HHV visit

[presley]

Did the owner update today for $200 activity dollars and a full day in a Tapa Pool cabana. If you haven't seen, the Tapa pool underwent a $4.something million renovation. They price the cabana at $195 a day. Not a bad haul for 40 minutes.

That's a good trade off. Did they try to sell you anything?

 

[TUGmember100]

Yesterday, we rented a paddle board for the day and the kids absolutely went nuts over it. They all took turns with it (and I was proud, sharing it quite well), and Jack in particular couldn't spend enough time on the water. Caroline (age 10 -- 11 next month) took great pride in paddling me around the lagoon, and it gave us a great opportunity to just talk about things. Priceless opportunity.

Best,

Greg

Did you rent the paddleboard on-site? If so, do you remember how much it cost? We'd like to paddle the kids around in the lagoon too. I'm tempted to buy the groupons for the rentals for $22 for the full day off-site...but would be willing to pay more for the convenience of just having to return the paddleboard at the rental hut. Thanks again!

 

[GregT]

Did you rent the paddleboard on-site? If so, do you remember how much it cost? We'd like to paddle the kids around in the lagoon too. I'm tempted to buy the groupons for the rentals for $22 for the full day off-site...but would be willing to pay more for the convenience of just having to return the paddleboard at the rental hut. Thanks again!

It was $100 for the all-day rental. I believe it was $35 for one hour, $55 for two hours or $100 for the full day.

That groupon price is pretty appealing, but I think lugging that paddleboard around from the off-site location would not be a simple exercise.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Best,

Greg

 

[TUGmember100]

Thanks for the info! Maybe a two hour rental on-site would be sufficient...maybe not worth lugging it across town (groupon also includes a roof rack rental...haha). And if two hours is not enough, and if the groupon is still available...we'll get it for second day.

 

[slum808]

Which company was that Groupon with?

Thanks

 

[TUGmember100]

Which company was that Groupon with?

Thanks

Souled Out Surf
http://www.groupon.com/deals/souled-out-surf-honolulu

 

[GregT]

We've now been in 1668, 2061, 2370 and now 1969.

All,

I'm back and extending the 2013 thread.

This place rocks. Checked in yesterday, this time we are in room 2070.

Stating the obvious, identical position as last year's 2370, just a little lower. At this point, I absolutely love the Marina View with the sunset, and even though I always make the same room request: 1) Not DR 68 2) Highest floor possible and 3) Prefer Diamond Head side, I am very happy to get the first two.

Yesterday, we met up with Zora who is staying in the 2BR Premier and gave us a quick tour of that unit. All the units here at HHV are terrific, and that front unit is really nice. Jonell just kind of shakes her head about my enthusiasm over these things (but as a beneficiary, certainly doesn't mind).

Today, we are meeting up at Tropics at 6pm with Slum808, Frank808, hopefully Zora and one other (who's TUG avatar escapes -- funny that I know her real name but not the avatar). Any locals are welcome to join us!

I will try to get more information on new construction, to see if they are still building here. I don't see any indication of activity, and I thought they were supposed to have started by now.

Please let me know if there any general questions. With respect to the other poster, asking about how long a walk to GW from the different hotels, I agree with the comment made in that post -- even Kalia is easy -- maybe 2 minutes going through Rainbow Bazaar. All the hotels have very manageable access to GW.

Best,

Greg

 

[Ron98GT]

You can do the owner update and get 2 free luau tickets. I assume that it's still on the lawn/grass right outside the Lagoon Tower, which is where we saw in in December. See it before it goes back on top of the parking garage.

 

[GregT]

A couple observations about HHV:

1) They are re-doing the mosaic on the Rainbow Tower. They've done the North end of the building already and have scaffolding up on the South end. If the South End looks like the North End, we will miss the old mosaic.

2) They opened the Snack Bar by the paradise pool -- it's called Pickle Proto, or something like that. We've not tried it yet.

3) Rumor here is that they are going to build the timeshare that is over at the Bus Depot but that the redevelopment of the Rainbow Bazaar (and new timeshare tower) are on indefinite hold.

The property looks great -- nice meeting tonight with Slum808 and Paulette -- Frank808 couldn't make it and Zora had to pick up family at the airport. Nice to get together!

Best,

Greg

 

[slum808]

Greg, it was great seeing you and Jonell again. The Staradvertiser had an article on the mosaic last week. The tiles are smaller which will double the amount. The colors are supposed to be brighter restoring the mural to its original vibrance.

Hope the weather clears up a bit for you.

Steve

 

[GregT]

All,

I'm back and extending the 2013 thread.

We've previously been in 1668, 2061, 2370, 1969 and 2070.t

All,

Extending an old thread again....

HHV really is one of my favorite places in the timeshare universe. We checked in Friday and enjoy it as much as ever. The fireworks on Friday were definitely front and center -- but it was so windy that they would shoot the firework up and it would shortly disappear behind the Rainbow Tower.

I made a tactical blunder that I hope all TUGgers can learn from -- and not repeat. We are staying in a 2BR Premier, and when I called to make a room request, I requested 1) Diamond Head side 2) Highest Floor possible. I should have reversed it.

We checked into room 566 (fifth floor), which is a very low floor. They followed my request (it is on DH side) so it is my mistake, but the view was not good. There is a big palm tree that really obstructed the view. I asked at the front desk about any possibility to move higher on either side, and after asking twice (but I don't think I was a jerk about it) on Saturday morning they moved us up to 2066. I don't know why they did it, but it was greatly appreciated.

The view from 2066 is spectacular -- if this unit was a condominium, it would probably sell for $3M-$4M (and have a monthly HOA fee that would be staggering). We are very fortunate to be able to access this property with HGVC points.

They've made a couple of minor tweaks -- there is now a little sign (attached to lounge chairs) that an attendant will flip up when the chair is unattended. This is to prevent chair hogging as people drop their stuff at 8am and then disappear for two hours. I will be curious to see how effective it is. And the restaurant by the Paradise Pool is open, but I think that has been posted before.

The furniture in the room is showing wear and tear -- I hope there is a soft goods renovation in the works. Even Jonell commented on it and she's pretty tolerant of normal wear.

I will look for any other notable changes, but think this place rocks!

Best,

Greg

 

[HatTrick]

Thanks for the update, Greg.

For those who have never called ahead with a room request, can you tell us what number you call and how far in advance you make the request?

Mahalo!

 

[GregT]

Thanks for the update, Greg.

For those who have never called ahead with a room request, can you tell us what number you call and how far in advance you make the request?

Mahalo!

HatTrick,

I call (808) 953-2700 about three weeks in advance, and ask for the Lagoon Tower Front Desk. I then give them my confirmation number and put in the room request. The only tricky thing is to make sure that I am connected to the Lagoon Tower versus the hotel, as sometimes I get transferred to the hotel operator.

I note that this is different from the Marriott, where I call and ask for Room Assignments, and then give them my request. However, calling the front desk at Hilton has always been productive, and again, this time it was my error by not clarifying that I needed a high floor > X floor.

For the next time, I will request a floor that is higher than the 8th floor. Anything above 8th floor appears to be a luxury, and even 866 would have a beautiful unobstructed view. But 20th floor is spectacular.

If I think about floors at other properties (MOC: Maui Ocean Club and Hyatt Kaanapali), they premium price the floors that are 8th floor and above (but they are only 12 floors, versus 24 -- so a different experience). But we (I) should not quibble if we are above the tree line.

Best,

Greg

 

[bastroum]

We just spent 3 weeks in Unit 1766. This building is my favorite place to stay on Oahu. The furniture and carpeting in our unit was worn also. I was told that all the furniture and carpeting will be replaced later this year. Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[HatTrick]

I call (808) 953-2700 about three weeks in advance, and ask for the Lagoon Tower Front Desk.

I have a note from the past that says to call 808-947-8686. I wonder what the difference is.

 

[GregT]

I have a note from the past that says to call 808-947-8686. I wonder what the difference is.

Your number is probably more accurate -- mine is from the internet so nothing special about that number.

Best,

Greg

 

[GregT]

We just spent 3 weeks in Unit 1766.

That is fantastic.....I hope to do that one day!!!!

 

[buzglyd]

That is fantastic.....I hope to do that one day!!!!

In April we stayed on the 22nd floor for 3 nights and then moved up to the Penthouse for 4 nights. The fireworks are amazing from up there!

Greg, I just want to know how many times you'll be eating at Alan Wong's?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

All,

I made a tactical blunder that I hope all TUGgers can learn from -- and not repeat. We are staying in a 2BR Premier, and when I called to make a room request, I requested 1) Diamond Head side 2) Highest Floor possible. I should have reversed it.

We checked into room 566 (fifth floor), which is a very low floor. They followed my request (it is on DH side) so it is my mistake, but the view was not good. There is a big palm tree that really obstructed the view. I asked at the front desk about any possibility to move higher on either side, and after asking twice (but I don't think I was a jerk about it) on Saturday morning they moved us up to 2066. I don't know why they did it, but it was greatly appreciated.

The view from 2066 is spectacular -- if this unit was a condominium, it would probably sell for $3M-$4M (and have a monthly HOA fee that would be staggering). We are very fortunate to be able to access this property with HGVC points.

We have two bedroom Premier, OF booked in May. It will be our first trip to HHV.

Higher floor definitely makes sense. Would you recommend a particular side? I think there are only two units with OF views per floor, is the view really that different, or was the issue you mentioned due to being on the lower floor?

 

[buzglyd]

We have two bedroom Premier, OF booked in May. It will be our first trip to HHV.

Higher floor definitely makes sense. Would you recommend a particular side? I think there are only two units with OF views per floor, is the view really that different, or was the issue you mentioned due to being on the lower floor?

The views are pretty similar because you can see the balconies are side by side on the front of the building.

The Diamond head side gets a little more Waikiki beach and the Marina side gets a little more sunset.

More people watching from the lower floors but I prefer higher.

 

[HatTrick]

This week, Lagoon Tower suites got all-in-one (telephone/clock radio/media player) systems in each bedroom. The units also have charging ports for multiples devices.

 

[HatTrick]

We checked into room 566 (fifth floor), which is a very low floor. They followed my request (it is on DH side) so it is my mistake, but the view was not good. There is a big palm tree that really obstructed the view.

I was recently in room 467, with a view that is also obstructed by palms. My only request was "highest floor" but for a mid-week arrival, only floors 3 and 4 were available. I thought 4 would be better than 3, but maybe not--on the third floor only the tree trunks, and not the fronds, may be the only obstructions.

 

[vacationbear]

rotten views in LT

Well, how about room 360?
Fortunately we only had to spent one night in this room, our 8th night last July.

The room would have been so much nicer- if the AC would have worked...
The view south: parking garage.

The view west: shuttle pick-up station at LT entrance.
The view towards garden and beach: not bad.

 

[vacationbear]

The view towards garden and beach: not bad.

And here that view...

 

[SmithOp]

The room would have been so much nicer- if the AC would have worked...

Did you call the front desk to ask how the AC works? This gets everyone, there are magnets on the top of the sliding doors that have to be lined up just right for the AC to work.


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