu isn't the "real Hawaii". You can take a long walk from HHV and see more "real Hawaiians" in 1 day than you can in a week at Ko Olina or on Kaanapali ... unless you're talking about Donovan's Reef version of "real Hawaiians"
I think I remember another film about a Nantucket whaler with the stereotypical Boston preacher landing in Hawaii. Was that based on Michener? just called "Hawaii"?

 

[WaikikiFirst]

What does HHV offer best that draws you there?

Hugely subjective, but try taking a nice, long walk from Ko Olina to Chinatown.
What's the best and closest Asian grocery store near Ko Olina?
How far can you swim unimpeded in 5 ft of ocean at Ko Olina?
Da Bus

 

[Hoodwink]

Has anyone tried Bali Oceanfront at HHV? The reviews seemed mixed

Been there several times, both as "Bali Steak and Seafood" and "Bali Oceanfront". I believe that it became Bali Oceanfront post covid. Last time I was there was when travel to Hawaii had just reopened after covid. I talked to the manager since I had been to the previous Bali's and he said they were still working out the new menu and figuring out their new identity. That being said, it was disappointing compared to what it had been. I'm guessing that some of the harsher reviews are people like me that had been to "Bali Steak and Seafood" in the same location and were a bit disappointed with the new iteration.

Previously, you got a meal to match the view. Now it seems the view is the draw, and the meal is what I expected out of a middle of the road restaurant trying to move into the fine dining category. It just wasn't a good as I expected it to be. I think that was the last time I went there ('21), though I've been back to the HHV several times since.

 

[ljmiii]

Been there several times, both as "Bali Steak and Seafood" and "Bali Oceanfront"...Previously, you got a meal to match the view...

Well that's sad news. We didn't dine at Bali every trip but always felt it was an experience that justified the expense. It just wasn't always the choice we wanted to make out of our 7 precious dinners in Honolulu given all the amazing options available.

We're headed back early next year and we'll see how we (and more recent reviews) feel about dining at the restaurant.

 

[h2oflyboy]

Has anyone tried Bali Oceanfront at HHV? The reviews seemed mixed, which is not uncommon for hotel restaurants. We usually hit Tropics or Frescos if we have dinner on property..

Yes, Twice for dinner and once for a breakfast meal.

I did a Thanksgiving meal the first visit. The next dinner meal, I took a pic of my family at sunset - the picture was so perfect it looked like the background was from a JCPenny’s screen. The food was delicious.

The last meal was a breakfast - HHV closed their buffet on the ground floor of the Rainbow Tower during the pandemic and it has never re-opened. We ate breakfast at Bali’s the same floor as evening restaurant but it was facing the Lagoon. The breakfast was overpriced and the food was awful.

During our last week’s visit Bali’s looked closed, then the next night is was open. Checked the hours closed Sun-Tue, open W-Sat 5P-9P.

Hope this helps.